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203342 tn?1328737207

Can a cat sense pregnancy in humans?

I could have sworn I've heard of this before but I'm not sure. I'm asking because we're babysitting someone's cat for a week or so while she's moving. It's a nuetered 7 year old male cat.
I put him in the laundry room with his bed, box, food and water to seperate him from my cats. It's a very big laundry room with windows and he's nice and cozy and warm in there with the furnace and all.

But here's the strange thing. My daughter and I petted him a little bit when we'd go in and out of the room doing laundry and such. The second time she went into the laundry room the cat hissed at her, specifically her.  She was surprised and stepped back. Then a minute later tried to squat down to pet him again and he started to attack her arm like he was going to bite. She stepped back again and left him alone.

I was surprised too because his owner said he's a loving cat and so far I've been able to pet him just fine. He seems to have taken a dislike to my daughter for some reason though. Granted, he could smell one of our cats on her but I'd think he'd smell them on me too. So, I'm wondering, can he tell she's pregnant? Can he smell something different about her? I thought I had heard that some cats can tell or act different around a pregnant woman but I wanted to see what you all think or if you've heard that.

I hope we can keep the cat ok for our friend since she doesn't really have anyone else to take him but I don't want my daughter to be afraid to go in the laundry room now to do her laundry, etc.
What do you all think?
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203342 tn?1328737207
Oh no, that's ok! I didn't think you were being harsh at all. :)
He seems to be doing better! My daughter said he acted nice to her and let her pet him this morning. Maybe he really was just scared being away from his owner and what he's used to.
I put out a thick blanket on the counter, where the windows are, and he's been laying there a lot. he seems to like it. :)
Helpful - 0
874521 tn?1424116797
didn't mean it to sound so harsh please don't misunderstand....whatever the size even if he were to be upstairs he would still be in a strange home and this brings about all sorts of uncharacteristic behaviors.....but yes the hormone smell is a realistic possibility, animals have such a keen sense of smell.....I do hope the babysitting works out for you all, but not if it means your daughter being overly frightened...best she does stay clear of the area for sure...
my best
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203342 tn?1328737207
Just wanted to clarify, it's not a small room I've got him in. It's a very large laundry room, about half the size of our basement and it has 2 windows and the furnace so it stays nice and warm.
He seems to be doing fine with all of this. He's been eating, drinking, etc.
Today his owner stopped by to check on him and I told her that I had wondered about the pregnancy thing and she said she thinks there's something to all of that because when she was pregnant (she's had a couple of misscarriages) she said that she noticed her cat would act strangely and nip and bite at her feet and toes. So maybe there really is something to all of this.
For now, my daughter is mostly staying away from him and not trying to pet him. Hopefully, we can keep him for her until she's all moved in her new place.
Helpful - 0
874521 tn?1424116797
hi, I truly believe cats can smell hormonal changes but that shouldn't be a negative reaction....I think the cat is just scared!..when he's in a strange house and locked in a small room where he can't get out and explore all the new smells, than he's 'hyper' alert...therefor reacting I'm sure to perhaps the altered scent of your daughter?
The cat is only with you for a week, can she just avoid the laundry room for a week if shes afraid of the cat?...I doubt a gentle cat would do bite, however it may be a good idea for her to just avoid the poor little guy.
best of luck
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