Yes, You Can Have a Baby and Still Keep Kitty

Cats and Babies Can Live Together in Harmony

By Linda M. McCloud, published Apr 18, 2006
Published Content: 533  Total Views: 1,219,481  Favorited By: 131 CPs
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Yes, you can have a human baby and still keep your furry baby, even if that furry baby is a kitty. Long time myths used to scare expectant mothers and cause them to give up their furry friends. But we have come a long way from believing every wives tales.

I remember grandma telling me that I can't have a baby and a cat. She said kitty could suck the air out of baby's lungs. This is simply something that has never been documented as happening. I suppose it could happen. For this reason and many other reasons, when buying baby's crib, buy a crib tent for it. It is a cover that resembles a tent. Air can get into baby, but kitty can not get into crib. You don't want kitty laying with baby anyway. Baby could get scratch and kitty could get his/her tail pulled. That just wouldn't work on other levels, too.

Next there is the disease Toxoplasmosis. When people first starting hearing about this, poor kitties were totally to blame. This is not the case, though. Actually, Toxoplasmosis is a rare disease. Yes, it can be serious. But kitty can not be totally blamed. This is a disease caused by parasites. Parasites are usually found in uncooked meat. But yes it can also be found in soil and cat feces. For this reason, expectant mothers should take precautions. Never eat uncooked meat. Secondly, wear gloves when gardening and try not to change the kitty litter. Give daddy that job. If you must do it, wear gloves. Just don't throw out the kitty.

Now forget the wives tales and focus on things you can do now to help kitty and baby get along well. Is kitty used to babies and children? If not, you need to prepare kitty. If you have any friends with babies invite them over so kitty can see what a baby is. Also see if your friend could make a tape of baby crying for you. Play it off and on, so kitty can get used this strange sound.

Takeaways
  • You can buy covers for your cribs to keep kitty out of it.
  • Toxoplasmosis is caused by parasites. Just wear gloves when you clean kitty litter box.
  • Try keeping the same routines with kitty when you bring baby home from the hospital.
Did You Know?
There has never been a documented case where a cat had suck the air out of a baby's lungs. This is just a wives tale.
Comments
Showing Comments 1 - 3 of 3
 
 
We've had cats and babies together before and everything worked out fine. The odds of the cat smothering the baby are pretty low-Mom was saying that cats don't usually lay close to the baby even if they do get in the crib, because it's too warm. If you're very concerned, you can try shutting the baby's door while he/she is napping and consider putting tinfoil in the crib, similar to the way you'd use bumper pads. Cats don't like the shiny reflection and should jump out if they get into the crib.

Posted on 01/22/2008 at 9:01:03 PM

 
Yes, they can. I can't think of a more perfect home than one that has a sweet baby and a lovable kitty in it.

Posted on 09/06/2006 at 3:09:00 PM

 
hey

Posted on 04/24/2006 at 1:04:00 PM

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