Cats

[Marionette]

Well, thought I'd see what you ladies think. I've finally moved into the studio type room above my mom's garage. It has a little kitchen area and a single bathroom with a shower. Everything except the bathroom is all in one big room. It's really nice but I do have an indoor cat. I'm still not sure how having a baby and a cat in the same room is going to work out. The crib is right next to my bed but the kitty has been using it as a stepping stone to get to the window above it. I've seen those mesh tent things you can get to put over the top of the crib and will prolly have to get one. My cat is pretty layed-back and I don't think he would hurt my tadpole but I'd rather safe than sorry.
There is a balcony that runs across the front of the building and since it's on the second floor, I don't think he would make a run for it if I kept him out there but considering he is himself, I wouldn't put it past him. (That and it's going to be winter for the most part brrr)
Any input on cats around babies would be appreciated~

 

[jessesgirl]

Cats aren't dangerous around pregnant women. That they suck the breath from a baby is an old wives tale. He might be a little jealous of the little one lol but cats are jealous of EVERYTHING! I would get a spray bottle and just squirt him anytime he gets on or near the crib. I was the manager of an animal shelter before I got married and that is how I disciplined my cats at the shelter. That also worked with my cat at home; they hate being squirted with water!!! Plus it is a really good form of discipline without spanking AND its not something they will EVER get used to or like! Enjoy having your kitty and your baby at the same time, baby will have a blast with him when s/he gets older! Cats are for the most part pretty patient around kids once you set their boundaries. If you have no intentions of him EVER being an outside kitty again, you might consider getting him declawed, too, just for safety's sake. If he is declawed, he can bat at baby all he wants and it wont hurt him/her. Plus it really is, in spite of what people may say, humane. If you want to keep him, don't put him out in the balcony without a carrier or a cage because he WILL run, it is just what kitty cats do! Feel free to PM me if you have any more questions I can answer, otherwise there's my two cents!

 

[PegasusOnFire]

if you get worried about kitty with baby you can also get a large dog wire kennel and have kitty in there at night. This is comeing from a certified vet assistant.

 

[Marionette]

Thankies, ladies~
I had thought about the kennel. I might have to do that And I used to have a spray bottle when kitty was younger to keep him from playing with electrical wires and that seemed to work until I broke it I'll snag me another one next time I'm at Wallyworld~

 

[faithingrace]

I had a kitty when my first was born. Our biggest challenge with him was that he was soooo noisy, especially when babe was finally sleeping. I was overwhelmed and the cat wasn't helping! But he was nice to the baby.

 

[felinity]

I've done a lot of foster work with cats, and it's so sad to see a cat who was formerly a cherished member of the family tossed out because a baby was coming or had just arrived. Other ladies have given great advice in this thread. Use a spray bottle to keep him away from the crib, but give it some time to work out. Adding a baby to the house will give your cat a lot to adjust to, as well! Give him some time to get used to it.

 

[Marionette]

I've heard of people getting rid of their cats when a new baby comes along. A friend of mine even did, much to my shock since I knew they were so close. I've always been a cat person and getting rid of Tobi just wouldn't be an option. He's family, after all!
Thanks again for all the advice, M'dears~