Today, pets are an integral part of life in many homes, especially the cat. A true companion animal, this domestic feline is treated like one of the family. He eats with their masters and even sleeps in their rooms.
However, when the family is growing and a newcomer will soon be born, it may not be easy to make a baby and a cat live together.
Indeed, the arrival of a baby can change the behavior of your adorable animal which will lead to unstable changes. It is for this reason that it is advisable to know and analyze certain received ideas about cats and children.
Here are some explanations to prepare your chat and ensure that the collaboration is successful.
Why does the arrival of a baby bother your cat?
As said before, the family cat is treated like a child. He eats with you, you pamper him, he sleeps in your room, and he can access every room in the house. But after the birth of a baby , you have the obligation to adopt new habits of life with your feline. Indeed, the simple fact of seeing you spending time with your baby will make him jealous.
Suddenly, his olfactory organ will be destabilized which will bring mood changes. Thus, your pet will get angry, sulk and want to mark its territory.
What are the advantages of having a cat for a baby?
It is good to know that the received ideas about cats and children are all positive. After which, the presence of a cat actively participates in the education of a baby. Indeed, its presence increases the emotional maturity of children, and allows them to learn to live with a living being that they can also take care of.
The cat is not at all dangerous for children. Many parents think that it is a formidable feline, because it is able to scratch or even bite. In general, his scratches and bites only cause non-fatal infections which are less common than those caused by dogs.
In addition, this furry animal is able to endure rambunctious children, especially kittens . Indeed, animals that grow up in the presence of one or more children are more understanding. On the other hand, an adult cat will not be able to adapt to the brutal behavior of a child, he will opt for flight.
What are the risks for babies of having a cat at home?
Beyond the phase of acceptance, do not forget that a baby is fragile and sensitive in front of an animal. Indeed, he has an immune system too weak to withstand infections. There are mainly 3 high-risk infections for an infant:
- Familial non-food zoonoses such as ringworm, toxoplasmosis, pasteurellosis, cat scratch disease
- Pet allergies such as asthma
- Accidents: bites, scratches and asphyxiation which affect 45% of children aged 0 to 5 years.
How to make a cat accept a baby?
It is quite possible to have a baby live with pets, whether a cat or a dog , provided you adopt the right behavior.
To do this, you must first organize the presentations. It is important to familiarize the cat with the presence of the infant by putting it in contact, before birth, with the cradle and all the objects of the baby's life. For example, you can show her around your baby's room or sniff her cute blankets and pajamas . As the cat is endowed with a power of divination, these presentations will allow him to welcome the newcomer as something natural that will not upset his habits, but will be part of a reassuring continuity.
In this case, for a peaceful cohabitation, it is recommended to:
- Organize presentations
- Let your cat smell your baby's laundry to get familiar with the smell
- Clearly delineate your companion's territory within the family: store his bedding, his bowls, his toys, his litter and the rest of his belongings in a reserved place
- Keep your litter box out of the reach of your children
- Teach your cat other ways of contact
- Prohibit direct contact between your child and your cat until he becomes an adult
- Buy treats regularly
- Take care of your cat even in the presence of the baby
Certainly, these habits are to be taken little by little. A strange behavior could disturb him.
What are the habits and precautions to take into account?
It is quite possible to make your cat and your baby live together if you follow the specific behaviors and rules of hygiene to the letter. For an optimal lifestyle, it is advisable to wash your hands carefully after touching your cat to kill any germs and bacteria that may be deposited.
In order to combat allergies , please clean all rooms in your home regularly with a vacuum cleaner. It is strongly forbidden to sleep with a cat. Prohibit its access in your kitchen and never try to touch its saliva. When you clean his litter box, don't forget to put on gloves. Do not hesitate to wash your adorable feline so that it always remains clean.
It should be noted that cats do not kill babies if they sleep on them. On the contrary, according to research, specialists have proven that its presence would significantly reduce the risk of allergies in newborns. However, it will risk suffocating your baby by leaning on it, especially if your baby weighs only 2-3 kg.
The main precautions actually concern the cleaning of his litter box with his bare hands and the follow-up of his vaccines at the veterinarian . Also remember to create a corner that belongs only to him so that your cat can rest and find peace. Indeed, like any living being, the latter also needs to recover its strength to be able to play with the baby.
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