Cats and Babies:
It Can be love at first sight
Okay, maybe your cat's not thrilled with the idea of having a new little human around the house. But cats and kids have coexisted for centuries, and it probably won't take your cat long to discover that a baby's not so bad, after all. Follow these suggestions and chances are, when your cat and baby meet, it will be love at first sight.
IT'S THE THOUGHT THAT COUNTS
- Cats pick up on our thoughts. If you're stressed, the cat will be too. If you act like having a new baby around the house is not a big deal, your cat will probably agree. So think positive thoughts, and send your cat mental "I love you" messages. Picture you and the baby and the cat all living happily -- and cooperatively -- together.
- Keep him in the loop. Tell your cat what's going on and what he can expect after the baby arrives. Strange as it may sound, he'll understand and will appreciate being kept informed.
- Every animal needs a job. If you're worried about the baby or not feeling well, tell your cat, and ask him to comfort you. Believe it or not, that will help the cat as much as it helps you!
- Don't feel guilty. New babies require a lot of time and attention, and you can only do so much. If your cat has to settle for less attention from you for a while, he'll adjust. Getting used to less attention from a person he loves is easier than getting used to a new home and family. Please don't consider giving up your cat just because you have less time for him. He'll be okay.
IT'S THE THOUGHT THAT COUNTS
- Cats pick up on our thoughts. If you're stressed, the cat will be too. If you act like having a new baby around the house is not a big deal, your cat will probably agree. So think positive thoughts, and send your cat mental "I love you" messages. Picture you and the baby and the cat all living happily -- and cooperatively -- together.
- Keep him in the loop. Tell your cat what's going on and what he can expect after the baby arrives. Strange as it may sound, he'll understand and will appreciate being kept informed.
- Every animal needs a job. If you're worried about the baby or not feeling well, tell your cat, and ask him to comfort you. Believe it or not, that will help the cat as much as it helps you!
- Don't feel guilty. New babies require a lot of time and attention, and you can only do so much. If your cat has to settle for less attention from you for a while, he'll adjust. Getting used to less attention from a person he loves is easier than getting used to a new home and family. Please don't consider giving up your cat just because you have less time for him. He'll be okay.
Plan Ahead
- Know Your Cat. Is your cat timid and dependent on you, devoted and friendly, or resolutely independent? Understanding his personality will help you predict how he'll react to the new baby. For instance, a timid, dependent cat may be frightened and jealous. He needs to become less dependent well before the new little one arrives. A devoted cat that participates in human activities will have hurt feelings, but is likely to "help" care for the baby if you let him. An independent cat will probably ignore the newcomer as long as his own life goes on uninterrupted.
- Check him out. Have your cat seen by a veterinarian to make sure he's free of parasites and in good health. He'll need to be in top shape to handle the stress of the new arrival.
- Set up the nursery as soon as possible. Do your redecorating one step at a time -- paint one weekend, wallpaper the next -- and let your cat be part of things. When you set up the crib, cover it with a net or fill it with empty soda cans to discourage cat naps.
- Introduce him to the new scents he'll smell once the baby is home by putting the powders, soaps, and lotions you'll have for the baby on you.
- Make any changes in the cat's routine at least a month before the baby arrives. If his dinner time is going to change, start slowly adjusting the time when you feed him. And try to establish a daily "cat time," when the two of you will have a few minutes alone together after the baby comes.
- Close the door to the baby's room or install a screen door, so he knows that area is now off limits unless he's with you. A screen door will let him see what's going on inside, so he won't be tempted to explore on his own.
- Get him used to the sights and sounds of babies. Ask friends with babies to visit. And get an audio tape of a baby crying. From the cat's point of view, baby sounds may be the most frightening part of having an infant around. While the tape's playing give the cat some treats or play with him. That will help him associate the sound of a baby crying with things he enjoys.
- Check him out. Have your cat seen by a veterinarian to make sure he's free of parasites and in good health. He'll need to be in top shape to handle the stress of the new arrival.
- Set up the nursery as soon as possible. Do your redecorating one step at a time -- paint one weekend, wallpaper the next -- and let your cat be part of things. When you set up the crib, cover it with a net or fill it with empty soda cans to discourage cat naps.
- Introduce him to the new scents he'll smell once the baby is home by putting the powders, soaps, and lotions you'll have for the baby on you.
- Make any changes in the cat's routine at least a month before the baby arrives. If his dinner time is going to change, start slowly adjusting the time when you feed him. And try to establish a daily "cat time," when the two of you will have a few minutes alone together after the baby comes.
- Close the door to the baby's room or install a screen door, so he knows that area is now off limits unless he's with you. A screen door will let him see what's going on inside, so he won't be tempted to explore on his own.
- Get him used to the sights and sounds of babies. Ask friends with babies to visit. And get an audio tape of a baby crying. From the cat's point of view, baby sounds may be the most frightening part of having an infant around. While the tape's playing give the cat some treats or play with him. That will help him associate the sound of a baby crying with things he enjoys.
The Homecoming
- Before the baby comes home, have your husband or partner bring the cat an unwashed towel or piece of clothing so kitty can get used to the baby's scent.
- Give the cat a warm welcome when you and the baby come home. Let someone else hold the baby, while you snuggle with the cat.
- When it's time for the cat and baby to meet, sit in your favorite chair with the baby on your lap. Let the cat sniff and observe, and encourage him calmly and quietly.
- Keep company to a minimum for the first few days. Both you and the cat need to get used to having a new baby around the house before visitors start flooding in. When visitors do start to arrive, ask them to pay some attention to the cat so he won't feel rejected.
- Don't be nervous when the cat and baby are together. Remember, the cat will pick up on your thoughts and fears. But supervise any interaction.
- Try to keep the cat's routine as close to the one you established before the baby arrived as possible. Cats are creatures of habit, and they find constant changes in routine very stressful.
- Give the cat praise and attention when he and the baby are in the same room. That will help him associate the baby with things he likes, and he won't see the need to compete for attention.
- From time to time, put the baby on a blanket on the floor so the cat can observe and get used to his motions. Crawling infants and sprinting toddlers can be very frightening to cats who didn't realize the miniature humans in their house could actually move around.
- Be alert to changes in behavior. Improper elimination, aggression, excessive grooming and hiding can all be signs of distress. Bach Flower remedies, available at health food stores, can ease the cat's stress and restore his emotional balance. And be patient. Your cat will need time to adjust to his new lifestyle. Remember that a new baby is a big change for everyone in the family -- including the cat.
- Give the cat a warm welcome when you and the baby come home. Let someone else hold the baby, while you snuggle with the cat.
- When it's time for the cat and baby to meet, sit in your favorite chair with the baby on your lap. Let the cat sniff and observe, and encourage him calmly and quietly.
- Keep company to a minimum for the first few days. Both you and the cat need to get used to having a new baby around the house before visitors start flooding in. When visitors do start to arrive, ask them to pay some attention to the cat so he won't feel rejected.
- Don't be nervous when the cat and baby are together. Remember, the cat will pick up on your thoughts and fears. But supervise any interaction.
- Try to keep the cat's routine as close to the one you established before the baby arrived as possible. Cats are creatures of habit, and they find constant changes in routine very stressful.
- Give the cat praise and attention when he and the baby are in the same room. That will help him associate the baby with things he likes, and he won't see the need to compete for attention.
- From time to time, put the baby on a blanket on the floor so the cat can observe and get used to his motions. Crawling infants and sprinting toddlers can be very frightening to cats who didn't realize the miniature humans in their house could actually move around.
- Be alert to changes in behavior. Improper elimination, aggression, excessive grooming and hiding can all be signs of distress. Bach Flower remedies, available at health food stores, can ease the cat's stress and restore his emotional balance. And be patient. Your cat will need time to adjust to his new lifestyle. Remember that a new baby is a big change for everyone in the family -- including the cat.
The Truth About Toxoplasmosis
It's true that toxoplasmosis is dangerous to pregnant women and can affect an unborn baby's brain and nervous system. But the disease is easily prevented. All you have to do is take a few precautions.
---Ask your obstetrician to run a toxoplasmosis antibody titer, a simple blood test that measures antibody levels for past and present infection. Previous exposure to the disease will cause a positive titer, which means you are immune and can no longer contract the disease or pass it to your unborn child.
---Ask someone else to take care of your cat's litter box while you're pregnant. Toxoplasmosis is caused by a Toxoplasma gondii, a protozoan that a cat can pass in its feces. If you must tend to your cat's box while you're pregnant, wear rubber gloves when cleaning the litter box and wash your hands carefully when you're finished.
---Clean the litter box daily. It takes three days for the Toxoplasma gondii's eggs to hatch and become infectious. So removing feces every day will help prevent infection.
---If you work outdoors in soil, wear gloves, and wash your hands when you get inside.
---Signs of Toxoplasmosis are enlarged lymph nodes, rash, fever, muscle pain and fatigue. If you experience any of these symptoms ask your doctor to run a toxoplasmosis titer. If the test is positive, begin taking antibiotics immediately.
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