Introduction
It’s an exciting but anxious time when you bring home a new baby – especially if you already have a furry feline friend at home. On one hand, you can’t wait for your cat to meet the new arrival. But on the other, you worry about potential risks and how your cat may react.
Cats and babies have coexisted for ages, but proper precautions are necessary to keep both safe and happy. Many myths persist about dangers cats pose to newborns. However, with some preparation, education, and monitoring, the two can live in harmony.
In this article, we’ll explore the real risks of having cats around newborns and provide tips to mitigate them. You’ll learn best practices for introducing your cat to the baby and optimizing their interactions. We’ll also bust some common myths and highlight potential benefits for both from their budding friendship.
Risks of Toxoplasmosis
Toxoplasmosis is an infection caused by the Toxoplasma gondii parasite. Cats can become infected by eating infected animals and can then shed the parasite in their feces for several weeks. The parasite can survive for over a year in soil contaminated with infected cat feces.
Pregnant women who become infected with toxoplasmosis for the first time during or just before pregnancy can pass the infection on to their developing baby. Congenital toxoplasmosis occurs when the parasite crosses the placenta and causes infection in the fetus. According to the Healthy Children organization, about 400-4000 babies are born each year in the United States with congenital toxoplasmosis.
The effects on the baby depend on when during pregnancy the transmission occurs. Early infection can cause severe brain and eye damage, while later infection may have minimal effects. Symptoms in newborns can include brain and nervous system problems, seizures, developmental delays, vision loss, and hearing loss. Some babies show no signs or symptoms at birth but develop problems later in life.
Precautions for Pregnant Women
Pregnant women need to take some basic precautions to avoid toxoplasmosis when living with cats according to the CDC (https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/toxoplasmosis/gen_info/pregnant.html). The key is to avoid ingesting anything that may contain cat feces and parasites.
First and foremost, pregnant women should avoid changing cat litter boxes if possible. The CDC recommends having someone else perform this task, like a partner or family member. If no one else can change the litter box, then wear gloves and wash hands thoroughly afterwards.
Secondly, pregnant women should wash their hands after any contact with cats, their litter boxes, or environments cats frequent. Thorough hand washing with soap and warm water can prevent the ingestion of parasites. According to the Human Society (https://www.humanesociety.org/resources/pregnancy-and-toxoplasmosis), general cleanliness is important.
Finally, pregnant women can have their cats tested for toxoplasmosis by a veterinarian. Indoor cats that test negative are unlikely to transmit the parasite. This provides peace of mind about toxoplasmosis risks from household cats.
Reducing Risks After Birth
Once the baby arrives home, it’s important to take precautions to keep them safe around cats. According to the ASPCA, it’s critical to keep cats away from the baby’s sleeping area. Cats should not have access to a baby’s crib, bassinet, playpen, or other sleeping space. Allowing cats near where the baby sleeps increases the risk of suffocation or SIDS. The ASPCA recommends keeping the door to the baby’s room closed at all times.
It’s also essential to never leave a cat alone and unsupervised with a baby, even for a moment. Very young infants are vulnerable and cannot defend themselves or push a cat away. WebMD suggests keeping cats in a separate room if it’s necessary to step away while the baby is on the floor or in a bouncy seat. With supervision, some gentle interaction can occur, but always stay vigilant.
According to Healthline, placing mesh covers over infant carriers, car seats, and strollers prevents a cat from crawling inside. Take care not to leave the baby’s things around the house where a cat could climb in unnoticed. Maintaining close supervision and limiting access are key to reducing risks.
Safely Introducing Cats and Babies
Cats need time to adjust to major changes in their environment. Introducing a new baby should be a gradual process to help cats feel comfortable and avoid stress. Here are some tips for safely introducing your cat to a newborn baby:
Let cats inspect baby items like the crib, swing, and car seat before the baby arrives home. Allowing inspection helps cats get used to new sights and smells [1]. Rubbing blankets on mom’s belly can also spread the baby’s scent.
Bring home items with the baby’s scent before bringing the baby home. Cats can sniff something like a blanket to get familiar with the new smell [2].
Provide safe spaces where cats can retreat when overwhelmed. Set up areas with food, water, litter box, toys, scratcher, and bed so cats have comfort and security.
Monitoring Cat Behavior
It’s important to monitor your cat’s behavior around your newborn to watch for any signs of stress or aggression. Cats that are stressed by a new baby may exhibit behaviors like hiding, urinating outside the litter box, acting skittish, or overly grooming themselves [1]. Aggressive behaviors to look out for include swatting, hissing, growling, or stiffening up around the baby.
If you notice your cat displaying stressed or aggressive behaviors, try to redirect them positively. For example, if your cat hisses at the baby, firmly say “no” and then direct them to a more positive activity like playing with a toy. Give your cat treats when they display calm behavior around the baby so they associate the new arrival with positive things. It’s also important to give your cat their own safe space to retreat to when they need a break from the new bustle of activity.
With time, patience, and positive reinforcement, you can help your cat adjust to the new family member. But if aggressive or stressed behaviors persist, you may need to keep your cat separated from the baby for safety.
Keeping Areas Clean
It’s important to keep all areas of your home clean when you have a newborn and a cat. This helps reduce the spread of toxoplasmosis and other germs that may be harmful to your baby.
Be sure to scoop litter boxes frequently, at least once a day. Change the litter completely every 1-2 weeks to remove parasite eggs [1]. Wear gloves when cleaning litter boxes and wash your hands thoroughly afterwards.
Also focus on cleaning floors and surfaces regularly to remove germs. Use disinfectant wipes or cleaners labeled to kill germs on hard surfaces. Vacuum carpets and rugs often using a vacuum with a HEPA filter [2].
Try to keep your cat out of the nursery room so their germs don’t get transferred in. Use baby gates or keep doors closed.
With diligent cleaning routines, you can reduce the risks of toxoplasmosis and keep your home safe for your newborn.
[1] https://www.healthline.com/health/baby/cats-and-babies
[2] https://www.webmd.com/parenting/baby/cleaning-house-baby
When to Rehome a Cat
Rehoming a cat is a difficult decision no pet owner wants to make. However, in some cases with a new baby, it may become necessary. Aggression that can’t be managed through training, medication, or separation is one valid reason to rehome a cat. Kittens under 6 months old have developing immune systems and are highly susceptible to illnesses they could catch from an infected cat, like toxoplasmosis. If your cat is sick and contagious with an illness that could harm your newborn, rehoming may be the safest option for your family.
According to a Quora user who dealt with aggressive cat behavior, “Rehoming your cat may be something to consider, especially if the behavior continues to pose a risk to your child. It’s important to prioritize your baby’s safety.” Try working with a veterinary behaviorist first before making the difficult decision to rehome. In some cases, aggression can be curbed through training, pheromones, or medication. An animal expert can help determine if the behavior is manageable or if rehoming is truly the only safe option.
While heartbreaking, rehoming to another loving home may be better for both the cat and baby’s wellbeing. The decision shouldn’t be made lightly. Discuss options with your vet and partner first. Make sure the cat goes to a responsible owner fully informed of any medical or behavioral issues requiring continued treatment.
Benefits of Cats and Babies
Having a cat can provide some important benefits for babies and young children. Studies have shown that growing up with pets helps teach kids empathy, compassion, and gentleness. Cats can be ideal pets for this, as they require a gentle touch and care from children.
According to the American Humane Society, interacting with pets helps develop nurturing skills and self-esteem in children. Cats that are comfortable around kids will tolerate petting, holding, brushing, and more from little hands. With supervision, parents can teach children how to properly and gently touch an animal.
Cats can also provide comfort and friendship to children. The presence of an affectionate cat can help soothe anxious or upset kids, according to BabyGaga. The bond between a child and cat can give kids a sense of responsibility and purpose, as they help feed, play with, and care for their furry friend. This can be especially important for only children who want a living companion in the home.
Conclusion
In summary, having cats around newborns requires some precautions but can be done safely. Pregnant women should take steps to avoid toxoplasmosis infection from cats. Once the baby is born, risks can be reduced by keeping the litter box away from baby areas, washing hands after contact with cats, trimming claws, and supervising all interactions. Introducing cats to babies slowly and providing alternate spaces for the cats can help them adjust. Signs of aggression in cats warrant rehoming. Overall though, the benefits of having gentle, loving cats around babies often outweigh the risks with proper precautions.
Our family cat Snuggles adjusted well when we brought our newborn son home. We set up the nursery as a cat-free zone and made sure the litter box was far away. Snuggles was curious about the new smells and sounds at first. But after slow introductions and positive reinforcements with treats when she was gentle, Snuggles became very protective of our son. She often sleeps outside his crib keeping watch. It’s heartwarming to see them form a close bond through these early days together.