Although we know that cats and babies can co-exist harmoniously in the same family, there are still precautions that new or expecting parents can take to help safeguard both baby and feline.

Preparing for Your Baby’s Arrival

Keep your cats indoors, and do not befriend neighborhood cats while pregnant! The feline parasitic infection toxoplasmosis can be caused by a cat eating small mammals or birds. This parasite in a pregnant woman can result in miscarriage, stillbirth or such birth defects as blindness, deafness, hydrocephalus or epilepsy.

Toxoplasmosis cysts are shed in the feces of infected animals. Since cats often use gardens as litter boxes, always wear gloves when gardening. Also wear gloves when washing raw vegetables and fruits, handling raw meat or scrubbing food prep surfaces, and avoid rubbing your eyes until your hands have been washed. It’s also best not to eat or feed your cat raw or undercooked meat. To prevent any cysts that are passed in the feces from becoming infectious, scoop fecal matter at least twice a day.

The feline parasitic infection toxoplasmosis can be caused by a cat eating small mammals or birds. This parasite in a pregnant woman can result in miscarriage, stillbirth or such birth defects as blindness, deafness, hydrocephalus or epilepsy. Toxoplasmosis cysts are shed in the feces of infected animals. Since cats often use gardens as litter boxes, always wear gloves when gardening. Also wear gloves when washing raw vegetables and fruits, handling raw meat or scrubbing food prep surfaces, and avoid rubbing your eyes until your hands have been washed. It’s also best not to eat or feed your cat raw or undercooked meat. To prevent any cysts that are passed in the feces from becoming infectious, scoop fecal matter at least twice a day. Some cats do not tolerate change well. These are the cats most likely to be affected by a new baby, so use the entire pregnancy to slowly prepare them. Play tapes of baby noises to acclimate your cat to the new sounds she's about to hear, or rub baby lotion on your hands before engaging in a pleasant activity with your cat to create positive associations with baby odors. Set up nursery furniture as soon as possible, and allow your cat several weeks to investigate before you select surfaces to declare off limits—such as the changing table and crib. Then, at least one month before the baby arrives, make the surfaces unwelcoming. Cut sheets of cardboard to the size of the furniture surfaces and cover one side with double-sided adhesive/masking tape. Cats tend to avoid sticky surfaces, and by the end of the month should learn to steer clear of these sites.

Play tapes of baby noises to acclimate your cat to the new sounds she's about to hear, or rub baby lotion on your hands before engaging in a pleasant activity with your cat to create positive associations with baby odors. Set up nursery furniture as soon as possible, and allow your cat several weeks to investigate before you select surfaces to declare off limits—such as the changing table and crib. Then, at least one month before the baby arrives, make the surfaces unwelcoming. Cut sheets of cardboard to the size of the furniture surfaces and cover one side with double-sided adhesive/masking tape. Cats tend to avoid sticky surfaces, and by the end of the month should learn to steer clear of these sites. If the litter box has been kept in the soon-to-be nursery, begin several months ahead of time to move it a few inches a day to its new location. If the transition is made too quickly, your cat may return to soil in his old spot. Covering that area with a solid object like a diaper pail or dresser may deter him.

If the transition is made too quickly, your cat may return to soil in his old spot. Covering that area with a solid object like a diaper pail or dresser may deter him. Finally, any cat care routines that will be shifted from a parent after the baby arrives should actually be switched one to two months before the birth. These might include feedings, grooming, play sessions and sleep locations. The cat may need time to adjust to the style and skills of the new caregiver.

After Your Baby is Home