Cat and new baby on the way, suggestions?

Hi,I was wondering if anyone else has had a cat and got pregnant. My DH scoops the litter so not too worried about the cat during my pregnancy, but does anyone have any ideas on how to prepare a cat (pet) for a new baby. I'm 17 weeks so I still have a few months to go. My cat is very gentle and good-natured and I would never let my baby be alone with the cat ever, but I still worry that the cat could hurt the baby. I don't want to give this cat away, but if it would come down to it, the cat would go if she can't adjust to the baby. Any suggestions on how to help my cat prepare.

[40weeks]

I cleane dthe litter my whole pregnancy with no problems, as for after i have no idea how my cats will act

[neparker]

I had a cat too, and she never caused any problems.  She wasn't curious or upset or anything, she just went on her normal way.

[Jenny77]

Thanks so much for the encouragement etc. I do think our cat will be ok, but I know it will be an adjustment for her too.  SHe also sleeps with me every night. We will be moving to a bigger apartment in Aug so I am actually going to wait until our move to start kicking her out of our bed (not literally kicking). I"m glad to hear that other people have had a cat and had a baby. I have a lot of people telling us that we are crazy for keeping our cat after we found out we are pregnant again.
   I know this sounds crazy to some people, but this cat has been such a help to me after my m/c last year. I truly think that animals can help us to heal emotionally after things like that. My m/c was in June '05 and I got adopted my kitty in Nov 05 and she has lifted my spirits more than anything else did.

[greenpixie]

This will sound nutty but I had a friend that was worried about how her dog would react.  When she was late in her pregnancy she bought a doll and started carrying it around the house with her.  She would "tend" to the doll before the dog, put it in the crib, etc.  I would feel like a moron doing this, but she swears it helped.

[enaj]

Before you bring the baby home, bring home a blanket or shirt with the baby's smell on it and let the cat have it. You could also get recordings of a baby crying and play that before the baby comes home. I've never heard of a cat doing anything to a baby. Of course, later, when the baby starts pulling the cat's tail, there might be trouble. I am a grandmother and one of my cats nipped at my grandson once when he was playing too rough, but it didn't hurt him, and he (my grandson) learned a good lesson.

[toyml99]

I TOTALLY UNDERSTAND MY CAT IS MY SANITY!!!!!!!!!  JUST WOULDN'T BE THE SAME WITHOUT HER OR MY PUP!

[groovymama]

Hi there I had four cats when my son was born and they never once bugged him. He will be a year in June and they still don't go into his room.

[npd]

Just a tip for those with cats who are expecting... a month or two before the baby is due, put tin foil in the baby's crib, bassinnette, or anywhere else you don't want the cat to go (change table, dresser top etc.).  They HATE tin foil and generally will only make the mistake of jumping on it once or twice.  By the time the baby comes they will have already learned to avoid the crib...

[AnnieBrooke]

Sorry to get off the topic of cats and onto dogs, but when my nephew was crawling and just beginning to walk, if the nephew had a cold featuring one of those stalactite-style snots running down, my dog would jump in and neatly clean it off.  We tried not to let the dog do it, since though it was kind of comical and not dangerous, it was also just a bit too nauseating.  By the time my nephew was walking, whenever he would come face to face with the dog, he would put both hands over his nose.

[ni-ki]

Well i have a cat and when i was pregnant my cat knew something was up she could sense something so she started acting kind of over protective and was always around me and what not. Well i had my baby and this is only day 2 of him being home but so far she seems to have adjusted fine she is a lil cautious when he crys like she comes running to see whats going on but she doesn't bother him or anything she sniffed his head one time to see what it was and that was it... but i would just say that afterwards keep an eye out. i don't forsee there being a problem most animals adjust just fine... But good luck!

[toyml99]

My cat is crazy!!!!  She is very needy at night.  Sleeps in my arms most every night.  She is such a good cuddler.  I am 31 weeks today and my dh is just nuts about when we bring the baby home.  We have spent $70 on a tent that goes over the crib.  He is just not taking any chances.  My cat has gotten really protective and jealous since I have gotten preggo.  If my dog comes to my side of the bed at night and I pet her my cat slaps the dog.  She will have to adjust when baby gets here and it is going to be hard for her.  She will have to learn to sleep outside our bedroom while baby is in the cradle in our room.  She will survive....it's only a few months.

[jifnif]

I am 25 weeks and we have a possesive cat and dog....we are hoping that everyone will adjust???

[alseedus]

For the most part, cats wont want anything to do with the baby other than just knowing where it is in the house. So I wouldnt worry about it. I would hate to hear that you gave your pet away without really trying to get them to live in harmony (Hey! Before griping at me- IT HAPPENS! My sister works for a shelter and it happens all the time, needlessly!) As for dogs, I would imagine there are resources available on the internet that talk about how to introduce a baby to a dog so please read up on those (for the poster with the dog). I'll be doing the same thing since we have a small dog who has not been around a baby before.. we got the pet after our son was over a year old.

[AnnieBrooke]

Cats adjust.  They're mostly afraid of babies, because of the sudden noises, etc. and the protective mommy that is always nearby. Cats are great believers in the seniority system; if the alpha couple (you and spouse) reproduce, that's the way it's supposed to be.  (Dogs are that way even more.  My dog is FASCINATED by babies, but if he even thinks you have caught him looking, he runs off.  Can't be caught looking at the king's offspring.)  I like the baby-crying tape idea and the blanket idea, also it wouldn't hurt to expose your cat to some really noisy toddler you know.  The cat will quickly get the idea that the safest place to spend time when the child is around is under the bed.  Another thing you can put into the crib to discourage the cat from jumping in it before the baby comes home is balloons.  Truth is, there is a lot of dopey stuff floating around in the general lore that comes from grandma's grandma about cats being dangerous to babies, but I've seen a lot of cat-loving families include cats and babies together and never have a problem.  Don't give up your beloved pet (the source of so much comfort and joy) over a theoretical risk that is at least partly based on old wives' tales.  You will probably find they will do fine together, and you will have the fun of having a purring ally when the day is tough.

[alseedus]

Or if your really worried, you can get one of those tent net things to keep your cat out of the crib while baby is sleeping in there at night. I think they're about $50 and mostly found online..

[ange800]

I had 4 cats when I had my baby they couldnt of cared less they all kept well away and got used to her crying over a few days we just put in a mesh door so there was no way the cats could get into her bedroom not that they were interested. I'm preg again and down to 3 cats and are not worried at all I think its great to bring a baby up with animals just dont leave them alone with them if you think your cat or dog may be a jealous type.