For those of you who have cats ...

what are you planning to do with him/her when you get pregnant?
This is a constant argument in our house -- she is my 'step' child and I have very strong feelings and fears of having her around when I'm pregnant and when the baby is an infant. You read so many terrifying stories about cat scratch disease, and knowing our cat, she loves to jump on top of everything and everyone, so I'm so afraid of her jumping on top of a baby and possibly ****ing the breath out of him/her.
I'm probably just 'out of my mind' ... but she's only 6 1/2 and will definitely be around when we will start planning ... I'm just curious what you 'cat owners' plan to do?

Re: For those of you who have cats ...

I'm not worried about that at all. I would never even think of getting rid of her. Is your cat declawed?

My aunt and uncle have 2 cats with an infant at home. Last time I was there one of the cats was actually watcing guard over the baby!

Re: For those of you who have cats ...

I think the same thing. I have a cat, and he is my baby. He is all about attention seeking, and worry that he will get jealous of the baby. I will NOT get rid of my cat, but will just have to see what will happen when the time comes.

Re: For those of you who have cats ...

I am pregnant and have 2 cats - my babies! I have read alot about what is suggested to do to get the pet use to the coming baby. One thing they mention is starting early with giving the cat less attention so it doesn't get jealous. Guess what? I can't do it! They love to cuddle and I don't have the heart to ignore them. So I am going to just see how it goes. I'm going to be concious of giving them some attention after the baby comes - when he or she is asleep, giving them some petting time. But I definitely will keep them out of the room where the baby is sleeping. That they will have to get use to - no way around it. My SIL has 3 cats and she did no prep with the cats for my niece's arrival. Contrary to everything you hear, they handled the whole thing very well and adapted just fine. It definitely makes sense to be cautious and I would never leave the baby alone with the cats but there are many things to try before resorting to feeling like I need to think about giving my kitties up. I've had my one cat for 11 1/2 years and the other for 7 - not too easy to find a home for cats this age, nor do I want to get rid of them. They are not declawed and I would never consider it either. I will take it as it comes and expect the worst but hope for the best. There really are lots more suggestions from experts on things you can do - they have a dome screen you can buy that you can put over the crib when the baby sleeps, I even read a suggestion of putting a screen door on the baby's room. It sounds funny but if your cats can see what is going on, that can satisfy their curiosity without giving them access to the baby too. So when the time comes, you can seek out suggestions like these and others. Hope this helps...I'll keep you posted how it works for me since our baby is due very soon.

Re: For those of you who have cats ...

Thanks ladies ... the one difference between us is that this is my husband's cat and she did not take a liking to me, so I'm even more afraid of a baby. She bites and scratches me when she feels like it. She doesn't like her back being touched, so forget about a kid touching her. But my husband loves her.
We had problems with her spraying when I first came into the picture. And she has never forgiven me from taking some attention away from her.
She is NOT declawed and goes outdoors all the time. She's a 'terror' too, when it comes to birds and mice!
We'll cross this bridge when it comes to it ... but thanks for your advice.
Elizabeth -- keep me posted! I definitely would like to hear how your cat handles the new situation!

Re: For those of you who have cats ... (SORRY...LONG Reply)

One thing you can do is try to find a recording of a baby crying, gurgling, making baby noises etc.. and play that at home the cat can get used to the sounds.
You can also get some sprays at the pet store that can help keep the cat off furniture. You can spray it near the door to the baby's room so the cat learns that room is off-limits (I've heard that cats don't like the perfume jean-nate but I can't confirm that). Be sure to check to see about the toxicity around baby's before using it.
About de-clawing (I don't mean to get on my soapbox but...) de-clawing isn't what is sounds like. When a cat is de-clawed the vet removes the nail and the bone up to the first knuckle so the whole foot is effected. Not only has the cat lost its only means of defense (if its an outside cat) but it can change the way a cat balances. I am not bad-mouthing people who have had their cats de-clawed. It is a personal decision for each and every cat owner and of course a baby's safety should be first in your mind but in case you are thinking about having the cat de-clawed I just want to let you know what it really means. (O.K.... stepping off the soap-box now)
Whatever you decide I wish you the very best!
M

Re: For those of you who have cats ... (SORRY...LONG Reply)

kidlibny,
I am with you on the cat de-clawing. I heard if you are going to do it, it should be done at an early age, because it will heal properly. Im NOT a fan of having cat's declawed. We have a leather couch, and DH thought it would be a problem, but the cat has no interest in sctatching the couch. We got him a scratching post, and he LOVES it.

Re: For those of you who have cats ... (SORRY...LONG Reply)

Cira,
If this cat doesnt even like you and bites and scratches you, talk to your DH.. when me and my DH were talking of moving in together he had a cat. I am VERY VERY allergic to cats. So I told him I could not move in with him unless the cat goes.. we were planning on leaving it at his moms house, but suddenly the cat was hit by a car a died. my dh was sooo sad ( i had never seen him cry before ) , back to the point, can you ask your mother in law to take the cat? that way he could still see the cat but at least it would be one less thing to worry about?

Re: For those of you who have cats ... (SORRY...LONG Reply)

Hi Cira, how are you???

Just one thing to add. Cat feces may contain a parasite called toxoplasmoses. Many people are exposed to this (it also occurs in raw and undercooked meat) and develop an immunity to it. If you are not immune, there is a slight chance that you can infect your unborn baby and it can cause serious birth defects. It's very rare, but the threat exists.

If/when you are pregnant, have hubby change the litter, or do it while wearing rubber gloves. Don't garden outdoors in an area the cat uses as a litter box.

Hope that newly-wed life is treating you well! Stay happy!!

Re: For those of you who have cats ... (SORRY...LONG Reply)

OMG I heard of that toxicplasmosos thing,,!!! and it was also in the movie 9 months!!!!!!!

Re: For those of you who have cats ... (SORRY...LONG Reply)

My kitten is my baby right now and even after I have a 'real' baby I will still love her. I do not, for one minute, fear her hurting a baby, she has never done that before with other's children. I make sure she is healthy. She goes to her vet annually for all shots and health check-ups. She is also an indoor only cat- so she doesn't pick up other's cat's health problems.

Re: For those of you who have cats ... (SORRY...LONG Reply)

The truth is, no one can be 100% confident that any pet wouldn't hurt an infant. Animals have instincts that humans don't understand, and in my opinion, no one should ever completely trust an animal with their child. Animals have feelings of jealousy too, and the shock of bringing a newborn into the home for the first time might be enough to make the animal very upset.

We did not have any pets when my son was born, but we moved into my parents house when Paul was just 3 months old. About 3 weeks before we moved, I mailed one of the baby's tee shirts to my Mom so that the dog could sniff the shirt and learn the baby's scent. So far, we haven't had any incidents, but I never, ever take my eyes off the baby when the dog is nearby.

Re: For those of you who have cats ... (SORRY...LONG Reply)

I agree with Claudine about never being able to be 100% sure about any pet. As much as I love my furry babies, and I hope it never comes to it, they would have to go if anything endangered the real baby. I have heard that also about the piece of clothing, thanks for reminding me. I am going to have my DH bring something home from the hospital that the baby wore before I am discharged to let the cats get the scent.

Re: Toxoplamosis - if you have lived with cats for awhile you probably have developed an immunity to it - but take no chances. I haven't touched cat litter since I've been pregnant, DH does it.....and I like it that way for every reason you can imagine!! I hope we can keep that routine after the baby is born. Toxoplasmosis can also be found in dirt, ie, if you are gardening and neighborhood animals possibly poop there. You especially want to be careful in early pregnancy when the vital organs of the fetus are first developing.

Do a search on line on the topic of cats/dogs and pregnancy or check any pregnancy book, there's alot more info on the topic.

Re: For those of you who have cats ... (SORRY...LONG Reply)

Thanks ladies ... you girls are a wealth of information!
Suzanne, my MIL has her own cat and believe me, no one wants our cat.
I think I made 'Mookie' sound more horrible than she is ... we have a total 'love hate' relationship. Somedays, I totally think she is adorable, others, I could just kick her out the door. Mostly because she is mean, and she knows that I am afraid of her. To funny - actually in our house.
For now, it works - but in a few years when we decide to have a little one, I will do my research and decide what would be best. My DH knows that too! I agree with Claudine, I would never jeopardize the safety of our child for any pet!!!! You hear some good and then some not so good stories and I always think of the 'worst case scenario'.
Thanks again!