Our cat usually sleeps with us and pretty much does as she pleases around our house. What needs to change once the baby comes home? Thanks!
2007-01-27 09:01:59 · 8 answers · asked by lysistrata411 6 in Pets ➔ Cats
Setting up the baby furniture early is an excellent idea. You can let her sniff at (clean) diapers, lotions, wipes, basically anything that's going to be new, if she's curious.
You need to keep her out of baby's crib, not because of the old wive's tale about cats stealing baby's breath but because if she decides to sleep close to your baby, the baby could suffocate. The screen door idea is fantastic! She can see everything that's going on without accidently causing baby harm.
When baby comes home, it might be wise to treat your cat the way you would if you were moving into a new place with her. The baby's homecoming is a stress even for her so you may want to consider confining her to one room with all the comforts of home. Make sure she gets plenty of attention though! This will help reassure her that everything is where it belongs and you won't have to deal with a stressed out cat having accidents elsewhere in the house. As things settle down, she can gradually spend more and more time without being supervised.
If she knows her name, you might call her over while you're feeding or doing other things with your baby and give her some of her very favorite treat. This way she'll associate good things with the baby and won't resent the new member of her family. Some cats become very protective of the babies in their family. She might become one of the cats who stations herself by the baby's bedroom door and doesn't want you to go in!
2007-01-27 10:05:21 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Make sure the cat doesn't try to sleep in the crib with the baby. This should be as simple as closing the door when the baby is napping. However, I've had our crib set up for a week or so and neither of my cats has even tried to get in it.
I'm also pregnant and I am trying to get as much of the baby stuff set up as early as possible so that it doesn't freak out my cats and dog too much. That way they can get used to the furniture, the swing moving, the toys, etc. I figure it's easiest on them to change only a little bit at a time, especially since we just moved.
Oh, and be sure to give kitty plenty of love even with the new baby around!
2007-01-27 17:12:23 · answer #2 · answered by Cloth on Bum, Breastmilk in Tum! 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Discourage the kitty from sleeping in the crib. Cats are heavy to babies and can smother them if the kitty wants to cuddle too close to the baby while sleeping.
Occasionally the cat's behavior will change when it doesn't get as much attention, but other than that, it should be fine.
2007-01-27 17:07:57 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm hoping your doctor cautioned you about changing kitty litter when you are pregnant. Please don't do that. As for when the baby comes, make sure you give the cat a lot of attention so she doesn't get jealous. If you manage that properly, they will be great friends. Good luck with your new baby.
2007-01-27 17:09:25 · answer #4 · answered by W H 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would not change anything just remember to show the cat love for it may think the baby is taken it,s place. Where she could turn out to be the baby protect er.
2007-01-27 17:12:59 · answer #5 · answered by Queen Bee 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just watch it carefully, make sure it dosnt sleep near bub, It will want to investigate what is going, let it smell around, that way it gets used to bub. You dont have to change much, just only like I said make sure it dosnt sleep near bub too close.
2007-01-27 17:11:08 · answer #6 · answered by Calais 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
don't let the cat sleep with the baby she could suffocate the baby.
CONGRATS ON THE BABY!!!!
2007-01-27 17:52:37 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
put a screen door on my babies room,so my cats couldn't get in there and i good still see what was going on in there
2007-01-27 17:08:10 · answer #8 · answered by kat_luvr2003 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋