Any Cat Owners?

StephLouise35

Hi, just seeing how many people currently have cats and wondering..

1. If any of you asked for a blood examination of toxoplomasis (think that's how you spell it)

2. If you are worried about the cat around your baby, after birth.

PS: it's my first and I think I'm going a little bits with all the information..

thebigoaktree

I have two, they're both indoor and the liter boxes are in the basement, so I don't feel a need to test them. My DH has taken over changing their litter and we use for a better term the wood shavings kind so it smells like a wood shop in my basement. I'm not worried about them after birth except how much they like to snug, easiest fix for that worry is keeping the door shut to the babies room. Over-all though, I'm not really worried at all. 

FluffleSprout

This is my second kid, so I feel so different from the first time.

1. Nope
2. Nope

I remindedy H he's on litter box duty for 9 months. He groaned. I fist bumped the sky. That's about it.

We have three cats and they all took to DD pretty easily. We let them sniff around her and they were used to her as a newborn before she could torment them.

sboston06

I have one indoor cat. I am not at all worried about toxoplasmosis because he never goes outside and has practically zero risk of having the disease himself. Even so, I have DH cleaning the litter box and he does a terrible job at it.

I'm not worried about him being around the baby. He is a very nice cat and I think he'll be protective of the baby. My biggest concern will be making sure my house is a lot cleaner than it usually is, since baby will spend a lot of time on the floor.

When my husband was an infant, his parents had two cats who used to patrol the door to his nursery and would only let his mom in to see him. Whenever his dad came by, they would meow and hiss at him and prevent him from going into the nursery. 

StephLouise35

MORE INFO: I have 2 cats, both indoor/outdoor, and having recently heard about it from a friend (before I knew I was pregnant) it kinda freaked me out a little. I did asked for the blood test although my doc kind of gave me the "are you kidding me" look. on top of that DH made a "joke" about stories of cats smothering babies out of jealousy.

I think I may just be reading into things too much..

said8me

I've got one indoor cat (and one indoor toddler har har). Cat has never wanted anything to do with the kid, usually just scurries away when kid gets too close. *SOMETIMES* will let kid pet him, but that's something that took almost a year to warm up to.

Hubs takes care of the poops, and I hate having blood taken as it is so no testing for me.

blackgirlmagic

I have to cats. My old cat just like to sun bath on the deck when its nice out. But my younger cat likes to wonder away from the house. My husband is on liter duty, I want to see how long I have him do it after the baby is born. I am worried about my younger cat. When I had my twin nieces over she tired to attack them when they were crying. I already told my husband that we might have to try and find her a new home if she does that with our child. I love her but I cannot be worried about my child sleeping and if they cat is going to try and attack my baby. My older cat hides when there is someone new in the house and sleeps all day so I am not worried about him. 

DobbysSock

I have 2 indoor cats. I did not get any testing done on me or them either pregnancy, and don't plan to. DH manages the litter box (whether I'm pregnant or not - that's one of his "chores") and with them being indoor cats the risk is very small.

In terms of my cats around DD, one of them is kind of persnickety and fairly often bites for no reason, so I watch her closely with that one although that one steers clear of DD on her own. The other cat loves DD and has never bitten anyone, so I am a little more relaxed with her. I still watch closely but more because DD is still learning gentle touch and I don't want her to hurt her. When DD was a newborn baby, I didn't let them around her unsupervised but they really never even tried to go near her so it was fine.

For sleep, I still shut DD's door and don't let the cats sleep with her. I just shut her door. They like to sleep right up by my face so I want to wait until she's a little older and out of her crib before she sleeps with them, if she/they even want to.

Oh - I also have a "safe zone" for the cats. I put a baby gate in the hallway leading to the bedrooms and if the cats go over there, DD isn't allowed to follow them. That way they can escape if they've had enough of her attention

megstervt

I have an indoor cat.  I did a not-so-secret happy dance when I informed DH he was in charge of the litter box.

I'm planning on desensitizing my cat (and dog) to crying sounds by playing sounds of babies crying during my second and third trimester.  The only real "concern" I have is the cat getting into the crib to sleep.  She loves cozy soft spaces, so a crib is basically her dream.

blackgirlmagic

megstervt that is a very smart idea about desensitizing the cats from the crying sounds of a baby. I am going to have to steal this idea from you! 

lcking82

I have an aggressively affectionate cat (this cat wants to be in your lap ALL THE TIME) so I think he's going to be jealous.

I've already warned my mom that she might have to adopt her grand-kitty if he's miserable once baby is here.

StephLouise35

UPDATE: one of my cats I've had a little longer than the other and this older cat FREAKED out when we got our second cat, hissing went on for a good 4-5 days, so I'm more scared of her around the baby, the other one is just going to be sooo confused as to what the baby is. (She is really dopey)

Taymiller

2 indoor cats. Never tested them, DH just takes over scooping poop. (Best part of pregnancy!) I have never worried about them around my son. If my dog is awake she doesn't let them get too close to him. But seriously just close the nursery door if you are worried about anything.

anskip

FluffleSprout said:

This is my second kid, so I feel so different from the first time.

1. Nope
2. Nope

I remindedy H he's on litter box duty for 9 months. He groaned. I fist bumped the sky. That's about it.

We have three cats and they all took to DD pretty easily. We let them sniff around her and they were used to her as a newborn before she could torment them.

This! We have 2. I was very paranoid first go round, but as long as you stay out of the way and read up on introducing pets to baby it's no big deal. Mine were great with DD. Mostly a lot of sniffing and purring in the beginning. Now she chases them through the house and thinks it's funny when they hide from her . Hubs had the same groan!

princessconsuela1986

I have 2 cats. I still clean their litter. They are strictly indoor so really no chance for toxoplasmosis.
I am going to work on desensitizing them with baby sounds. I know my one cat will like be scared of LO the other is quite bold and I will have to watch her closely.

nhbaby07

I have a cat and a 2 year old. The 2 year old bothers the cat more than he bothers her. He can be protective over her and sleeps outside of her door at night, which is super cute. H is on and has been on litter box duty.

dolewhipper

I have two indoor only, but we rescued them. I'm not getting them tested, but when I told my OB I had rescued cats and that my DH travels for long periods of time, she added the test to the rest of my bloodwork. Figures if they're already taking 5 vials, might as well take one more. From what I understand, if I already had it, I can't get it again? (Please correct if I'm wrong.)
Honestly I would rather clean the boxes; that has been my "job" around the house and I'm pretty good at staying on top of it. DH hates it so much he goes too long between cleanings and our apt starts to get the litter box odor.

decoycandy

I am staying with my sister who has two cats. They are indoor but formally outdoor cats, I do not change the litter, and I'll be getting a blood test to hopefully put my mind at ease. Doctor didn't mind at all adding it to my requisition.

decoycandy

It's a virus, so once you've had it you always have it, baby is not affected if you got it prior to pregnancy. If you absolutely have to clean the litter, wear gloves and a mask, and do it daily, so I've read.

princessconsuela1986

dolewhipper said:

From what I understand, if I already had it, I can't get it again? (Please correct if I'm wrong)

This is correct. Same with your cats, the will only ever shed the parasite/virus (can't remembered off hand what it is) once.
I had myself tested when I started TTGP as I worked at a vet clinic and have had indoor outdoor cats all my life. It came out negative so I just use gloves when cleaning the box.

I'm pretty sure you are more likely to get it from under cooked meat.

acadia07

1. No.
2. No.

owens0410

I have an indoor cat and I'm not worried at all. I'm still cleaning the cat box too. I hold my breath, lol. 

holly142

I have a mostly indoor cat. I was also very excited to pass the job of cleaning the box to DH! I didn't get tested with DD. My cat isn't the nicest but has been great with DD! I do have 1 spot that he can jump up to get away from DD.

If anyone is nervous about the cat jumping into the crib, line the crib with foil before baby comes. Only takes 1 time of the cat jumping on the foil and it won't jump in there again! It worked for my friends

Christal161

1. No. I have a indoor cat and has never been outside (other for the occasional escapes that lasted 4 minutes). I heard, that if you have an indoor cat, the risk of toxoplasmosis are slim.

2. My cat was super independent, hyper, not declaw (still has her claws), the list goes on. When I had my son, she completely change to a gentle cat who loves my son (20 months). Don't get me wrong, there are days they get at each other and I think it'll be like that till my son learns how to properly play with her. The crib issue too. We never had it, she did it once and never did it again.

It's all a learning process. Every cat is different, especially to changes!

WVUPetunia

DH cleans the litter boxes for now, so I don't worry about toxoplasmosis.

We have 4 cats, and it has been fine with DS.  We didn't let them in his room as a baby or in our room to sleep when he was sleeping in there.  I used to cover his swing, bouncer, etc. with receiving blankets when he wasn't in them to keep the cat hair off if they decided to jump in, but they rarely had an interest in his things.  They are usually very tolerant of him (or ignore him completely/avoid him), though one has snapped at him a couple of times when he has pulled her tail or done something else to her.  We try to work with him on treating the cats properly.

Serpica

1. I have two indoor cats. My OB isn't worried about it. I'll get tested anyway, but I actually don't think it's really necessary. 

2. I am not worried about the cats, but they are a lot of work (one of them sheds a lot, the other one is noisy). So I may ask my mother in law to take care of them for a bit when the baby arrives, just to have a bit less things to think about. 

EasterEggs

We have one cat who spends some time in our enclosed backyard. 

I'm not getting tested for toxoplasmosis. The chances are very small and it doesn't worry me. My husband has been cleaning the litter box since we found out I was pregnant. 

I'm not worried about the cat's behaviour but I do want to keep the house as hair-free as possible. I plan on closing the nursery door so she can't get in there and shed everywhere. I already vacuum like crazy so I'll have to keep up with that. 

fleurdelakeview

I have three cats and I don't plan on asking for the test. I'm not worried about it, really. My husband has been on litter box duty since we started TTC so we just kept it that way.

As far as being concerned about my cats around the baby, I'm not worried. My oldest cat is a big sweetheart that just tolerates everything. He will probably just love on the baby. My middle one is skittish and doesn't like people (besides me) so he'll be terrified of the baby. Our little cat will probably be curious and he can be playful at times so we'll watch him but I'm not concerned. 

KyCat

holly142 said:

I have a mostly indoor cat. I was also very excited to pass the job of cleaning the box to DH! I didn't get tested with DD. My cat isn't the nicest but has been great with DD! I do have 1 spot that he can jump up to get away from DD. If anyone is nervous about the cat jumping into the crib, line the crib with foil before baby comes. Only takes 1 time of the cat jumping on the foil and it won't jump in there again! It worked for my friends

Another trick I heard to keep the cat from jumping in the crib is to set the crib up and not put the mattress in for a few days. The cat will only want to get caught in the slats/springs once. Although on second thought, the foil trick seems nicer to the kitty.

I also only have an indoor cat, and I'm making DH clean the litterbox mostly, but if he forgets I just wear disposable gloves and then wash my hands really well. I don't plan to ask for the blood test.

halesnwhales

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=9LnTjz3hItk

StephLouise35

@haleyburgess1 just saw this on fb! Thought it was adorable! Hoping my cats are like this!

trucksntutus

Aweeee I hope my kitty is like this!! He's 8 years old and is very good around kids. My roommates 3 year old daughter plays rough houses with him all the time and he just lets her do whatever she wants. Now, if my roomie or I were to mess with him like that it'd be another story.. Lol!

Becky&James

I have three cats who are all strictly indoors. I am not worried about toxoplasmosis since I Am pretty sure they don't eat raw meat. DH does scoop the litter box right now but is definitely not happy about it. I do not intend to get tested for it.
I am more worried about my two dogs around the baby than I am the three cats. The cats will probably investigate and then go on their way. One of them will probably go into hiding mode for a week or so. There will definitely be a lot of supervision when the baby gets here.

nopegoat

My OB checks for it with the initial blood work. I am not immune and have an indoor cat. H travels a lot so I don't really have a choice but to do it. I just make sure I wash my hands really well afterwards.

We put stuff together kind of early and let all our animals (cat and two dogs) explore so they aren't quite so curious later on when the baby gets here. We have never had any problem with our kids and cat. For the most part she stays far away from our loud unpredictable boys.

BnKNovember

We have two indoor cats and H takes care of the litter. They are both used to our huge dog who constantly plays with them and slobbers on them. I think the cats will be good with baby, but I will be careful about them sleeping in baby's room as they are both very affectionate. I am more worried about our dog since baby will be at prime licking and wagging tail height for a few years.

feenstas

1. Nope. 

2. Nope. We just closed the bedroom door when my kiddo slept the first time around. That's the plan this time, too. 

shaylalr

I have two indoor cats. DH is cleaning the litter box and my midwife said it is unnecessary for me to get tested. I am really worried about one of my cats. My husband really wants to get rid of him before the baby comes. When I started working full time he would start attacking my face out of nowhere and was very aggressive. He has calmed down now and the two cats love each other, but has little affection for us like my other cat who just constantly wants to be with me. Because of his unpredictability, we might end up giving him away.

TaraBear711

I have a cat, and I asked my ob for the test. I'm in the military and they looked at me like I was crazy.. I guess that means don't worry.. my DH is on litter box duty for now..

Allison7

I have an indoor cat. I am not really worried, but DH does the litter box except for when he is traveling for business. As for the cat with the baby, Lucy was fine. DH brought home a blanket to smell before we brought home DD. The only thing Lucy minded was having to share her new cat furniture (she loves the mamaroo, infant car seat, bouncy seat, play mat, etc.), but she doesn't get angry with DD. Lucy leaves if DD gets too aggressive or close. We also make sure to let Lucy know that we are still protecting her from DD by making sure that DD isn't allowed to get to rough or disturb Lucy when she is resting.

carrieandr

I'm amazed that so many of you were able to get your husbands to clean the litter box. If I asked DH to do that he would laugh at me and suggest we get rid of the cats instead.

Deepoet

We had 4 indoor cats in a 1 bedroom apartment when we had DS. We only have 1 now. DH does the litter. People will shout old wives tails about cats stealing the babies breath and all that jazz. When DS first came home 1 of our cats used to snuggle with him in his boppy!