Cat question.

[featherfinder]

So i plan on getting a kitten in a couple of months but i am starting to worry a little. I am pregnant and have heard stories of cats smothering young childeren and also being mean to newborns if they are already in the family before the baby. So my question is what do you guys think about a kitten and a new born? Would things be ok or should i wait till my little one is older? If this helps baby will be here and may and was planning on a kitten in March or April.

 

[gryeyes]

Cats Deliberately smothering babies is an old wive's tale. They are curious, and they may be interested in the scent of milk or formula on the baby's face, but that and being a creature of comfort would be the only reason a cat may be in the basinet on the pillow with the baby.

Someone else in your family will have to take care of the litter box while you are pregnant, though. YOU cannot risk handling -even with gloves or "not touching" - the used litter while you are pregnant.

That may very well nip that plan in the bud right there.

 

[mom2jedi]

Sounds like this is your first baby? If so, I would recommend waiting to get the kitten till you have adjusted to the baby. The baby will be a huge adjustment for at least a month with sleep schedules and such. Bringing a kitten into the mix right before seems a bit overwhelming for both you and the kitten. It takes a couple weeks for a kitten to adjust to a new environment and by the time it would be ready to explore more of the house (I always restrict new cats to a bathroom during this time) the baby would be arriving. However, if you wait to get your new friend till after you've adjusted to the baby some, then the kitten will be adjusting to everything at the same time. Less stressful for the both of you.

Of course, I'm assuming this will be an indoor cat. If not, then it may be different but I'd still wait even if it's going to be outdoor or indoor/outdoor cat.

 

[featherfinder]

Quote:
Yes i have planned for the litter box thing. My aunt has agreed to come over while i am at work and check on the little one and take care of the litter till baby is here since me and DF work the same shifts.


What about the jealousy factor? Do you think the kitten would be mad that it is not the center of attention anymore (still will be spoiled and have all the attention it wants) but i have heard of adult cats getting aggressive when you bring a new baby home.

 

[featherfinder]

Quote:
Yes this is my first. But not my first time taking care of a newborn so i understand the schedual and how it can be. It would be an inside cat. but that was all i was asking was opinions on if i should wait or not. I dont want any problems.

 

[Duramaxgirl]

Quote:
X2 good advice. I'm due April 6th with our 5th. Mixing new pets with a new baby is way to much stress and unneeded work unless someone is around to do all the work for you. I understand the desire to have a kitten at this time. I made the kitten mistake with my 4th and it wasn't a good idea. As I just didn't have time for it after the baby was born.
Congratulations on a new baby!

 

[mom2jedi]

My adult cats were fine with our first baby (by babies 2,3,&4 they were old hats at it) we just introduced each one very slowly, reassured them by talking softly and petting them while I held the baby. Took them a few days to get used to the idea but in the end they loved the baby. That's not to say that all cats will be like that. Plus, you mentioned getting a kitten, that is different than introducing an adult. I'm more concerned by how close together you are planning to get the kitten as to when the baby is due. If you had a few months in between to let the kitten adjust to you first then the baby arrived I'm thinking it would be better. Then when the baby arrived, the kitten would already be used to you and would look to you for comfort and reassurance. I just don't know if the kitten would have enough time to form a strong enough bond with you to not have baby's arrival be super stressful.

 

[featherfinder]

Sounds like i am looking at waiting till after. We had planned on getting one last month so it had a few months to adjust but it did not work out and decided to wait. Guess we will keep waiting. Not a big deal though.


And thanks duramaxgirl! Hope everything goes great with yours!

 

[xchairity_casex]

i really wouldnt worry about a kitten smoothering a baby you may have to be careful about the kitten accedentally scratching though it really depends on the kitten i suggest going for a kitten with a meloower aditude dont go for that spaztic little playful kitten you want the kitten who jsut wants to be loved up on.
its usually those spaztic little kittens who love to play all the time with anything htat moves and that could very well be the babys hands or feet

we had a cat who was that spaztic little kitten and was still spaztic as an adult when my nephew was born and came into the house she would deliberatly try running over him while he slept in his crib or the playpen it was a nightmare trying to let him sleep on the floor yuo basically had to hover over him for every second.

its funny now that my nephew is 8 years old and that same cat is 13 years old they are now the very best of freinds she follows him all over for cuddles and wakes him up everymorning for school.

 

[Tylt33]

We just got a new kitten a month ago, and our first child is due in two weeks. I don't anticipate any problems... Will keep you posted though.