Cats and Babies: Are Cats Good with Babies?

There are lots of stories about cats not liking babies. Babies are unpredictable and loud and they bring a lot of change to the household, but it’s a common misconception that cats just don’t like them. It all depends on how you introduce them, but moggies can behave very lovingly to babies and even become protective of them if their friendship is nurtured and allowed to blossom gradually.

You might not have noticed before just how ‘pointy’ and sharp your feline companion is until you bring a very small and very fragile baby home. Being a little worried is perfectly normal which is all the more reason to have an introduction plan in place to keep everyone safe and happy.

Babies are hard work for the whole family, of course, the hard work is absolutely worth it, but it can be a stressful time for your cats even though they’re not exactly getting up in the middle of the night for nappy changes!

Cats are sensitive to noise and a crying baby means they will still lose out on sleep as well. They need some baby-free space, even a room of their own that the baby never goes into, so their smells are all the same and something remains unchanged. A room they can go to when they’re overwhelmed means they can manage their own anxiety and take themselves off when they need it.

It’s important to keep some things the same for your kitty when you have a baby. Their routine should remain as close to what it used to be as possible. While there will be lots of new smells and sounds, having the same breakfast and dinner time, and little things like that, will really help settle their worries.

While you’re busy preparing yourself for your new arrival, there are things you can do for your moggy to make the transition easier too. Setting up some of the baby’s new furniture a little earlier than you planned will help to gradually introduce the change instead of spending one weekend completely changing their environment. It just means your cat won’t be as spooked by bringing a new born baby home when everything else is a little more familiar.

You can also prepare your pets for the noises they’re about to hear by desensitising them to a baby’s cry. By playing the sound of a baby crying for several weeks before they’re due, you can get your four-legged friends ready for your new arrival. By gradually increasing the volume over time, you can make sure your moggy is so comfortable with the sound of a baby crying, they can just sleep through those upsets like nothing is happening!

Another way to make sure your cats and new baby get along seamlessly is by having lots of fun, interactive and stress relieving toys around the house. There may be times when your pets get a little stressed at the noise, smells of reduced attention so giving them an outlet and some distraction will help reduce frustration. Interactive feeders are a great way to distract your moggy from worrying about your new born baby by getting them to think about their stomachs instead!

Introducing a cat and a new born baby doesn’t have to be stressful. With gradual steps, you can have them living in harmony in no time. Scent swapping is a great way to get your four-legged companions used to the smells of your new addition in their own time. They can live in a baby free zone while slowly getting used to them with blankets and clothes that smell like their future friend.

Knowing what they smell like will then make interactions a lot less stressful. Luckily, babies aren’t very mobile so allowing your cat to explore rooms you’re in with your new born is easy before they’re old enough to even acknowledge their new friend.

When you bring your baby home just be sure to put time aside for your furry family too. Playtime, grooming and lots of cuddles should still be a part of their day. Of course, you will have less time with them, babies are demanding but be sure the time you have to spend with them is spent well!

Giving your moggy outlets to destress and hide away when they need to is vital for making sure they don’t become frustrated or aggressive towards your new baby. If everything changes when the baby comes home and your cat hardly ever sees you because this new crying person gets all of the attention, they can become frustrated. If they can’t remove themselves from rooms with crying babies in, it can be difficult for their mental health.

Having areas to get away and relax is important. Giving them things like cat scratchers is a great way to help them get out some of that energy. Models like the Rufus & Rosie Westwood Cat Scratcher Post are great for releasing frustration but they also have nice high rest areas where your kitty can escape to and sleep without the risk of being grabbed at, especially when the baby gets a little older and more inquisitive. 

While babies and cats can develop into very cute, loving friendships, it’s vital they aren’t left to their own devices early on. When babies are very young, they have no awareness of what is dangerous and grabbing a cat’s soft fur could be tempting and get them a nasty scratch. As they get older, toddlers may not know how to measure how gentle they are with their feline friends and your cat can’t possibly understand how easily a wobbly child can fall over them.

By supervising them you can be sure that all interactions are positive and that they grow up to be the best of buddies. Make sure you have everything you need for your new arrival and shop our wide range of cat products for your fur baby to let them know they’re still loved.