Newborn Babies & Cats in the Home

The Risk of Cats Smothering Newborns

• Most expectant parents who own cats have heard comments that their cat is going to smother the new baby and that they need to give the cat up for adoption. This is simply untrue. Although some cats do enjoy the warmth from laying on their owners, parents can make sure that the family cat has no access to the baby or his crib. It is important that parents establish rules with the cat before the baby is born, for example not allowing the cat to climb inside of the crib or playpen. Teaching the cat that this is not allowed beforehand reduces the likelihood that the cat will want to sleep in that area. This can be done by squirting the cat with a bit of water from a spray bottle each time she climbs into the crib, and providing her with her own warm bed to sleep in. Rewards should be given when she sleeps in her bed. Keeping the door to the bedroom or nursery closed prevents the cats from accessing the area while the baby is in the crib. Baby monitors can be used in order to hear the baby when he wakes up. Cat owners may wish to attach a screen door onto their bedroom to allow the cats to see the baby but not get into the crib with him.

Cats and Diseases

• Most cat diseases cannot be passed on to humans, though there is a parasite that can be of concern during pregnancy and after the baby's birth. Toxoplasmosis is a parasite found in some cats' feces. This is most common in outdoor cats, but cats can pick up the disease by eating raw meat or encountering infected feces of other animals. Humans who have been exposed to toxoplasmosis in the past have an immunity that prevents them from picking up the disease again, but pregnant women and babies are susceptible to poor health effects if they are exposed, such as muscle aches, eye damage or brain damage to the baby. Parents can ensure that their baby is never exposed to the cat's feces by keeping the litter box in a closed-off area such as a kitchen or bathroom that is equipped with a locking door or baby gate. After scooping the litter box, hands should be washed immediately. Home surfaces should be cleaned and disinfected on a regular basis and parents should teach the cat that it is not to walk on counter tops and tables. Keeping the cat indoors and away from raw meat and strange cats reduces that chances that the cat will be exposed to the disease.

Clawing and Biting Concerns

• Clawing and biting is always a concern when there are cats in the home with small children. If a cat bites family members, parents should immediately try to train the cat not to bite. This can be done using a spray bottle filled with water to squirt that cat whenever he bites. If the biting habit is not easily broken, it may be necessary to find the cat a new home or keep the cat away from the baby at all times. Clawing is a problem that is easy for cat owners to fix. The owners may wish to have the cat declawed to prevent scratching of furniture and family members. If declawing is not an option, the owners can trim the cat's claws on a weekly basis and may even wish to apply plastic claw covers to the cat's nails. These covers are attached with glue and can be purchased in a number of colors. They prevent the cat from being able to cause damage by scratching.

Animal Allergies

• Animal allergies are always a possibility with small children, but not a reason to get rid of a cat before bringing the baby home. If the baby comes home and develops symptoms such as frequent sneezing, coughing, runny nose and red eyes, it is likely that she has an allergy to something in the home. The allergy may not be caused by cats. A doctor can help parents to try to pinpoint the cause of the allergy symptoms. Using an air purifier in the home, keeping the windows open when weather permits and vacuuming regularly can reduce common household allergens and may treat the baby's symptoms without needing to get rid of the family cat.

Fear That the Cat Will Dislike the Baby

• Expectant parents may worry that the family cat won't get along with the new baby. While this is a common concern, it often turns out that the cat is protective and loving toward the new baby. Crying may be alarming for the cat at first, but they are able to become accustom to the noise, with some cats even attempting to go to the baby or alert parents when he cries. Even if a cat acts loving towards a newborn baby, it is important that parents never leave the baby alone with animals.