My wife and I are having a baby and are concerned that our beloved cat may get jealous and become a safety issue. This is based on her previous behavior around guests at our house. She meows then hisses to get attention from visitors. We are looking for a non-medication way of treating this issue if possible.
Thank You
You can keep your baby safe and your cat contented by following a number of simple steps.
Make the baby’s room off limits to the cat now. Some parents replace the baby’s door with a screen door so the door can be closed at all times and air and sound will still move in and out of the room. Or you can get a pet trainer that repels the cat from entering the room (scat mat, remote collar, etc). Cat not allowed in that room period. Baby is safer.
Get Feliway diffusers and plug in hall outside baby’s room, also in main living area.
Feliway soothes the cat’s jangled nerves and makes the cat contented with the stressful visitor.
Whenever holding the baby or caring for the baby, talk kindly to the cat and offer her treats and pets. Cat should think baby present=I get attention and treats.
Make a special space for the cat that the baby does not enter. This room can contain food, water, litter box and if cat goes outdoors, this room should contain her pet door or window that she can come and go. Baby never goes in this room. If cat seems stressed by the baby being in the living area, gently remove her to her “own room” for a while, until baby is asleep or put down, then cat comes back out.
When baby starts to crawl and grab, trim cat’s front nails short weekly. Don’t cut into the quick, just take the sharp tip off. They grow back fast, so trim weekly or more often. Or you can get “Soft paws” which are glue on nail caps that last 6 weeks.
When baby starts to crawl and grab, give the cat a pet door into her own room, or hook the door up high with a big (5 inch) hook and eye so cat can sneak in and out and baby cannot follow. A baby gate also works as most cats can jump over them.
Most cats can get used to a baby, since there is a long period while baby is not very mobile, for cat to adapt. However, never never leave the baby alone with any pet for even a second. Cats are not usually aggressive to babies, but any animal can intentionally or accidentally harm an infant in a second.
Kerrin Hoban, DVM
Harbor Veterinary Hospital
Santa Cruz, CA
There are many natural products that can be used. The commercial Feliway is one thing. It comes in various forms. It comes in spray, collar or diffusor form. There is Essential Oils used either on the collar, bedding, in room through diffussion. Essential oils are made from plants and are safe for humans. Combinations or blends are usually the most useful since they combine the oils that worked the best together. One thing to know is the oils must be pure from a Company that distilled the oils with highest quality. The toxcicity you can read about in cats is only a problem with an unpure adulterated oil. I use a company in my Alternative care veterinary practice that provides such oils. The use of herbs and bach flower is also useful and is successful as well. There are many studies to indicate that enriching the environment is important such as with toys, lights, climbing trees. It is also important to set aside a play time for the cat. It is a special time only given to the cat. This has made a difference with many cats. With above suggestions the use of drugs can be avoided. Please let me know if I can answer questions further.
Dr. Mary Hess
DeForest Veterinary Clinic
DeForest, WI
The sooner you start the better. Cat Fancy runs articles every 1-2 years about cats and babies, so that is a good resource you might find at your local library. While you are getting the room ready for the baby, let her have access so she doesn’t get overly curious. Consider installing a screen door in the doorway to keep her out but still letting her, and you, see and hear everything. As the time gets closer, get things from friends with babies that have the smell on them (like blankets, diapers, baby clothes and spit up rags), and put them where she can smell them. This will help her get used to the smells. There is also a cd that has baby noises that you can get to play for her (maybe in the baby’s room) so she will become familiar with them. We have a link to it on our website, but I believe it is available on Amazon, too (isn’t everything). Once the baby is home, don’t leaver her alone with it until you know she won’t bother it. Most cats will avoid babies, or just want to watch them. Make sure that you spend time with your cat once the baby is home so she is not given a reason to be jealous. You don’t have to ignore the baby, but don’t forget to take care of the cat, too!
Good luck.
Lori L Coughlin, DVM
Lori L Coughlin, DVM
Arlington Heights, IL