All cats will benefit from some preparation before a new
baby’s arrival, but those who are nervous, skittish or needy require extra
consideration. Cats are creatures of habit and tend to prefer consistency.
They’re easily upset by abrupt changes in their routine or environment. If your
cat didn’t grow up in a household with young children, he might have an
especially hard time adjusting to a new baby because the baby’s appearance,
loud, strange sounds and strong smells will be unfamiliar—and maybe even
frightening. It’s best to start getting Kitty ready long before your new baby
makes her debut. However, if that opportunity has already passed and your baby
will arrive soon, don’t worry. It’s not too late to pave the way for peace in
the family.
Getting Your Cat Ready
When preparing your cat for the baby’s arrival, it’s
important to focus on two main things:
1. Gradually introducing your cat to the new experiences,
schedules, sights, sounds and smells he’ll encounter when the baby comes
2. Associating all of those new things with rewards so they
don’t upset him
Keep a Consistent Schedule
Your schedule will become very chaotic when the baby
arrives. Decide now when you’ll be able to consistently feed your cat, scoop
his litter box and give him some one-on-one attention and play. Start to
gradually shift your cat’s schedule so that he’s already used to it when the
baby comes. If necessary, buy an automatic feeder with a timer, such as the
Super Feeder® or the Furry Feeder™, in order to keep regular, predictable
feeding times.
Minimize Changes in Attention
Resist the temptation to give your cat extra attention in
the weeks before the baby’s due date. This will only set him up for a bigger
letdown when the baby comes and he suddenly gets less of your attention. It’s
much better to start shifting kitty cuddling and play to set times that your cat
can look forward to and gradually give him less and less attention at other
times of day. This will ease your cat into a schedule that you’ll probably be
able to maintain once the baby comes.
The Baby’s Room
Decide now if you will or won’t allow your cat into the
baby’s room. Everyone in the family should agree on this rule and stick to it.
If the Baby’s Room Will Be Off-Limits
Move any furniture your cat loves to sit on out of the
baby’s room so he can still have access to it when the baby comes. Keep the
baby’s door closed or install a very tall baby gate in the doorway to get your
cat used to restricted access now. Set up a comfy cat bed or cat tree just
outside the door. Keep a canister of cat treats in the baby’s room. Every time
you enter, leave a couple of treats in the cat bed. After the baby comes, when
you rock or feed her, occasionally toss a treat into the cat bed. This practice
will make your cat happy to be around the baby while rewarding him for staying
out of the room. If he tries to sneak into the baby’s room, just gently remove
him. Don’t punish or scold him, as this might make him fearful or aggressive
toward you or the baby.
If the Baby’s Room Won’t Be Off-Limits
Before the baby arrives, balance a few empty soda cans
filled with pennies on the rim of the crib. If your cat tries to jump in, the
noisy result will discourage future visits. Also, place a cat bed or cat tree
inside the baby’s room. Use the treat-in-the-bed technique described above to
reward your cat for being near the baby yet out of your way.
Prepare for Baby Sights, Sounds and Smells
Baby Toys and Supplies
All the new baby things coming into the house will smell
strange or even scary to your cat. Unwrap baby toys and supplies from packaging
and introduce them to your cat one or two at a time. Place new baby items
several feet from your cat’s food bowl and leave them there for a few days.
This way, your cat will experience them in a low-key situation and will be
rewarded with his food for approaching the new things. You can also start to
use a little bit of the baby’s lotions, shampoos and creams on yourself so your
cat associates them with a familiar person.
The Baby
To some cats, babies seem like aliens from outer space. They
smell, sound, look and act differently than adult humans. So buy a CD of baby
sounds, available from amazon.com or dogwise.com, and play it during your cat’s
meals and when you snuggle or play with him. At first, play the sounds at a
very low volume. As long as your cat remains comfortable with the sounds, you
can gradually increase the volume over a couple of weeks until you’ve worked up
to a realistic level of noise. To help your cat get used to childlike
movements, spend some time each day crawling around and lying on the floor,
running through the house and playing with baby toys. Be ready to praise or
toss your cat a treat if he comes near, but if he chooses to keep a distance
instead, that’s okay. Don’t force him to approach.
Start getting your cat used to the baby’s prodding fingers
now by playing Poke the Kitty. Very gently give your cat a little poke, pat or
pinch. Then immediately give him a yummy treat or his dinner. Play this game at
least two or three times a day until the baby arrives.
Once the baby comes, help your cat to enjoy being around
her. Offer lots of praise, treats or play whenever he comes anywhere near the
baby, but don’t force him to approach. Stop the praise and rewards whenever
your cat walks away from the baby—but do continue to have scheduled cuddling
and playtime with him.
When Guests Visit
A new baby means frequent visits from friends and family.
Nervous cats will prefer to stay in a quiet room with the door closed when
guests arrive. During visits, periodically check on your cat and offer treats
or a few minutes of play. If he seems anxious, let him stay in the quiet
retreat until your guests leave. Make sure your cat has access to food, water,
something comfortable to rest on and a litter box while he’s in the quiet room.
Additional Tips
Create several kitty perches around your house, up high and
out of a toddler’s reach, where your cat can retreat if he wants to.
Move your cat’s litter boxes to quiet, private spots that
are inaccessible to a baby or toddler, but not so far out of the way that your
cat won’t want to use them. Try placing one of the boxes in a cabinet or closet
with a hole cut in the door.
If you’re concerned about your cat scratching the baby, try
using nail caps, such as Soft Claws®, as a safe, non-surgical alternative to declawing.
Neutering can help cats react less to things, so having your
male cat neutered at least a few months before the baby arrives might help him
adjust to her more easily.
It’s a myth that cats try to smother babies. If you see your
cat peacefully sniffing your baby’s face, praise him for such nice, calm
behavior around her!
Any sudden change in your cat’s behavior might indicate an
underlying medical condition. If your cat’s behavior changes during preparation
for your baby’s arrival or after the baby comes, see your veterinarian right
away to rule out sickness and injury—especially if you notice any unusual
physical symptoms or if your cat stops eating.
