Cats and Babies
Cats love attention, so it is no surprise that the arrival of a newborn will turn even the most adorable kitty to an aggressive monster as it becomes neglected. Below are ideas on how to reduce the stress on the cat as much as possible.
If a once lovable and sweet cat suddenly becomes monstrously aggressive; scratching, hissing and spitting on everyone who comes to the house, do not despair, for even such a cat has a remedy. According to experts, cats have a possessive nature and are bound to get jealous when someone steals the show, diverting the attention or affection it is used to receiving. The arrival of a newborn baby to the family does exactly this and is bound to change the cats’ temperament.
Pam Johnson-Bennett, a licensed consultant on animal behavior issues from Nashville, Tennessee, an already anxious cat is easily aggressive and ready to attack when pushed by sudden changes. Cat behavior can sometimes be explained by the circumstances around them. The methods used to put the cat at ease, despite the appearance of a new element, will be more efficient on your cat if you gradually and continuously train the cat on them.
Johnson-Bennett suggests that you start preparing your cat from an early stage for the arrival of the baby by doing things like painting the baby’s room walls, buying new furniture and preparing the baby’s room. This makes the curious cat expectant and interested and instead of being depressed when the baby arrives, he will be just as excited as everyone else. New born babies are the biggest threat to the joy of the cat. Johnson-Bennett also recommends that cat owners who are expecting a baby should play baby videos with baby sounds so the cat becomes accustomed to the sounds even before the baby comes so they do not get traumatized or scared when the baby arrives and starts making the sounds.
Cats can be stressed and become aggressive for reasons other than their dislike for changes. The cat can become aggressive and upset if the baby is crying loudly and the cat has nowhere to hide or go to escape the sound.
Cats are very territorial and in retaliation, can attack anyone who trespasses. When there is a baby in the house, place the cats’ food bowl and litter box out of the baby’s reach to ensure the cat has no reason to attack the baby for trespassing. A cat may retaliate to the baby upsetting his food bowl by urinating out of his litter box. Other experts like Alana Stevenson from Boston advices cat owners to create time to play with their pets even when there is a new baby, for at least 5-10 minutes each day to prevent those passive-aggressive manifestations of the cat of his frustration. This makes the cat not to feel neglected. You can even sweeten the deal by ending each play session with a delicious threat.
Interacting with new family members becomes less stressful and more pleasant. Each time we introduce the cat to a new element of the newborn, whether sight or smell or other sensorial dimensions, it will be easier for the cat to accept them with treats. In spite your protective instincts, do not yell at your cat nor forbid him to go around the baby’s bed or enter the baby’s room as this will create negative associations in his mind. On the contrary, the concept of novelty will reduce and eventually leave the cats mind if you let him inspect the baby’s equipment and all the new toys.