This article on the coexistence between the cat and the baby may not arouse too much interest right now, but I can assure you that if you have cats at home, at the moment you or your wife gets pregnant, you are going to start asking about the relationship that can exist between cats and babies.
It is logical to have doubts about the possible behavior that felines are going to have when "another" baby arrives at home, and I use the word "another" because many people treat their pets as their own sons. I'm not saying that this is a mistake, we just have to know that each animal is very different and before the baby arrives, their attitude may change.
But you don't have to be afraid, despite the fact that, as you well know, cats are animals very little given to changes in their environment, with some tips and recommendations that we propose on our site you will see how the transition is made easier for everyone and with as few casu alties as possible. Keep reading and discover coexistence between the cat and the baby along with tips for them to get along
Considerations prior to the arrival of the baby at home
So that the coexistence between cats and babies is as cordial as possible, you must take into account before the newborn I got home that the cats see them almost as if they were aliens. Basically it is because they emit strange and strident noises (such as crying), different smells, they consider the cat as a toy, in short, they present a completely unpredictable behavior, if so much so for their own parents, imagine what it has to mean for the poor cat.
By the time the baby comes home, just about any routine the cat has learned is going to be outdated right away. The adaptation for the baby will be easier, it is a rational animal that will learn based on the "trial-error" method, however for the cat it will be more difficult because is not a animal very given to changes
That's why the first moments of coexistence will be very important and of course not take one eye off both when they are close to each other. Normally if the cat doesn't like being around the baby, he will try to avoid it, but the newcomer will be curious (more than the cat itself.)
How to prevent the cat from being jealous of the baby?
It will be essential to continue paying attention to our feline, bet on improving its environmental enrichment, spending time with it and stimulating it physically and mentally. We won't be able to avoid changes, which are so undesirable for cats, but we can make him associate the arrival of the baby with positive experiences
How to introduce a baby to a cat?
The first approaches are fundamental, in fact, the first moments after the birth of the baby, it would be good to return home with some blanket or clothes that the baby has used and offer it to the cat so that it can smell it, which get familiar with the smell
It is highly recommended that while we do this, we offer the cat all our affection, praise and even treats, so that he can associate that smell with good things from the first moment. That way the coexistence between the cat and the baby will start off on the right foot.
The arrival of the baby at home
- The first moments are important, like any good curious animal worth its s alt, the cat will approach the newborn between doubt and fear, at which point we will have to be very cautious but act with great restraint, petting the cat and talking very softly. In the event that the cat tries to touch the baby, you have two options, if you trust your cat, allow it, let it see that there is no risk, in case you do not have total confidence, remove it gently, without scaring or punishing it in any way. moment.
- In the event that the cat is frightened of the little one, you should not force his behavior. Let her get over her fear of him little by little and sooner or later she will come back to the baby.
- If everything goes as it should, you should not allow the first contact to take too long, it distracts the cat's attention to other things.
How to get a cat used to a baby?
If you follow these tips you will make the relationship between baby and cat completely safe and increase their friendship as the child grows. You must be patient and take the appropriate measures between cats and babies to avoid the risks that a bad coexistence can entail:
- Don't take your eyes off the baby when the cat is around. When the baby sleeps, it is convenient that if access to her crib is easy for the cat, that the door remains closed.
- Check from the first moment if the baby suffers from an allergic reaction on his skin, if so, go to the doctor to determine if it can be caused by the animal's hair.
- Before the baby arrives, try to readjust the cat's schedules or places where he eats and relieves himself to those that the newborn is going to have. The changes for the cat, the more forecast time the better.
- You should get used to both its smell and its sound. No area of the house should be closed to the child.
- Trim your cat's nails regularly to minimize the risk of scratching. If you don't know how to do it, ask your vet.
- The cat must be clear about what is prohibited when you hold the baby or are feeding him, such as climbing up and approaching or getting into the crib.
- You yourself know your own pet well, pay attention to its body language as much as possible. When he requires attention, we must give it to him whenever possible, and if he is agitated, it is better to leave him alone and remove the baby from his environment.
- To a great extent, the cat's behavior will be a reflection of that shown by its owners when it approaches the baby. Try not to show fear for what may happen, the cat will feel calmer and will be able to approach the baby at its own pace. To be able to educate him correctly also requires a vote of confidence.
- Each cat is a different world, taking into account the character and personality that you already know, you will be able to foresee certain behaviors regarding the baby.
- Always, I repeat, always, you should take great care of the hygiene of the house or apartment. That the cat does not climb to the places where the baby spends more time and try to keep everything as clean as possible at all times.
You are going to see how the coexistence between the cat and the baby is going to become a real joy and they are going to give you very nice and emotional momentsAlso keep in mind that recent studies show that children who grow up with a pet have a lower risk of disease over the years.
Problems between cats and children
Although in most cases the coexistence between cats and babies is usually positive when it is done regularly and with the indicated guidelines, it will be essential to take certain precautionsregarding he alth and the appearance of behavioral problems.
Diseases communicable between babies and cats
There are some pathologies that cats can suffer from that are zoonotic diseases, that is, they can be transmitted to humans. For this reason we advise you to visit your veterinarian every 6 or 12 months at most, properly follow the cat's vaccination schedule and the internal deworming routine and external, to minimize the risks, even if your cats do not leave the house.
Behavior problems: my cat hisses at my baby
In some cases we can observe that the cat hisses, bristles or hides when he observes the baby. It is a frequent behavior and is usually related to fear, since the cat is not able to interpret what kind of creature it is. It is important to be patient and ignore this behavior, since if we scold the cat a negative association can be produced, that is: the cat associating the baby with a bad experience
In these cases, the best thing to do is go to a feline behavior specialist or a veterinary ethologist.
