What shall I do with my cat?

crossroads · Feb 15th, 2010, 11:04 AM

I'm not sure what happens to a cat when a baby is brought into the home. Will the cat try to attack? Is it safe to have a cat when you have a baby? Should we get our cat de-clawed? (Ouch!)

I REALLY don't want to get rid of my cat if it can be helped.

Advice please folks! x

**Vickie** · Feb 15th, 2010, 11:07 AM

I have two cats, wouldn't dream of getting rid of them and they both still have their claws (I don't like the idea of de-clawing at all!) We keep them out of Hannah's room and as with any animal they don't get left alone with her. We've honestly had no problems. There has been once or twice that Hannah would pull the fur and the cat would swipe at her but never used their claws. If I had felt that their claws were going to be an issue I would have used soft paws.

Mostly we tried to give the cats lots of attention still when she was brought home and we locked them out of our room well before Hannah came home so they didn't associate her with the lack of their freedom

stephwiggy · Feb 15th, 2010, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crossroads

I'm not sure what happens to a cat when a baby is brought into the home. Will the cat try to attack? Is it safe to have a cat when you have a baby? Should we get our cat de-clawed? (Ouch!)

I REALLY don't want to get rid of my cat if it can be helped.

Advice please folks! x

Is your cat the type to attack ?? IF so teach it thats not an option before the baby arrives !!

If you have a house pet that you love and is well looked after etc i cannot see why it would randomly attack your child ?!?!

kmac625 · Feb 15th, 2010, 11:16 AM

I have 3 cats and they will still be part of the family once baby arrives. They won't be allowed into baby's room and will never be left alone with baby (as no animal should be). I'm not concerned they will attack. Mostly I think they will stay away from the baby on their own.

modo · Feb 15th, 2010, 11:16 AM

Declawing is a horrible procedure which is basically the equivalent of the amputation of the tip your finger at the first joint with each finger both hands. It is also illegal in the UK (thank God!)

I would just make sure that you don't leave your cat and the baby supervised and invest in some cat nets for your moses basket/cot. You know your cat best

katzone · Feb 15th, 2010, 11:17 AM

I have some paranoias about our cat trying to jump in the cot for "cuddles" and smothering LO.
He won't be allowed in our bedroom whilst we have LO in with us but when LO is a bit bigger and sharing a room with DS he has his door open at night and our cat comes and goes as he pleases. He has never tried to sleep in with DS so I hope he doesn't with the LO either.
I think for our cat personally - although he can be a bit "nutty" and have mad flying, running, jumping times around the house once he hears the baby crying he will be wary of them, intrigued, but wary and keep away until they are a bit bigger.

LankyDoodle · Feb 15th, 2010, 11:29 AM

De-CLAW your cat? Are you serious!?

Shall I de-hoof my horses? No because I won't be making my baby a little manger in my horse's stable and leaving him to babysit!

It isn't going to be a problem because you're not going to leave your pets alone with your baby for a moment are you?

thechaosismex · Feb 15th, 2010, 11:31 AM

You dont own a white tiger or a lion do you?

Eternal · Feb 15th, 2010, 11:36 AM

Is there some reason why you forsee a problem?

We have a cat and a 9 week old baby without any problems at all, obviously keep an eye out but would with a baby anyway. I fully anticipate that at some point Sam will be pulling tails etc and our cat his brilliant with children and just puts up with it. however i think you should educate the child to be gentle and if he gets a scratch then it will teach him not to do it again.

As for babies and cats i see no issues at all. my cat hasnt once tried to do any of the horror stories that you hear about (ie cats smothering children) I really believe these stories were made up by cat hating people.

mrsraggle · Feb 15th, 2010, 11:37 AM

We're going to start stopping our cats from sleeping in our room before baby arrives so the connection between the two isn't there and avoid any envy. And once the nursery's complete it will be a no cat zone!

I'm sure our cats will be more scared of the baby!!

Feb 15th, 2010, 11:04 AM	#1
crossroads Mum (Mom) BnB Addict Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Newcastle, UK Posts: 4,424	What shall I do with my cat? I'm not sure what happens to a cat when a baby is brought into the home. Will the cat try to attack? Is it safe to have a cat when you have a baby? Should we get our cat de-clawed? (Ouch!) I REALLY don't want to get rid of my cat if it can be helped. Advice please folks! x

Status: Offline

Feb 15th, 2010, 11:07 AM	#2
Vickie Mum (Mom) Administrator Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Toronto, ON Posts: 75,683	I have two cats, wouldn't dream of getting rid of them and they both still have their claws (I don't like the idea of de-clawing at all!) We keep them out of Hannah's room and as with any animal they don't get left alone with her. We've honestly had no problems. There has been once or twice that Hannah would pull the fur and the cat would swipe at her but never used their claws. If I had felt that their claws were going to be an issue I would have used soft paws. Mostly we tried to give the cats lots of attention still when she was brought home and we locked them out of our room well before Hannah came home so they didn't associate her with the lack of their freedom

Status: Online

Feb 15th, 2010, 11:16 AM	#4
kmac625 Mum (Mom) BnB Addict Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Toronto, Ontario Canada Posts: 5,310	I have 3 cats and they will still be part of the family once baby arrives. They won't be allowed into baby's room and will never be left alone with baby (as no animal should be). I'm not concerned they will attack. Mostly I think they will stay away from the baby on their own.

Status: Offline

Feb 15th, 2010, 11:16 AM	#5
modo Mum (Mom) BnB Addict Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Greater London Posts: 3,255	Declawing is a horrible procedure which is basically the equivalent of the amputation of the tip your finger at the first joint with each finger both hands. It is also illegal in the UK (thank God!) I would just make sure that you don't leave your cat and the baby supervised and invest in some cat nets for your moses basket/cot. You know your cat best

Status: Offline

Feb 15th, 2010, 11:17 AM	#6
katzone Mum (Mom) Chat Happy BnB Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Devon, UK Posts: 1,187	I have some paranoias about our cat trying to jump in the cot for "cuddles" and smothering LO. He won't be allowed in our bedroom whilst we have LO in with us but when LO is a bit bigger and sharing a room with DS he has his door open at night and our cat comes and goes as he pleases. He has never tried to sleep in with DS so I hope he doesn't with the LO either. I think for our cat personally - although he can be a bit "nutty" and have mad flying, running, jumping times around the house once he hears the baby crying he will be wary of them, intrigued, but wary and keep away until they are a bit bigger.

Status: Offline

Feb 15th, 2010, 11:29 AM	#7
LankyDoodle Mum (Mom) BnB Addict Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: England Posts: 4,928	De-CLAW your cat? Are you serious!? Shall I de-hoof my horses? No because I won't be making my baby a little manger in my horse's stable and leaving him to babysit! It isn't going to be a problem because you're not going to leave your pets alone with your baby for a moment are you?

Status: Offline

Feb 15th, 2010, 11:31 AM	#8
thechaosismex Mum (Mom) Chat Happy BnB Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Wilts Posts: 1,541	You dont own a white tiger or a lion do you?

Status: Offline

Feb 15th, 2010, 11:36 AM	#9
Eternal Mum (Mom) BnB Addict Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Swansea, Wales Posts: 6,624	Is there some reason why you forsee a problem? We have a cat and a 9 week old baby without any problems at all, obviously keep an eye out but would with a baby anyway. I fully anticipate that at some point Sam will be pulling tails etc and our cat his brilliant with children and just puts up with it. however i think you should educate the child to be gentle and if he gets a scratch then it will teach him not to do it again. As for babies and cats i see no issues at all. my cat hasnt once tried to do any of the horror stories that you hear about (ie cats smothering children) I really believe these stories were made up by cat hating people.

Status: Offline

Feb 15th, 2010, 11:37 AM	#10
mrsraggle Mum (Mom) BnB Addict Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: North Birmingham/South Staffs Posts: 9,091	We're going to start stopping our cats from sleeping in our room before baby arrives so the connection between the two isn't there and avoid any envy. And once the nursery's complete it will be a no cat zone! I'm sure our cats will be more scared of the baby!!

Status: Offline

Similar Threads
My OH got swine flu, any1 else/what shall I do?	Pregnancy - Third Trimester
What Shall I do?	Pregnancy - Third Trimester

User Name		Remember Me?
Password