âPregnancy is time to reflect that your life is changing, and most pet owners can't focus the same amount of time on a pet when they have to take care of a child.â. Truthfully, it’s probably not much fun being in either position. Watch the baby's reactions and facial expressions to see if they enjoy it, especially if the pet starts to lick the baby's feet out of nowhere. for everything. New research has found the first strong evidence that cats are sensitive to human emotional gestures. Animals are unpredictable, and babies make erratic movements, which may frighten pets. They'll need to know the type of litter ingested, so have that information on hand.â. If you stay on top of any potential behavior problems, having pets during your pregnancy and afterward can be a wonderful thing for you and your baby. The fourth decided that my warm, vibrating belly was the best invention since cat food. If your new cat is an adult, you can use a store-bought product called Feliway. Even if your pet adjusted well after the birth of your first child, it's helpful to take the same steps every time you're expecting an addition to the family. Some cats become more affectionate toward the expecting mother, or they act less rambunctious than normal. Your new cat does not want to be stressed by the smells of other cats while s/he is first adapting to his or her new surroundings. However my cat was quite old by the time the youngest was a toddler and could obviously no longer stand the complete chaos noise and moved in next door. After Your Baby … All rights reserved. Gradually help your pet get used to the idea that a baby is on the way. Cats are often placed in positions where they’re either a resident cat faced with a newcomer cat or they’re a new cat coming into an existing cat’s territory. Feliway imitates natural cat pheromones and helps a new cat … Get the pet to interact with the baby by letting the animal sniff them and the baby to touch the pet's fur. Cats are curious and may feel a new baby’s cries are worth investigating. Your pets probably don't understand that in nine months a new baby will be joining your family, but dogs and cats do detect differences in your mood, posture, behavior, and body chemistry that clue them in to the enormous changes you're going through. A study of nearly 600 dog and cat owners, which was presented at the 2010 meeting of the American Sociological Association, confirms what most people believe to be true: Pet owners who have children spend less time with their pets. They say dogs are the first to sense an earthquake and studies even show they can sniff out cancer. My 4yo told me about a week before our baby was born that the baby was coming on Sunday "after swimming lessons and family day". Your kitty has spent her first year growing up, and now has the next 18 or so to spend leisurely as a mature, adult cat. X. Nervous cats may react by hiding or even spraying urine. Children and cats can be wonderful companions for each other. These could be behavioral or medical in nature. If you're a pet owner, you may feel more anxious than other expectant parents if you're worried about how your pet will get along with your baby. And be careful not to discipline your pet every time he comes near the new baby.â. You might think it’s just an old wives tale but there is something to be said for intuition. And unfortunately, some dogs react negatively to this change. I've worked with dogs that growled, barked, or blocked doors with their bodies to prevent other family members – even the baby's father – from coming into the same room as the mom-to-be. Yes, you can help a sad cat! he's stopped sleeping in his big boy bed and won't sleep unless he's with me. âI recommend this for women with a toddler or pet,â she says. Finally, any cat care routines that will be shifted from a parent after the baby arrives should actually be switched one to two months before the birth. All pregnancy, parenting, and birth videos >, Six healthy fixes for pregnancy junk food cravings, Why it's hard to sleep well during pregnancy, the most helpful and trustworthy pregnancy and parenting information. For other parents though, it's a scary thought that may get the family cat a one-way ticket to the local shelter. They can't 'sense' that you are pregnant. Cats are sensitive animals and they can pick up on the pheromones your body produces during pregnancy. Sit down with the baby in your lap somewhere that the pet usually goes around or hangs out. When a pet won't be admitted to the baby's room, safety gates or screen doors can allow an animal to see and hear what's going on, which makes it feel less isolated. âSend home a blanket or article of clothing so the pet can investigate it,â Peterson says. The #1 app for tracking pregnancy and baby growth. They may still get the crazies now and then, but most cats are behaviorally mature by the time they complete their physical maturity, with firmly developed social preferences (though they still can adapt to new people, animals and situations). If you are confined to bed or the sofa, the cat will notice this. Your pets probably don't understand that in nine months a new baby will be joining your family, but dogs and cats do detect differences in your mood, posture, behavior, and body chemistry that clue them in to the enormous changes you're going through. Apply a distinctive perfume or cologne or light a familiar scented candle. Three of my cats couldn't have cared less about my pregnancy. Imagine a cat that has lost a life-long companion. Studies have shown that spending time with a domesticated animal can improve mood, reduce depression, lower blood pressure, and even help you live longer. Cats may pay attention to our facial expressions (Credit: Tambako the … When you have a few spare moments after bringing the baby home, reassure your cat or dog that you still care. For many parents, the idea of kids and cats together is an absolute natural. If your dog or cat starts seriously misbehaving during your pregnancy, or if you don't have experience preparing pets for a new baby, it's a good idea to get help from a professional trainer. Make sure they have unfettered access to litter boxes, food, water, and their favorite resting places. Babies. Because dogs can hear about 100,000 times better than humans and can hear at an ultrasonic range, this means they're likely to be the first to know when it comes to human pregnancy. You’ll love your new baby, and you’ll love your cat, but don’t necessarily expect them to love each other, at least right away. Some dogs find it comforting to spend time in a crate, but this must be an established preference before the baby arrives. With a little forward planning, you can get your pets used to the changes well in advance, so that your cat should hardly notice any difference when the b… i have a two year old boy who's become whiny as heck and his fav word is mama right now. As mentioned above, babies give off warmth, and a cat may try to climb in and share it, but it’s extremely unlikely that the cat would harm the baby. If their world has recently turned upside down, then restoring their routine can help a lot. Vicki Mendiratta, MD, professor, division of obstetrics and gynecology, University of Washington School of Medicine. Line up a caretaker for your pets and write down your pets' schedules for that person.
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