Cat and newborn baby in the apartment

For some time now (a month, two... a year) a furry miracle named Vaska, or some kind of Caserol, has been living in your house, why not, we love to come up with funny nicknames for pets. For example, a hamster named Apocalypse, or a bulldog named Bartholomew. And this miracle became so beloved that, it would seem, you live in perfect harmony and never part.

But the test shows two lines, and if for the first couple of months we don’t notice anything because of wild delight, then unpleasant thoughts come to our minds. What should you do with the cat? And my first thoughts are usually: I’ll give it to my parents, a friend, to a shelter, or take it out onto the street. But is this the way out? Is it worth parting with your pet because of the arrival of a baby in the family? How will this affect the child and should I be concerned?

What are they afraid of?

Why does such a problem appear before the birth of a child: cats and newborn children. There are several reasons :

possible allergy to cat fur; according to statistics, this pathology occurs quite rarely, but if such a situation arises, the animal can always be isolated;
a cat can become a spreader of infection, but only if it lives both at home and outside.

The last one is very significant. There is a common belief that cats should be allowed outside. But this is not so, because this is a domestic animal for which the territory that it controls is important, in this case, this is the area of the apartment or house. Side factors that encourage a cat to go outside can easily be overcome: by sterilization, at least of the cat, and drug intervention (sedative drops) for the cat.

This procedure is completely painless for a cat, and for a person’s conscience it is absolutely calm, since, having taken an animal to live in a house, we are obliged to fulfill some formalities, otherwise it is better not to take responsibility for the animal.

If we can’t arrange a cat’s life, then why are we trying to have a child? Communication between a cat and a newborn is inevitable after the baby appears in the house. These creatures are very curious, and having become members of the family, they are also jealous, so you need to prepare your pet for the arrival of a new resident of the house.

How to choose the cat breed most suitable for small children

When getting a cat, you should initially think about how it will get along with a newborn baby. Only correct calculation and proper behavior of the owner can make it so that in the future two kids will get along very well with each other and this will not cause any trouble to anyone.

“Thus, when purchasing a kitten, you need to think less about its preferences, and think about how its breed will affect the relationship with your future child.”

Choosing a cat is a very responsible process that must be done consciously. The most basic rule is the health of your cat, as this is necessary so that you do not have any problems with him in the future.

Thus, you need to pay attention to the following criteria for the correct choice of your future pet based on the fact that he will need to get along with the newborn baby:

The most ideal cat breeds are those that are not afraid of anything from infancy. If the baby behaves without fear and feels confident enough, then in the future he will adapt perfectly to all new circumstances.
When choosing a kitten, you need to watch how he plays with his brothers and sisters. If the kid you have chosen is the most cocky and active, then this will not be the best option for the establishment, since he will always try to be a leader, and for the child this will not be the best option.
Starting from two months of age, the baby should be interested in everything independently. The most ideal option is when the cat chooses its owner.
External indicators of a cat’s health are the most important thing that you need to pay special attention to. His coat should shine and glow with health, his teeth should be white, his ears should be clean. Only on this basis can we conclude that the animal is healthy and will be the best option for sharing a living space with your baby.

Cats and small children can be best friends if you approach the process of getting to know them and further relationships correctly and responsibly.

Preparation

Cats are quite tolerant of newborn children if you prepare them in advance for the arrival of a new member of the community that lives in this house or apartment. To do this, you need to take the following preventive measures :

for a cat, one of the main stresses is noise, which is inevitably associated with the appearance of a newborn baby in the house, so you need to accustom the animal in advance to these loud sounds that a baby makes when inviting friends who have small children home;
accustom your pet to the sounds of a rattle, give the opportunity to smell those substances and objects that will be associated with the child: powder, baby cream, lotion, shampoo, cats receive almost half of the information through smell;
You need to talk with your pet about future changes, naming the name of the future child, if it has already been chosen.

For a pet, the appearance of a new family member, especially one of such small size, will always be a surprise to which he needs to get used to.

Life with a cat is a happy home

Cats, of course, are not dogs that wag their tails and lick everyone. Cats have a temper, but if they love their family, then this love is unique.

A cat in the house has a positive effect on the development of the baby and his upbringing. According to psychologists, communication with a furry friend helps a child become more responsible and friendly. In addition, children who grew up with animals from infancy are most often very kind. But if your home doesn’t yet have an animal under 3 years old, don’t rush to buy one. But if you have already managed to get a kitten, then remember that he and his relationship with the baby will require attention.

There is no need to worry about the cleanliness of the house until it is sparkling. It is quite enough to pay a little more attention than usual to cleaning the tray with gloves, changing the filler more often, washing the bowl and changing the water in it every day, washing your hands and not giving the cat raw meat. For those who are worried about the cat's shedding, they now offer to shave the cat, this is very convenient, since for 1.5 months you do not need to vacuum up a bunch of fur every day.

Building relationships

The baby was brought home. And the first thing the cat sees is not the envelope in its hands, but the owner. The happiness of having treats in the house, three meals a day and affection for the cat at this moment is like a pink veil before the eyes. And then he hears it... the cry of a baby. And here the cat becomes alert, hisses and rolls back.

Young parents make the mistake of immediately mistaking this for hostile behavior and no longer allow the cat near the baby. In fact, this is a completely understandable reaction, since cats react very strongly to noise and are distrustful of everything new. Besides, they are very curious. Hissing is more of a defensive reaction in this case than a manifestation of unfriendliness.

And after 10 minutes you can already see the picture of the “fluffy” one carefully approaching the baby. This is where the defensive reaction kicks in, not from the cat, but from the parents. And they try to hide their little bundle as far as possible from the clawed paws. But it's not right. In this situation, the cat is interested in understanding what is in the diaper and whether it poses a threat. And slowly creeping up, they are only worried about what will happen to them.

Cats have a genuine interest in everything new until he is sure of his safety or until this item becomes commonplace for him. Therefore, you should not drive the cat away from the child. On the contrary, it is worth allowing the cat to approach the baby under close supervision. And smell it. Thus, he makes sure that this lump does not pose a threat to him.

If you initially treated the cat as a “child,” then during pregnancy it is time to prepare the cat for the fact that less time will be spent on him, otherwise a sharp decrease in care may cause jealousy. If the attachment to the expectant mother is stronger than to the others, it is worth establishing relationships with the cat among other family members. It is worth teaching your cat to be independent.

Cats often exhibit a maternal instinct towards children. They come to the defense if the child cries, teach him to go to the potty, and help very young children develop a grasping reflex. Cats can also be protective. Become a child's friend.

Tips for those who have a cat and a baby in the house

First of all, before the baby is born, take your cat to see a veterinarian. Let him be examined, given all the necessary vaccinations, and wormed. If you are not offered to take all the tests, ask for it yourself.
If you were planning castration or sterilization, then you should do this also before the birth of the child. The first couple of days the cat may behave aggressively, but then they become more affectionate and pliable as problematic sexual behavior disappears.
Buy your cat more toys and a claw sharpener. Get into the habit of trimming your cat's nails every couple of weeks. If fur falls off, take him for a haircut.
You can invite friends with children to visit in advance so that the cat remembers what the children look like and their behavior. Accustom your cat to the sounds of rattles and squeaks.
Find a way to wean your cat off its curiosity about the baby's crib before the baby is born. For example, cans, tape and anything that will scare the cat away from this place.
Cats understand a calm, conversational tone well. Therefore, talk to them more often about the child, mention the name.
When you come home from the maternity hospital, take some time to pet your cat and feed him something tasty. Let him feel that you have not forgotten about him
Give the cat a chance to get used to the new family member. Surely the cat will want to sniff the child, let him do it. If he doesn’t show any desire, then don’t force him to sit next to the child. A cat is not a dog; it will not do what you want. Perhaps her curiosity will awaken later.
Be alone with your cat sometimes, don’t miss those favorite cat activities that you used to do together.

Don't forget about the baby's safety. Monitor the presence of the child and the cat together. Teach your child how to properly handle animals as they grow older.
Do not yell at the cat under any circumstances, even if it accidentally scratched the child. Cats forget the offense after a while and may simply not associate your scolding with what he usually does. In addition, screaming causes a negative reaction in cats, and it can unexpectedly annoy you, even if this has not happened before. Talk calmly, explain to him that he can’t do that. But next time, watch their communication more carefully and don’t allow this to happen. It’s not easy to do, but it’s worth trying and everything will work out.
A cat has a good effect on a child’s development, for example, teach a child to go potty when the cat goes to his litter box. Feed the cat together.
Don't worry that the cat might suffocate your baby in the crib. It's just a myth. Cats love warmth, and the desire to climb into the baby’s bed is connected only with finding a warm place. In some cases, this is how cats protect the baby.
The toys of a child and a cat should be different. This is not only a rule of hygiene, but also will not cause problems in the future when the baby wants to play with everything. Therefore, you need to immediately accustom your child to the fact that their play objects are different.
The cat must have his own place. You shouldn’t put your baby’s crib where the cat used to like to sleep.
Be prepared for the fact that the cat may wake your baby. This is especially noticeable in those pets who like to wander around at night. Don't yell at the animal.

In any case, it is quite possible to improve the relationship between a cat and a child, as well as living together. And do not forget the words of Dr. Komarovsky that a child has ideal immunity from birth, and instead of placing him in sterile conditions, you need to train and strengthen this immunity. As a last resort, no one forbids you to move the cat into the next room.

The life of a cat and a child is very exciting and full of funny moments!

If there are a lot of cats

Of course, many people purposefully have cats at home, most often buying famous breeds for divorce. But many simply pick up kittens thrown away by someone or even adult cats that, by the will of fate, ended up on the street. As a rule, this entire flock gets along peacefully with each other.

And he perceives a person as an external strong animal that feeds, cares and caresses. The appearance of a new living creature, which is not much smaller in size than the cats themselves, raises almost no questions for them; on the contrary, animals must immediately be taught not to do the following :

do not jump into the crib, stroller, table where the baby is swaddled;
do not interfere with the owners during feeding;
train the cat not to enter the room where the child is.

It is quite possible to establish this relationship between cats and cats, since this animal is smart and understands its place in the house. Having become accustomed to these basic rules, cats react completely calmly to newborn children.

How to prepare a cat for a baby's home

There are several points that will help your cat go from being the only pet to a family with a new baby.

These items may include the following rules:

Take health precautions

As a cat owner, you may have heard of toxoplasmosis. Toxoplasmosis is a parasite that can be transmitted from cats to humans. It can also be passed from mother to unborn baby.

This parasite causes many diseases in the unborn child, such as blindness, deafness or hydrocephalus.

To prevent the spread of this parasite from cat to person, avoid stray cats and keep your cat indoors.

Be sure to wear gloves when working with your cat's litter box, litter bins, or gardening.

Make gradual changes

When preparing a home for a newborn, it is important to spend a lot of time with your cat, preparing her for life with a baby.

Kitten and small child: eye and eye

Many parents are sure that a child under 3 years old should not communicate with pets, especially such unpredictable ones as cats. Of course, such an opinion is not without meaning, because it is difficult to explain to a child why a pussy should not be pulled by the tail, and in general, how to handle a furry pet so as not to hurt it.

But, on the other hand, at this age they learn a lot from their parents, including the rules for handling pets. Therefore, if a mother strokes a cat, the baby will definitely repeat after her and perform similar manipulations. Often, such actions are enough to establish contact between two children - a cat and a human.

At this age, as a rule, the pet has to be protected from the baby’s actions, rather than vice versa - the child can drop, tightly squeeze, or crush the kitten, so it is better to take a pet into the house no younger than 4 months. But it is still worth remembering that kittens can bite and scratch while playing, so you should not leave him alone with the child. However, at this age, parents do not risk doing this, even if there is no animal in the house.

Older children's attitudes toward pets change. They no longer perceive the cat as a toy. They come to the realization that this is a living creature that needs food, sleep, games and careful handling. From the age of 3, you can teach your child to take care of your pet - pour food into a bowl, change the water, etc.

The child must learn how to pick up a cat, and most importantly, when. If the pet purrs displeasedly, actively moves its tail and presses its ears, it means that the time for close contact was chosen poorly, and it is better to leave the cat alone. To avoid injuries such as bites and scratches, the child must know that forcing a cat to communicate is dangerous.

Discipline and responsibility are what a child will learn if there is a pet in the house. However, it is not worth purchasing a kitten specifically for this - nothing will happen without the child’s desire. If a kitten was purchased for a child, then it is not recommended to manipulate his feelings by threatening to get rid of the pet if the baby does not clean the litter box, feed the pet and perform other actions. Even if he solemnly promised to do everything just so that the animal would appear in the house.

In this case, children can develop a feeling of guilt, and even hostility towards the animal. It is necessary to proceed in a different way, explaining that the cat cannot live without food, and that it urgently needs a clean tray. When deciding to have a pet, parents, first of all, must weigh their own strengths, implying that their children will also actively participate in the care.

Are cats dangerous for children?

There are people who are absolutely sure: cats are dangerous for children. What if you have an allergy? What if there are worms? What if there are fleas?

But if allergies can really become a problem (you can’t guess here), then other risks are exaggerated.

If the cat is domestic and its health is monitored (regular vaccinations and treatment against parasites are carried out, they are taken to a veterinarian for examinations, they do not practice self-walking and do not allow the cat to dig in the trash can), it does not pose a threat to the child’s health and there are no restrictions on the child’s communication with no cat. Exception: scratches, but we will talk about them below.

How to introduce a child and a cat

When you come home from the hospital with your newborn, there may be a lot of new things going on - visitors, gifts, new routines.

But it is important that you take the time to introduce the baby and the cat to each other.

After the birth of a child, be sure to:

Set aside quiet time—just you, kitty, and baby—to greet each other peacefully. Give your cat quiet time to bond with you and your newborn.

Give the cat a child's object to explore

Use a baby blanket or piece of clothing in a quiet, safe place where your cat can explore at his leisure. This will help your cat get used to the baby at a pace that is comfortable for her.

Supervise when the cat and child are together

Cats love to snuggle, but this can be dangerous if your newborn can't move his head yet. Always keep the door closed unless you can look after the baby and cat together right away.

How do cats treat newborns?

Future parents often worry: how will the old-timer cat accept the child? The Internet knows many stories about cats' jealousy and vindictiveness, and this does not give parents peace of mind.

In practice, all cats are individual, and you can never say exactly how a particular cat will react to a particular baby. Of course, there are times when a pet begins to be jealous of its owners and gets offended, but most often cats ignore newborn children.

Cats' interest in children appears later, when the little one begins to crawl or walk and chases the cat. But even here, not every cat will succumb to provocations. Some pets categorically avoid children, others are affectionate and careful with them, and there are those who are not averse to letting out their claws.

Much in the relationship between a pet and a baby depends on the temperament of a particular cat, on the character of the baby, but most importantly, on the parents. They should not leave the child unattended, and besides, they are the ones who have to teach the baby how to handle the pet, and the pet how to handle the baby.