I'm almost 8 months pregnant, Is it ok to get a cat?

Question

I want to get a cat but my parents say its bad for the baby because they can suffocate them or something like that..

Answer 1

You don't want the cat around the crib. They can suffocate the baby if they got in the crib with him or her.

It's okay for you to have one, though, as long as you have someone else change the litter box to keep you from contracting toxoplasmosis.

Congrats on your new addition.

Answer 2

Of greater concern is the toxoplasmosis that you get from cat poo. This crosses the placenta and can be fatal for a baby. I would wait until after the baby is born so that you aren't so vulnerable 'cause you would be going through the whole kitty litter training stuff with a new cat. Not something you want to do while 8 months pregnant! It is true that cats can suffocate a baby. I remember waking up when I was about 15 and my sister's cat was on my face! A baby wouldn't be able to move the cat. You would have to either keep the cat outside when the baby is sleeping or else isolate the baby in a room with a door when it sleeps. Sounds like a lot of bother I say just wait and see how occupied you are with a new born. I don't think you'll want the hassle of a cat after that!

Answer 3

Cats are not harmful in any way to a baby, unless he is allergic. If you have a strong family history of allergies to animal dander, or asthma, that would be something to consider.
A cat could accidentally scratch a baby while trying to play, I suppose, but usually a cat will just sniff the baby and walk away in disgust. It's not likely to be a problem until the toddler starts pulling on the tail and ears.
Of course you have to avoid cleaning the cat litter box, even in your last month.
The main thing, though -- my opinion-- is that it may be too many changes in your household at once. Soon you will be so preoccupied with a new baby, you'll hardly be able to enjoy your new cat. I'd wait a little while if I were you.

Answer 4

Cats suffocating the baby is an old wives tale. I would wait until after you have the baby though. it is easier to introduce a new cat to a baby than a cat to a new baby. Also, any pet is a lot of work and you might not have time to give to a cat while you are taking care of a newborn.

Answer 5

Cats aren't bad for a baby other than the possible scratching as the kid gets older, but since you're pregnant you need to be careful if you do get one, not to handle the dirty cat litter. The wise tale is that the cats will suck the air out the baby, but I had a cat and all he was doing was smelling the milk on my baby's breath, not suffocating her.

Answer 6

Cats have often been demonized (and apparently still are) for suffocating babies in their cribs. This was before the recognition of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome in infants who were found dead in their cribs.
Cats will jump into babies' cribs to snuggle, bat at waving arms and legs, and, yes, sometimes may lick any milk the baby burps up.
I advise that a net be put over the crib to keep the cat out, otherwise the infant could get scratched by a playful cat. The cat should have a full physical examination and be checked for fleas (which can cause chicken pox-like bites on babies), for ringworm (which is transmissible) and for toxoplasmosis and roundworm.
(Given free choice between plain water and a bowl of milk, cats generally head for the water unless milk has been the only liquid offered to them from weaning onwards. Put more simply, unless the cat has been taught to like milk, it generally won't seek out that substance on its own.)

Answer 7

Its fine. That is an old wives tale. I had a 2 year old cat when my baby was born. And now I have a 2nd cat who is 5 months old. Don't let the cat in the baby's crib - ever - even before the baby comes. And don't leave them in a room alone together until you know your cat's personality. But its perfectly safe. Ask any veterinarian.

But let me warn you...although I am an animal lover, now that I am a mom...my pets annoy me. Even the one who was my "baby" irritates me to no end. You might want to wait on the pet until after the baby is born.

Answer 8

The cat thing isn't likely.

I wouldn't get a kitten though. My cat wanted NOTHING to do with my baby for over a year.

In fact, my son was 1.5 years old before the cat and him would lay in the same bed together.

They might be saying no cause they know you can't mess with a litterbox while pregnant (or nursing for that fact!)

They also have crib tents for your crib to keep cats out.

But if it were me, I wouldn't take on a new cat this late in your pregnancy, unless the cat was already comfortable with you (as in getting it from a friend or family member!)

Answer 9

Seriously, that is an old wives tale, that is not going to happen. If you are worried about that there is this neat little thing you can buy called a crib tent which keeps pets and bugs out of the crib and your baby in it when they get older. While you are pregnant though you can not touch kitty litter so you have to make sure someone else does it cause it can toxoplasmosis.

Answer 10

since you're a month away from being due i would say it would be too late at this point to get a cat. you don't have the apporpriate time to get to know the cats personality. a cat is alot less responsibility than a dog but they are high maintenance in a sense and do as they please. it would take more than a month to learn what triggers your cat if it is aggressive, which having a newborn around may not be the best. thats just my opinion.