2006-11-14 23:18:48 · 23 answers · asked by amy d 1 in Pets ➔ Cats
Honey, haven't you got enough going on in your life at the moment with a new baby?
Instead of getting a kitten, why not look to adopt an older cat. One that won't be tearing around and ripping up the place.
2006-11-14 23:20:22 · answer #1 · answered by sarah071267 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Hmmm.... This is a good question. First off, it's probably best to already have an older cat when the baby is born, that way you already know the habits and attitude the cat has, before you bring Baby home. I've seen cats who tend to sit and watch over a sleeping baby, like a protective mother. Some animals (I've seen dogs do it too!) see the baby as an extention of you, their owner and best friend, and instinctfully know that if something's wrong with the baby, they have to let you know about it, and watch to make sure you're not making Baby scream worse.
Kittens on the other hand, don't have any "mothering skills" because they themselves need a mother. They are more likely to consider the baby as a "play toy" rather than your pride and joy. Kittens don't know how to fully control their claws, and may accidently scratch Baby. The old wives tale that cats can sufficate Baby, I can't say I've ever actually heard of proof of that. Granted, I know a few cats I've owned did like to sleep above someone's head on their pillow, or under the covers to hide, but never slept on our faces.
Overall, I would not recommend getting a kitten, or an older cat - YET. Wait till the little tike is old enough to lug the cat around, or get away from him/her when it needs to. It would, however be a great learning object for Baby, on how to treat animals, and how to be careful. Maybe wait till Baby is about a year though. That will give you enough time to really connect with Baby, and give Baby enough time to learn to walk and talk, and learn what NO!!! means!
2006-11-15 08:12:11 · answer #2 · answered by Sweets 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I wouldn't get a kitten with a baby purely because you do not know what it's nature will be. You could end up with a crawling baby and a cat that's trying to scratch it's eyes out.
Get a cat, one that is good with children. It may take some time but will be worth it.
BTW never leave a baby and a cat / dog alone together, it's just not worth the chance that bab will pull the animal's tail and the animal will react.
2006-11-17 00:47:46 · answer #3 · answered by sashs.geo 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Providing your baby is not allergic to cats anytime should be safe to get a kitten. Make sure you never leave your baby alone with the kitten though as little kitty claws really hurt!!!!
2006-11-15 07:47:37 · answer #4 · answered by JOANNE C 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
anytime you want !! cats do not suck the breath out of babies, what they are doing is licking up the milk droolies. its an old wives tale. cats are generally fine around babies- no different then any other animal. one thing you may want to think about is the litter box. getting a cat before the baby is crawling means the litter box is there before the baby therefore much easier to teach as a "no- no" waiting until the baby is exploring then putting a litter box down is kinda like setting out a new treasure for the baby to explore - and generally much harder to teach the baby no . oh and never ever let the baby see you clean it. - babys learn by example and no matter how many times you say NO - if they have seen you "play" with it they are going to try to also.
2006-11-15 07:29:44 · answer #5 · answered by kayann01 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't think this will be a problem. We take many precautions when we have a little baby. I do think though that you should keep the cat away from the babies cot (but I'm sure you will) and make sure that it cannot enter the babies bedroom at night. I had a kitten when my son was a baby and never had a problem, but I was very cautious.
2006-11-17 19:47:15 · answer #6 · answered by Dnew3 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's safe now! Kittens are usually very good with babies; that's an old wives tale that they'll suck the air out of your baby. I had kittens with all of my children and they were just fine, even as infants.
2006-11-15 07:29:06 · answer #7 · answered by grandm 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Cat's sitting on babies to suffocate them is an old wives tale but kittens are playful and curious - if your baby is moving around - the cat may think she's trying to play and accidentally scratch or bite her.
2006-11-15 09:01:18 · answer #8 · answered by Jonela 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
At least wait until the baby is on solids, and even then you'll have to cut the kitten up into really small bits.
2006-11-15 07:29:55 · answer #9 · answered by Ask the chicken 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I wouldn't your baby might treat the kitten like a toy pulling it around and such. Wait till their older and can help care for the cat
2006-11-15 11:45:22 · answer #10 · answered by Kellyanna 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋