Cats and babies?

Question

I'm five months along in my pregnancy and am at the stage where my mind is a flurry of questions. I have a male cat who is neutered and was declawed before I got him. He doesn't show an interest in much of anything unless it jingles and he's not even a little bit aggressive so I'm not worried about him trying to hurt my baby but I am worried that in his curiosity he might jump into the baby's crib. I was raised around cats my whole life and the cats my mother had when I was a baby never tried to jump into my crib. How do you prevent the cat from doing that?

Toxoplasmosis is not an issue. My cat doesn't have it and just to be safe, my husband cleans the litter box daily.

Answer 1

If your cat hates being sprayed by water keep a spray bottle next to the crib. Set the crib up a few weeks before baby comes home and if you catch the cat in it, spray him down and tell him no. It won't take long for him to catch on he's not allowed in there. My cats actually don't like the crib because the mattress is plastic and it crinkles when they walk on it.

What you will have a bigger problem with is keeping the cat out of car seats and bouncy chairs and swings when the baby isn't in them. Because they are the perfect size for a cat to curl up in and nap. I've given up keeping my 3 cats out of those items when I am not around so now I just keep an old receiving blanket in them so the cat fur sticks to that and remove it when baby goes in. Plus the cats are almost as cute as my son so I haven't the heart to chase them out when they are sleeping so peacefully LOL.

My 3 cats don't pay much attention to the baby, occasionally they rub against his hand or sniff his head but that's about it. My oldest cat does have some jealousy because it always seems I have the baby in my arms when he wants to be petted. I just try and make it up to him at night after the baby is put down in his crib with some extra attention then. Other than that the cats have been fine.

Good luck!

Answer 2

I can definitely understand your worry that the cat may jump into the crib. I was also raised with cats and my mom is currently watching my 3 month old daughter in her home with 6 cats while I work. Here is what I can suggest- make sure that the crib is not close enough to a dresser or nightstand that the cat could use to get leverage to jump from. Also make sure that the crib is off the ground (buy a crib with legs). My daughters crib is about 3 1/2 or 4 feet high from the base of the legs to the top of the side rail. There is also a product on the market called a crib tent. It's a mesh material kind of like a net that you put over the crib. Check it out at http://www.babysupermall.com/main/products/tot/tot00036.html It's supposed to be a bug net but if you used a product like that I'm sure the kitty wouldn't even attempt to jump in. Hope this helps.

Answer 3

Set the crib up now. If he shows interest, begin a determined campaign of negative reinforcement: clapping hands loudly & saying NO, etc.) Train him now before the baby arrives.

Afterward, if determined, consistant training was not successful, you'll have to keep the door shut.

He's really no danger to the baby, however. Especially if you are careful about his feelings and behavior while introducing the baby to him for the first month or so.

Toxoplasmosis from litter is only a danger to the baby in the first trimester. Your cat can be tested for it at the vet. If he is negative and an indoor cat, odds are overwhelming that he will Never contract it.

Answer 4

My cat never jumps in the babies crib either....to put your mind at ease buy a monitor with the camera on it. It works at night when the lights are out as well, and you can see the whole crib.

They are $99 for one at Target, and well worth the money.

Answer 5

I have always had cats also. When my children were babies, I had no problems with the cats. I do recall once finding the cat at the bottom of the crib asleep ( baby was at the top asleep), I spanked the cat lightly, and never had anymore trouble.

Answer 6

Sometimes a cat will jump in the crib, but not very often.
Even if it did, it wouldn't hurt the baby. They might sniff him because he smells interesting, though.
I think we did have one cat that would jump in with my youngest sister, and cuddle up next to baby's back - because it was cozy, i guess. He jumped right out when baby cried. We also had cats that 'fetched' people when baby started crying! [ maybe it hurt their ears? ]

Answer 7

I would shut the door when the baby is in the crib. Also you should worry about this cat's litter. My mom tried to stay away from the litter because the smell could hurt your baby. She stayed as far away as she could, but I ended up with a scar on my eye that could, if it moves, blind me. So this is if you have an indoor cat. If it is outside and does its business outside, then you are OK .

Answer 8

My cat used to jump into my son's crib...and sleep at the foot end of it. Never bothered him, just kept him company. Of course, when my son would wake up, the cat would fly out of there.....didn't really like getting his whiskers pulled at.

Answer 9

I hope you are having someone else clean the litter box and have it where you aren't exposed to it. Toxoplasmosis is a very real threat to pregnant women w/cats. I personally love cats, but I would never allow them in the house with my children...especially small ones. I heard all those old wives tales when I was pregnant and they were enough to scare me.

Answer 10

Personally I woudn't have a cat and a baby in the same house but my advice would be never to leave the cat alone in the same room as the baby.