OT: Newborns/Babies and Cats

[tonilea]

When I was pregnant with my children, especially my 1st, people (cat haters i call them) told me horrible things. I lost many nights sleep over it. None of it is true. As far as the litter box is concerned, I asked the vet, and she told me that there is a virus that a cat can catch from another cat (yours dont go outside so there is nothing to worry about) the virus will remain active within your cat for two weeks, and during those two weeks you could be affected (I dont know the name of the virus) if you clean the cat box. There is a test that the vet can do that tells if the animal has ever had the virus, and once cat has been exposed to the virus, it will be no longer be able to carry the virus. I did catch my cat sleeping in the babys crib a few times, but only if the baby was not in the crib. My cats avoided the babies until they were much older, now they sleep with the kids all the time. I hope my explanation of the "cat virus" makes sence. Let someone else change the cat box for now, less work for you while you are pregnant!

Cat virus = toxoplasmosis

I was actually tested for toxo during my pregnancy - I have been around animals my entire life and worked in a veterinary clinic for ten years. It was assumed I would test as having been exposed - I did not - at the time of testing, I had never been exposed. So because of my job, it was necessary for me to take additional precautions.


To the OP, there is a net tent you can put over a crib to keep the cat away from the baby. I never bothered, just kept the door shut. Most of my cats didn't want anything to do with the baby, but one was very nosey and very jealous.

 

[DisneyAprilFool]

Just FYI- you are more likely to catch toxo gardening as a pregnant woman (wear gloves if you garden!) or preparing raw meat then dealing with cat pooper scooper duty. Of course, I never have a problem with gals who convince their hubbies to take up that dastardly deed during pregnancy- hey, you're carrying the baby- it's the least HE can do!@

And no- no problems here with 6 cats and now an almost 2 year old. They did take over the cosleeper before he was born, but once he was here- they wanted NOTHING to do with a newborn and they stayed faaar away from him!

 

[BelleRocks]

Don't worry! I had a 13 year old (only-child) kitty when my first DD was born. Kitty wanted nothing to do with her, but was never agressive or harmful. She only appeared when baby was asleep.

As DD got older and mobile, it was good for her to learn to respect Kitty's wishes! A good lesson for any child. (My niece lets her young ones poke at and hurt her pets....I totally disagree.)

As with many things, you will find your own path with this. You will watch them like a hawk (like you will be watching everything) and if anything was out of the ordinary you will notice and respond. Trust your own instincts and judgement.

Good Luck!

 

[PrincessBelle39]

I'm agreeing with everyone else. I had four cats when my first dd was born. One of them died when I was pregnant with my second who is now nearly 3. We have 3 left although they are 21, 18 and 16yrs old. I was also tested for toxoplasmosis when pregnant but was immune. I didn't tell dh about the test though and got a good nine months both times of not having to clean out the litter tray.
My cats have never been a problem at all. And the girls are both growing up to be cat lovers.

 

[bellebud]

I remember reading the cat will smell the breastmilk or formula on baby's breath and lick their mouths - i'd be concerned w/ that maybe and the cat laying on the baby. I knew someone who was concerned about this when she was pregnant and had 2 cats... she had her dh remove the door on the babies room and put a screen door on (i think they didn't want the door closed because of air circulation... maybe they had an attic fan or no air conditioning in babies room but in the hallway or something like that. The screen door worked great for her.

 

[SueM in MN]

A lot of older people still operate under the misconception that a cat can steal a baby's breath when they are asleep or smother the baby - not true! In the "olden days" (as my DD8 says) people didn't understand SIDS and many people thought cats were causing babies to die in their sleep.

Here's the story from Snopes. One part they left off that I have read other places is that cats were thought to be companions of witches and would do things (like steal baby's breath) at the instruction of the witch they were with. So, another part of the old wives' tale.

The only problem we had with our cat was that he did urinate in/ on some baby things. Once, it was dirty laundry in a basket. Another time it was the bouncy seat, and then the pack and play. Finally, he made use of a toy basket that had stuffed animals.

Simple to clean up with laundry febreeze and enzyme cleaner.

And-- each of those "markings" was related to some general upheaval in the house NOT to the baby!

Now, they are best buddies!

The cat we had when our DDs were born did the same thing. She urinated in the bassinette when the baby was not in it. I'm not sure if it was related to the baby or that fact that the basinette had 'appeared' in our living room.
She also urinated in a sandbox we were using inside (without sand) as a toy storage area.

I remember reading the cat will smell the breastmilk or formula on baby's breath and lick their mouths - i'd be concerned w/ that maybe and the cat laying on the baby.

Most cats don't actually like milk and would not go to any effort to get milk.