Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Getting Started

How to introduce a cat to your baby the right way

Mary Johnson
By

Bringing home a new baby is one of the most joyful occasions in your life, but if you don’t take the time to prepare your cat for the new arrival, it could lead to potentially worrisome health and behavioral problems for your feline friend. Cats and babies can get along beautifully if you take the proper precautions. For example, your cat should never be allowed to sleep in the same bedroom with your baby or young child, as she may sleep near your baby’s face and obstruct their breathing. Here is the best way to go about introducing your cat to your baby, so you can create a welcoming environment for every member of the family.

A baby pets a brown tabby cat.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Before the baby arrives

While cats don’t understand human pregnancy, your fur baby can smell the hormonal changes, and as your baby grows, she may even be able to detect their heartbeat. One thing your cat is sure to notice is the change in your routine. Here are a few tips to help her adjust.

Recommended Videos

Setting up the nursery

As you prepare the nursery for your baby, make sure to give your cat time to adjust to these changes, especially if your cat is used to spending time in the soon-to-be nursery. Allow your cat to investigate new household items such as cribs, changing tables, and baby toys. However, don’t let your cat get comfortable sleeping on those surfaces. Try coating them with double-sided sticky tape to prevent your fur baby from turning your human baby’s crib into her new favorite place to sleep. 

Take proper health precautions

If your cat is an indoor-outdoor cat, now is the perfect opportunity to transition her to being indoors full time. Outdoor cats are more likely to contract a parasitic infection called toxoplasmosis. Pregnant women who become infected may suffer a miscarriage, birth defects, or stillbirth. For this reason, you should also wear a mask and gloves when changing the litter box, and you should always wash your hands thoroughly after petting your cat while pregnant. 

A toddler plays with a gray cat outside in a yard.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Introduce baby items

Have a lotion you intend to use on your baby? Start wearing it a few months before the baby’s arrival to help your cat adjust to the new scent. We also recommend playing audio of a baby crying. That way, the sound of your baby’s cry won’t be completely foreign to your cat, so she’ll be less stressed out when she hears wailing in the home. Let the baby swing run for a few minutes every day to give your cat time to adapt to the noise and movement. (This will also give you time to train her not to swat at your baby’s items, so it’s less likely she’ll scratch your baby.) If you already have an outfit or a receiving blanket you intend to bring Baby home in, let your cat sniff the fabric. This introduces your cat’s scent to the item, which means your baby will come home already smelling familiar to your feline child. 

After baby comes home from the hospital 

You’ll probably be excited to introduce your furry child to your newborn child when you arrive home, but don’t rush into things. Make sure your cat receives a few minutes of your undivided attention before allowing a spouse or partner, friends, relatives, and your baby into the space. Allow your cat to sniff the baby, taking care to pet your cat, and praise her for being a good kitty. If your cat runs and hides, let her have some time to herself instead of chasing her. However, if your cat hisses, firmly tell her “no” and remove her from the space. Hissing, flattening her ears, or growling doesn’t mean your cat hates your baby. She’s most likely frightened, and she’ll need some time to adjust. Don’t hesitate to reach out to your veterinarian if your cat begins urinating outside her box, hissing, or hiding. Even if everything goes perfectly from the first meeting, you’ll want to take certain precautions. Never leave your cat alone with your baby, keep her out of your baby’s nursery, and don’t be afraid to seek professional help if you need support during the adjustment period. 

A father plays with a young child in a kitchen with a cat and the mother look on.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Contrary to popular belief, having a new baby doesn’t mean you have to rehome your family cat. With patience and persistence — and by following the proper precautions — you can help your cat and baby learn to coexist peacefully. After your cat has had time to adjust to the newest member of the household, they may even become the best of friends.  

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Mary Johnson
Mary Johnson
Contributor
Mary Johnson is a writer and photographer from New Orleans, Louisiana. Her work has been published in PawTracks and…
These are the 8 most loyal large dog breeds that make loving companions
Big breeds that will never leave your side
Akita with brown fur standing outside

There are so many reasons why dogs are known for being man’s best friend. Our pups love us unconditionally -- even when we aren't being our best selves. No matter what's going on, your four-legged friend will be happy to see you. Bad day at the office? Does your boss think your work performance is lackluster? Your dog respectfully disagrees. They’ll wag their tail when they see you walk through the door and shower you with kisses. They’re loyal and loving until the end.
One of the best things about dogs is that they're just as diverse as people are. Small, large, energetic, lazy... there's a dog for anyone out there. Some people fall head over heels for larger dogs, like Labrador retrievers, because they make for great swimming, hiking, and running partners. Large breeds are also often great snuggle buddies — even if they feel like a ton of bricks in our laps and take up the entire bed. What’s more, some of the most loyal dog breeds are large ones.
If you're leaning toward adding a big dog to your home, consider these eight breeds when searching for a true-blue forever friend.

What are the most loyal large dog breeds?
Dogs tend to be loyal by nature. Some pets take it up a notch, though, including these large dog breeds:

Read more
Do puppies sleep a lot? These are the perfectly normal sleeping habits of a healthy pup
Puppies sleep a lot, but here's when it's normal and when to be concerned
Puppy sleeping on lap of human with mustard yellow sweater

Generally, puppies require abundant sleep — some will snooze up to 20 hours per day. Every pup is different, though and as they get older, the number of sleep hours decreases. By about 16 weeks of age, most dog breeds will be able to sleep through the night.

Sleep is an essential element of human and canine development. As anyone who has had a new puppy can tell you, it can be tough at first to get them into a good sleeping routine. Still, you'll want to make sure you and your new dog are rested and fit for all that life has to offer you. Here is everything you need to know about when your new puppy should be sleeping through the night and the answer to the question, "Do puppies sleep a lot?"

Read more
Best guard dogs: These 7 breeds will protect you with their life
These dog breeds are some of the best personal guards you'll find
An Akita sitting on the bed

Most dogs are loyal and loving animals. That’s why we know them as humans’ best friends. They’d do anything for us. For some dogs, “anything” means protecting us with their lives. And these breeds make the best guard dogs. For many of them, it’s instinctual. They’ve evolved to protect the family they love. You’ll notice these pups keeping a watchful eye on your property. They may bark to alert you when your company arrives or the mail gets delivered.
Remember, guard animals mean well. They aren’t trying to be vicious, but instead, they want to keep you and your home safe and sound. Some prospective pet parents want this quality in a dog. If that’s you, consider these breeds that make the best guard dogs.

What is the easiest guard dog to train?
There's a whole group of beasties that are often referred to as the guardian breeds — many of them make this list. Those animals with a predisposition toward defending and alerting will likely also learn their duties quickly. However, you'll also need a pup who has been properly socialized. Remember, you only want your guard to go into protection mode when there's a serious threat, not every time the mailman stops by.

Read more