Pregnancy, Birth, Babies and Pets

[RachiePachie]

Hi everyone

I have two cats that I love to pieces. One is a mommys boy the other a daddys boy.

I just wanted to know if anyone has pets here and if they were fine with the baby. I know of problems but the problems I know of I have decided on ways to rid of those chances.

 

[Sara]

I have lots of pets but haven't actually given birth yet...! That's not much help sorry...

Me & my four other sibs all grew up with loads of cats in the house and there was never any cats-on-baby's-face situations or any of that.

The hardest thing about having cats and babies is getting 'advice' from busybodies!

 

[RachiePachie]

lol ie. my nan - she's a busybody - I haven't told her yet and wont for a while.

I take it the baby will adapt to the atmosphere obviously there is fur in the air that to the most we can't see!

 

[PitBullMommy]

I have 7 cats, a dog (pit bull/german shep mix), hamster and 5 aquariums of fish. I haven't had my baby yet (obviously), but I have had babies over and haven't had any problem with the pets. The cats ignore them and the dog, well she ignores them unless they're crying and then she tries to give them kisses. Try bringing baby stuff into your home early so they get used to it, have friends bring their babies over (if possible) so they get used to the sounds and smells. There are a lot of websites on how to help pets adjust.

 

[RachiePachie]

I have 7 cats, a dog (pit bull/german shep mix), hamster and 5 aquariums of fish. I haven't had my baby yet (obviously), but I have had babies over and haven't had any problem with the pets. The cats ignore them and the dog, well she ignores them unless they're crying and then she tries to give them kisses. Try bringing baby stuff into your home early so they get used to it, have friends bring their babies over (if possible) so they get used to the sounds and smells. There are a lot of websites on how to help pets adjust.

Blimey you live at a zoo lol.

Sadly no one I know has children around here as my family live 185 miles away. I know my eldest cat will be fine as he's been around children and babies before. But my kitten (1 1/2 years old) he's been around my 13 yr old step daughter and was fine but I don't know about babies.

I will try and bring some stuff into the house after we move in April since this house isn't big enough for children.

 

[PurestFeeling]

I have three cats and the only one we're worried about is the littlest kitten Hallie cause she does not listen and won't learn. She's not agressive but I don't want her jumping into the baby's crib and trying to play with it. We're thinking about declawing 2 of them just incase.

 

[RachiePachie]

I didn't think declawing was legal in the UK.

We've decided the cats won't be allowed in the Nursery or the Kitchen and will not be allowed in the living room if the baby is sleeping there.

 

[Sara]

Please Please Please don't declaw your cats!
It's unnecessary cruelty. Cats need their claws to climb not just scratch.
We spend an hour one night every month clipping the claws of our 17 cats & our dog and I'm sure they'd rather that than have their claws ripped out.

Thankfully it is illegal in this country, along with other cruel practises that other countries take in their stride.

 

[RachiePachie]

I would agree with you there - my cats are both house cats and have their claws cut monthly at the vets. 17 cats lol. You have a busy house hold.

 

[reallytinyamy]

I too clip the claws on my cats. I have 5 and its mainly so they don't hurt each other as they play fight.

As for with a baby, I am worried, about one in particular, Rufus. I think I will have problems with him and a baby, he's bad enough with other cats. Thinking I will probably have to find him a new home. I have 2 rats too but they're no problem and I think the goldfish will be just fine!

 

[Tam]

At the moment I have 6 cats.....well 2 cats and 4 kittens and they have all been absolutely fine around Alfie......I also babysit 2 other babies during the day and they have been fine with them. They are playful, but stay clear of the babies.

We banned the cats from ALL the bedrooms before Alfie arrived and set the boundaries then and it has worked out really well! Alfie don't bother with them and they don't bother with him!

 

[PitBullMommy]

Instead of declawing, which is becoming increasingly more and more illegal, try this alternative. I use it on my cats and it works out great! www.softpaws.com They're wonderful. As for not letting pets into the nursery, we're thinking of installing a screen door onto the babies room, outside the regular door, that way the door can be open, but pets can't get in.

 

[ChefSara77]

We have two cats and a dog...but we're talking about finding new homes for the cats I love them to death, but we *just can't* keep the dog from thinking they are toys and running around the house chasing them. They have their claws, and they've scratched the dogs nose on more than one occasion, but she just doesn't learn. She thinks the cats are the best toys ever!! So now, one cat spends all his time under the bed, and we never see him except at feeding time, and the other one spends all her time on the top shelf of our closet. We were talking about rehoming them before we were even trying to get preg, but have been hoping we could teach the dog, and give the cats some semblance of a quality of life. But it hasn't happened.

I'm not at all worried about the dog and the baby though. She has already demonstrated that she is great with kids, and she is (usually) very obedient. Though I know I'll get some weird looks from the neighbors when I start taking walks with an empty stroller to get the dog used to walking with it!!