The Marin Humane Society commonly gets questioned about how to manage an existing cat and new baby together. First, it’s important to lay the groundwork carefully.
The body language of “Boots,” your cat, will tell you how involved he wants to be with the new baby. Like dogs and people, cats need time to adjust to change. Too much change too fast can have some cats reacting by not using their litter box properly. But here are some steps to help you and your cat through this period of adjustment.
Before the baby arrives, let Boots explore the baby's room and all the new items that are coming into the house. Being there while he explores will help ease the transition. Give your cat reassuring strokes and talk in a calm voice. Add treats into the mix and your cat might even find it fun!
After the baby arrives, everyone's schedule will be in flux. Your cat relies on you to create a loving and predictable home — and predictability to a cat means safety. Often, a family can feel stretched or overwhelmed with a new baby in the home and the pets fall by the wayside. Keeping your cat’s feeding schedule the same and having regular play times will ensure that your cat feels loved and a member of the family. Let Boots sniff around and play with you during TV time, reassuring him of your relationship with him.
There is an old superstition about cats sucking the breath out of the baby, but it’s not true! However, what is true is that your cat probably has a talent for finding the softest, warmest spot in your house. And you have worked very hard to make the baby’s crib soft and warm. There have been reports of cats snuggling with babies and sleeping in a baby’s crib. You will want to prevent this. Keeping the door to the baby’s room closed, and only letting the cat explore the room while you are in it, is a safe way to manage your cat’s curiosity. Setting up comfortable cat beds in the house will entice your cat to find warmth and comfort elsewhere.
Introducing a baby or child is best taken in small steps. Going slowly will give your cat time to process all that is going on. When the baby begins to explore his or her surroundings by crawling around, letting the cat watch from afar is a good way to start.
Animals consider being stared at a threat, so letting the cat come directly face to face with your child is not ideal. Offer your cat the baby’s blanket to smell, then the baby’s foot (never the face). Go slowly.
When it comes time to allow your child to interact directly with your cat or kitten, again, adult supervision is necessary. Children’s quick movements can trigger a cat to strike out in defense. The adult should role model speaking softly to the cat and slowly stroking the cat near the shoulders for a very brief period of time. Then, give the child and cat time to process this new experience and let Boots run away if he wants to. He will come back for another visit when he’s ready. Often, adult cats will sit back and watch a child until they feel comfortable.
Remember, keeping your cat a part of the family will help him adjust to change and keep him from marking or not using the litter box properly.
Laura Hazard is the cat behavior consultant at the Marin Humane Society.
Tails of Marin appears every Saturday in the Home & Garden section of the Marin Independent Journal
