newborns and pets

[ampatnode]

I'm a first time mom (due march 23)and have a cat that's going to be 3 in January.  I've tried to introduce my cat to those of the younger crowd (no younger than 2)but she usually hisses (I have her wrapped in a towel) yet when I am lying down she comes up to me and "makes biscuits" right where the baby is positioned. Is she only hissing at the others because she's not use to them, they don't have my scent or she just doesn't like kids? I've also had her her whole life and she's never bit or scratched me.

[Sheba27]

I think the towel method might put her off the idea of meeting someone new. Perhaps just let her roam and come to the new person herself. She'll be doing that anyway after baby, just watch her closely around the little one. Every cat I've had warms on its own schedule and will either warm up eventually or not, but I've only had one cat that didn't like other animals and people. Some animals are solitary in that sense. But if your cat is cuddly with you, it's likely going to end up that way with baby.

[mrsemmett]

My dog is a Staffordshire Bull terrier btw lol  they have such a bad name but she is like a big kid herself :-) always giving my baby kisses (even tho she is not supposed to!)  Pets lern ro no their place

[mrsemmett]

Ur cat will no doubt b wary of ur new baby but after a couple of days ur new baby will just b part of the furniture so to speak lol my dog was so integrated by my baby for like a week but now she's just used to her being there! It will work out :-)

[NiceyBaby]

Just be careful with the cat litter is all I have to say!!! Allergic to cats but love small dogs I plan to get one after the baby comes....

[lalala_ashleyx3]

You can't just suggest people get rid of their pets before the baby comes.. there are ways of introducing them.
And alot of articles..
i have 2 cats and a German Shepard..
I'm worried about the dog being jealous, but at the same time if you make the baby a positive thing to them.. they'll love it. Just like treats...
I'm currently keeping all the pets out of the living room, and when the baby comes they can come in certain times when she does.. to them, they think they're allowed there because the baby is. they associate positive situations and rewards with the baby being around.

(some pets do become impossible, but if you start spending less time with them now.. And pay attention to them more with the baby... they'll think the baby is the reason, and enjoy him or her.)

[EstrellaRuiz]

Cats do get jealous. If you've always had the cat and shown it attention she could just be jealous.. I had a cat I had from the day he was born and once I had my daughter I had to get rid of him because of how jealous he was, it was seriously like having another kid! He became clingy and kept trying to kill my baby when she was asleep!! He would lay in her face to suffocate her when I wasn't looking, even though I had invested so much money into that cat I got rid of him. Just because she's not vicious towards you doesn't mean she won't be once you have the baby. I always suggest people get rid if animals before the baby comes because of possible allergies and situations where the animal could accidentally hurt the baby or vise versa..