i have adopted a kitten . How can i save my 1 year old baby from the kittens germs? Do they spread in air?

Question

do the kittens germs spread in air? I have heard that they can prove to be fatal for a toddler. Any suggestions??

Note: This question is only for experienced people. Thnx

And 2ndly i want to ask that how can i make my kitty poo in the litter box?? the lady from which i bought him said that he is litter trained. But im very confused... it has been 4 hours and he hasn't pooed yet. i don't know if he knows where to poo or not. Although i have left him several times in the litter box but he comes back. I don't know if he doesn't know that he has to poo there or its just that he doesn't feel like pooing yet :S

Answer 1

The most important thing you can do to protect your toddler is to get the kitten in to a vet, and have her checked and get her a clean bill of health. Chances are she is perfectly healthy. But the vet can reassure you of this.

Other than that, every home has "native flora and fauna" -- its own culture of bugs, bacteria, etc. Every home is a little different. When you bring an animal into your home, over time, he contributes a little bit to the household bacteria collection. Interestingly enough, babies develop tolerances to the native flora and fauna of their homes, and if this little kitten you've brought home was purchesed from a person who trained him and kept him clean, and if he is healthy, he is not going to bring anything into your home that can harm your baby.

There are alarmists who can point out all the illnesses that can transfer from cats to humans, but in fact, a healthy animal isn't going to transfer anything to your baby. I have done some work with several rescue groups here in NYC, people who rescue, heal and adopt out thousands and thousands of cats. I have never, ever, ever actually seen or even heard of a rescuer (people who get scratched and bitten and deal with animals freshly taken from the streets) who got even a little ill from any interaction with a cat -- other than a small, local infection from a scratch, and those heal with Neosporin.

People with babies adopt regularly, and the kitten gets dressed up and rough-housed with and kissed and slept with. And there are never any negative health consequences. I have heard of one instance where a woman's kids came home with "pink eye" and gave it to each other, to her, to her husband, and she kind of thought the cat's eye was looking funny.

You just don't want your child in the kitty litter, and kitty litter is such an unappealing thing, that you probably won't have any problem with your toddler using it as a sand box. Just to be safe, though, you may want to use a covered litter pan, that only the cat can crawl into.

With respect to when the kitten will go to the bathroom and why she hasn't used the litter yet, cats and kittens in a new environment tend to take a while to go to the bathroom for the first time. In nature, cats are prey as well as predators, and their excreta are strong-smelling because of their high protein diet, so it is instinctive when they are in new territory (your home) that they are reluctant to go potty right away, until they are sure they are safe. A truly frightened cat can hold its poop and pee for a day or more.

I'm sure your kitten isn't frightened, but caution is instinctual in a new environment, and if the person from whom you purchased this kitten said that he is litter trained, and you have shown him where the litter pan is, he knows where to find it when he needs it. Trust him a little. Cats don't like to leave a stinky mess.

Don't worry about your kitten and your toddler with respect to bacteria and viruses. But do learn how to trim his claws, so that if he play-smacks your baby (kittens bat things with their paws), there are no points on the claws to make inadvertant scratches. You can ask the vet, and he can show you how to trim the claws.

Answer 2

Litter training:

We trained ours by doing it this way. (At first put the litter box in the same room where you feed her/him) Feed her. Sit there and wait until she is done. When she is, place her in the box. She might not do (If you just brought her home tonight, it will be a few days until she does poo) it right then, but at least you are telling her where. At first our kitten played around in it. The first actual bathroom use was exciting for us. You will need to do this EVERYTIME you feed her until you feel she is ready. Then move the litter box, and for the first few times... take her to the litter box.

It took our kitten about 3 or 4 days to learn.

Answer 3

I've never heard of animal germs being toxic. The current info is that exposure to pets like dogs and cats to babies/toddlers helps keep them from developing asthma later in childhood.

Kittens themselves don't throw off germs, they may WALK through anything on the floor, including salt tracked in with winter boots, and anything in the litter box, but they do clean their feet if they've been taught to groom by their mom.

Unless the baby is allergic to pet dander,which is pretty rare this young in life, a kitten should be no problem to a baby.

Answer 4

Kittens don't have fatal germs. the only danger cats prove is to pregnant women if they get in contact with their feces.

but kittens won't hurt your 1 year old. your baby will probably love petting it and playing with it.

also, your kitten might not have had to poo yet, just give it time. just pick it up and put it in it's litter box as much as you can so it knows exactly where it is.

Answer 5

No worries, the kitten will not give germs to your baby. Cats are like self-cleaning ovens, they're very clean.

As far as the litter box, now that he knows where it is, he WILL use it. Cats naturally like to cover their pee and poo. The litter is perfect. Relax and play with him. It will work out fine.

Answer 6

I have never, ever heard of a child getting sick from the germs of a kitten. Here's an article on kids and pets:

Answer 7

your question should read, how do I save the kitten from the baby?....Had four kids and cats with all of them. Just make sure he/she knows the litter box is off limits and to stay out of the cat food...Otherwise, you should be okay...

but do watch your child for allergic reactions. Some children cannot handle the pet dander that cats give off. Watch for itchness, redness, and swelling anywhere on his body.

Answer 8

When my Grandchildren were born there was a cat in the house and the kids were sick a lot. Found a home for kitty, kids much better now. All the rugs in the house were ruined. Cost 3-4 thousand to replace. What they don't tell you about cats is that they will re-mark their territory every time another cat or dog walks by the window. And cats think the whole house is their territory, not just their litter box.

http://www.boingboing.net/2006/01/22/moodaltering-cat-par.html

I wouldn't take chances but it is up to you.

Answer 9

you know that the kitten is the one who should be scared. god, lady, dont you know how babies treat kittens? they try to chew on it, pull its ears, pinch it, scream at it, pull its tail, dump food on it, etc.

and you are worried if invisible germs that don't even exist could hurt your baby. get rid of the kitten-give it to someone to take care of one.

Answer 10

If you already are fretting about that and so germ-conscious then maybe you shouldn't have adopted a pet right now.