CATS IN THE CRADLE
Congratulations! You're pregnant! Or
perhaps you've just received your bundle of joy. What do you do about the cat?
There are more myths surrounding cats and babies than any other domestic
animal/human relationship. Did you hear the one about how cats steal baby's breath? (They don't.)
You may have been told to get rid of the
family cat because they carry so many contagious diseases. Cats are not the
"Typhoid Marys" of infectious diseases that you have been led to
believe. It is far more likely that your new baby will catch its first cold
from your best friend than it will contract an illness from your cat.
"I would never give up my
cat!" you say. 'But shouldn't I declaw the
cat as soon as possible?" NO! Nothing could be further from the truth. Declawing
is actually amputation of the last third of the cat's toes; it does not make
your pet safer around children. In fact, it may turn the cat into a stress
biter or inappropriate urinator!
But what can you do to insure the safety
and happiness of everyone in your home? Here are some precautions you
can take, both before the baby is born and after the baby has arrived, and they
are all simple to do.
BEFORE
THE BABY IS BORN
The one disease you do need to be aware
of and take precautions against is toxoplasmosis. It is actually a fairly
common disease and many people have immunity. The organism which causes toxoplasmosis
is sometimes found in cat feces, but it is also common in raw meats, as well as
gardening soil. If you are not already immune, the precautions to take are
simple. If you are pregnant, it is important to take them because if you get
this disease during your first trimester, it can produce cysts in the brain of
the fetus which can lead to
mental retardation, developmental
abnormalities or miscarriage.
WHAT
TO DO ABOUT TOXOPLASMOSIS
The mother‑to‑be
should be tested for toxoplasmosis. If the titer is
negative take the following steps:
1) Have all of your cats tested for toxoplas-mosis.
2) If your cats are indoor/outdoor cats,
create an outdoor enclosure for them rather than letting them run free. Since
most cats become carriers of toxoplasmosis by killing and eating
live prey (mice, etc.) their risk of exposure is greatly reduced. In
addition, your cat will have a longer, healthier life.
3) Mothers‑to‑be,
have someone else change the kitty litter. If this is not possible, wear rubber
gloves when cleaning the box. Be sure to discard all of the litter once a day.
For this reason, you only need to use about an inch of litter in the box at a
time.
4) Wear rubber gloves and protective
clothing when gardening. It is now believed that gardening is the primary
source of exposure for most people.
The most common disease that cats can
transmit to humans is not really a disease at all; it's a fungus commonly
called ringworm. It is most frequently seen in stray, feral and outdoor cats
and appears to be more common in tropical and temperate climates. Always
consult your veterinarian if you notice any abnormalities in skin or coat,
whether you are expecting a child or not.
WHO IS YOUR CAT?
Is your cat neutered or spayed?
Have your cat neutered or spayed, if you
have not done so already. Altered animals make better family pets. Children do
not need to witness "the miracle of birth" at the animal's expense.
Not only will your animal live a longer, healthier life, but you will be
helping to stop the pet overpopulation problem. Unneutered males,
sensing a female in heat, will often go to extremes to escape, including
jumping out (sometimes through) windows in a desperate effort to find the
female and acting aggressively to anyone that gets in their way. They often
spray a foul‑smelling urine to mark their territory. Some will even
masturbate and exhibit mounting behaviors on pillows and children. Neutered
animals tend to be less territorial and less aggressive.
Unspayed females may
exhibit a high level of sexual frustration‑‑crying,
yowling and pacing. In many cases their heat periods can last for several
weeks, causing unwelcome intact males to gather, howl and fight under your
windows nightly.
Does
your cat chase fingers and toes?
Are you ambushed from under the bed? If
so, you have a cat with a high prey drive. You may think it is fun when your
cat chases your toes under the sheets, but remember, a baby's skin is very
fragile and more easily harmed than your own. A pounce that might amuse you
would send your new one into hysterics.
It must be taught that people are not
toys. This is easier than you might think. Purchase or make several interactive
toys. My favorites are catnip mice tied to the end of a strong thick string,
feather wands, or one of the commercially available toys that dangle from a rod
or pole. Engage the cat in a rousing game of "pounce the mouse" up to
30 minutes before feeding. If your cat goes for your fingers or toes, the game is OVER! Get up and walk away. If your cat is very
persistent, hiss loudly (think "cat") before you leave. Wait a few
minutes, then resume the game. Remember, never, ever hit or swat at your cat ‑
not with your hands, not with a newspaper, not with anything! It will destroy
your relationship with the cat and it could lead to a serious aggression
problem.
Does
your cat stick to you like glue?
Does your cat jump into your lap every
time you sit down? Do you have a non‑stop purring machine following you
everywhere? Start a little separation management or when your baby arrives,
your cat might experience anxiety behavior (often interpreted as jealousy).
Place the cat beside you while you pet it, not in your lap, and give Kitty a
treat. Repeat the procedure. Pet and pay attention to the cat only when the cat
is beside you, not on top of you. After all, your lap will soon be holding a
baby!
IS YOUR HOME
PREPARED FOR THE BABY ... AND THE CAT?
Does your cat run and hide every time a
visitor comes over? Cats are very sensitive to their environment. Some cats
stress easier than others. To minimize the stress the cat may feel, it is best
to prepare the home in advance of the new arrival. The earlier, the better.
When you set up the nursery, let the cat
explore and investigate the new furniture and equipment. At the same time train
the cat to avoid the surfaces to be used by the baby. It's actually very simple
‑
make the environment correct the cat.
1) Double‑stick tape or contact
paper (sticky side up) makes an excellent deterrent. Place it on the surfaces
you want the cat to avoid such as the bassinet and crib mattress, the top of
the changing table, the playpen, and the carriage.
2) Other deterrents that work well are
balloons blown up tightly, and placed under tight‑fitting sheets in
cribs, bassinets or carriages. The loud pop startles the cat and
the sheet protects him from being hurt.
3) One of the most successful set‑ups
involves strips of 6" wide cardboard and pennies or pebbles inside empty
soda cans. If you don't want the cat to jump up on the changing table, for
example, build a false ledge extending 2‑3 inches over the side with the
cardboard near the inside edge. When the cat tries to jump up, SURPRISE! They
will hit the false cardboard ledge; and the noisy, but harmless, cans tumble to
the ground.
If you have a nursery with a solid door
that can be closed, it is advisable to have a baby monitor installed so you can
keep the cat out of the room when necessary while still keeping tabs on your
infant. Some people prefer to install screen doors, so that they can still hear
the baby without a monitor. For people without a separate room for a nursery or
who don't have a door to close, tight‑fitting mosquito netting can be used over the bassinet or crib.
Cats have an excellent sense of smell.
By using baby powder and lotion on yourself prior to the baby's arrival, your
cat can get used to the scent.
Get into the habit of feeding the cat
two to three meals a day and clearing away what the cat hasn't eaten after 20‑30
minutes. Leaving food bowls down attracts crawling babies and toddlers as well
as insects.
As
you can see, it is best to do most of these set‑ups before the baby
arrives. Done with consistency, they are
extremely effective without harming your relationship with your cat.
AFTER
THE BABY ARRIVES
When bringing the baby home from the
hospital, have the family member that the cat is least attached to carry the
baby into the house. It may be the new mother, it may not; that is fine. Greet
the cat alone‑‑without the baby‑‑at
first. Talk to the cat. Let him smell the receiving blanket so he can become
familiar with the scent of the newcomer. However, do not force this on the cat;
some cats just aren't interested in hellos!
If you are having a home birth, please
do not let the cat in the room. The noises and vocalizations
involved in labor may unnerve the cat to the point of aggression. Neither of
you need the added stress. Proceed with the introduction described above after
all is calm.
Not all cats love babies. Do not be
surprised if Kitty goes into hiding after the baby arrives. Some cats simply
ignore the baby. In both cases, allow the cat time to realize that everything's
all right. Do not try to pull your cat out of hiding or force a relationship
that the cat ‑ or the baby ‑ isn't ready
for. No matter what your cat's reaction is, however, find time every day to
spend with the cat alone. It may be as little as five minutes of quiet talk or
a grooming session.
Keep the baby's food and medicine in
separate places from the cat's. Bottles and packaging can look remarkably
similar. I know of one woman who baby powdered her cat to get rid of fleas.
Luckily, she didn't flea powder her baby!
Keep your cat fully up‑to‑date on all shots and medical examinations. "Deworming" and "de‑fleaing" should go without saying, but sometimes in all the excitement, these dates can get missed. Make sure you use a flea product that is safe for infants. And get rid of that flea collar! It is a toxic ring of insecticides which toddlers may try to gnaw on. Besides, they are of little use for flea control.
Be vigilant about keeping the litterbox
clean and accessible to the cat. Install a cat door or baby gate in the room
where the litterbox is kept. This allows easy access for
the cat while assuring that Baby's first sand castle will be at the beach and
not in the cat box. Make sure there are various places in each room that the cat,is allowed to jump up on or crawl under. To you, it
may be a window‑sill, the top of the refrigerator, the back of a closet,
or a carpet covered shelf ‑ to your cat, it's a sanctuary.
Your cat will need places and time away from all the excitement ‑
just like you will.
Cats and kids can be a magical
combination. Growing up with animals can give our children some of the most
positive lessons life has to offer ‑ from self‑respect and
self‑control to sharing, caring and love. With careful planning, training
and awareness, magic can happen.
By:
Elizabeth Teal
Companion
Animal Services
Tulsa
Animal Shelter
918-669-6299
Reprinted
with permission from the ASPCA.