My cat hates crying babies.

akating

My cousin brought her 8 week old baby over to visit this weekend. While there she started to get fussy and my cousin took her into the living room to feed her. The baby started crying and my cat freaked out! Her tail poofed out and the hair on her back and neck stood up. She then ran down the stairs and across the living room hissing and jumped on my cousin (with baby in hand) and tried to strike at them. 

My cat is normally a sweet loving animal. The only other time I have seen her act "strange" was a few days prior my husband dropped something on his toe and fake cried about it. My cat hissed at him.  

Since the baby incident I started making fake crying sounds and playing babies crying on youtube and she growels and at one point attacked my husband.

She has NEVER before this last week acted this way and I have no idea what to do about it. I can't bring my baby home to an animal that could attack but I love my cat as though she were my baby.

Anyone else have a problem like this or know of a solution?  

MamabirdtoBe

We have a baby-hating cat, too. He strikes and hisses at any children.

We've been trying our best to make him feel comfortable when he's uncomfortable. If kids are around or he's ever scared, we pet him, give him treats, and general positive reinforcement. We're hoping by the time that the baby comes, he won't feel as threatened. If he's still dangerous, we just have go get him declawed. I don't want to do it, but it will be the only option because there's no way we're getting rid of him. 

 

Angel0423

I'm sure the cat can climb a baby gate, so I don't think that is solution enough.  I've heard of cats smothering babies, and if your cat is already showing signs of aggressiveness toward babies I would get rid of him.  But thats just me.

j_luvs_r

SouthSideDrea:

Our cat wa slike that for a few weeks when we brought home our 2nd dog. Keep them separated for a while and use a baby gate when you can't be there to watch.  The cat will get used to it and get over it. 

Did you use a baby gate to keep your cat out of a room?  I have never seen a gate keep a cat in or out of a room.  They just jump over it.  

OP - I'm sorry you're having this problem with your cat, but at least it's now and not when the you already have your baby home.  This gives you time to try to work with her.  I'd continue what you're doing.  The constant crying noises may help to desensitize her to it.  

I'd also recommend contacting your vet.  They may be able to recommend some more tips or even an animal trainer that you could contact for advice.

Good luck!

Molluskwrangler

MamabirdtoBe:

We have a baby-hating cat, too. He strikes and hisses at any children.

We've been trying our best to make him feel comfortable when he's uncomfortable. If kids are around or he's ever scared, we pet him, give him treats, and general positive reinforcement. We're hoping by the time that the baby comes, he won't feel as threatened. If he's still dangerous, we just have go get him declawed. I don't want to do it, but it will be the only option because there's no way we're getting rid of him. 

 Are you at all aware of what declawing actually entails?  I would give my cat to a loving home before AMPUTATING (that's what it is) part of their foot.     The last bone of your cat's claw is actually removed.

I may be mistaken but I'm pretty sure you have said that you wouldn't circumsize how could you do this? 

Please get all the information and really think about what you are doing to your animal.  Many cats have pain afterward, not to mention if the cat gets loose it has zero defense from other animals.

 

MeggieChris

LovingBaz:

MamabirdtoBe:

We have a baby-hating cat, too. He strikes and hisses at any children.

We've been trying our best to make him feel comfortable when he's uncomfortable. If kids are around or he's ever scared, we pet him, give him treats, and general positive reinforcement. We're hoping by the time that the baby comes, he won't feel as threatened. If he's still dangerous, we just have go get him declawed. I don't want to do it, but it will be the only option because there's no way we're getting rid of him. 

 Are you at all aware of what declawing actually entails?  I would give my cat to a loving home before AMPUTATING (that's what it is) part of their foot.     The last bone of your cat's claw is actually removed.

I may be mistaken but I'm pretty sure you have said that you wouldn't circumsize how could you do this? 

Please get all the information and really think about what you are doing to your animal.  Many cats have pain afterward, not to mention if the cat gets loose it has zero defense from other animals.

 

 We had one of our cats declawed when I was growing up and I will never do it again. It was terrible to see how much the cat suffered.

My kitten that I got back in May is very spoiled and used to being the center of attention. She is also very wild and hyper. I couldn't imagine not having her around. But if I had to choose between my baby's safety and the cat, no choice for me. I already have a close friend who would be willing to take the cat if necessary. It would break my heart, but I cant put my baby in danger.

akating

Thanks ladies, I was just in such shock to see her act that way. My poor cousin was terrified! And then to see her attack my husband too. She hasn't attacked me but she knows DH as being the punisher in the house and she treats him like the dominant male so it seems strange that she would attack him that way. Luckily no harm was done and hopefully within the next few months we can get her so she doesn't react that way to babies. She didn't mind the baby being there as long as it wasn't crying. 

monicarosega

My cat lashed but it was in a different way with my DS.  She decided to pee on anything and everything that she thought was baby related. Needless to say, we had to find another home for her. Hopefully your cat will adjust after your baby arrives but if it comes down to it, obviously you are going to keep the baby and not the cat ;-) but I wish you lots of luck.  Getting rid of her was heartbreaking.

OscarQ

Responding here since this was XP'd on 2nd Tri.  Haven't had an issue yet with crying babies but I am concerned about inappropriate elimination when the baby arrives.  We've had that problem with one of our cats when we moved - and then with the other cat when we adopted our dogs.  Time, patience and finally - in the first case - kitty prozac helped.  Now it's only a rare occurance and I just deal with it - same way I'll deal with it when this kiddo messes up.

Keep up the fake crying and playing baby sounds and just be really soothing and reward like crazy.  Usually that helps with my two.

Good luck!

Angel0423

SouthSideDrea:

We use our baby gates to keep all of our pets out of parts of our house.  The cat has never once climbed over the gate.   

The whole "cats smothering babies" is a huge OWT, there has never been one confirmed case of that happening.  Way to fear monger though.  Maybe try a little research before you go scaring people.

 

Angel0423

SouthSideDrea:

We use our baby gates to keep all of our pets out of parts of our house.  The cat has never once climbed over the gate.   

The whole "cats smothering babies" is a huge OWT, there has never been one confirmed case of that happening.  Way to fear monger though.  Maybe try a little research before you go scaring people.

 

I  didn't say I had an experience, just that I had heard of it.  Maybe it is an OWT, I don't know, but as nervous as we all get about blankets in cribs, breathable bumpers and the like  I wouldn't be able to risk it.  Especially since the cat has actually lunged at a crying baby.  I wouldn't want to feel like I'm racing the cat every time the baby cries. 

oliverncherie

Cats can be trained to adjust to a new environment. If the cat is reacting to the baby crying, it likely is hurting the cat's hearing... the sounds can be pretty traumatic. The best solution is to separate the cat from the baby for awhile (lock the cat with food, water and litter in a safe room for a day or so). Introduce the cat to baby's environment (the crib, clothes, etc.) and sniff baby's scent. Then, when baby is calm, introduce it to baby with lots of petting, gentle talking, and a treat afterwards.

Cats - just like dogs - have unique personalities. Just like dogs can be aggressive (I never hear of new parents getting rid of their dog - not saying it doesn't happen, just that I never hear of it), cats need to be socialized to the new person. The cat might not LIKE the baby, but it can be trained to keep its distance. Don't forget about kitty.. it still needs attention and love, even if all your time is focused on your new baby. The cat will behave much better if it is not ignored.

 

akating - your cat has not been slowly introduced to the smells, sounds and accoutrement of baby. Having a new person visit out of the blue is probably pretty shocking to your cat. You may just need to lock kitty up when baby visits... you may try socialization, but only when baby is calm and your kitty can sniff around without being freaked out.

Angel0423

SouthSideDrea:

Angel0423:

SouthSideDrea:

We use our baby gates to keep all of our pets out of parts of our house.  The cat has never once climbed over the gate.   

The whole "cats smothering babies" is a huge OWT, there has never been one confirmed case of that happening.  Way to fear monger though.  Maybe try a little research before you go scaring people.

 

I  didn't say I had an experience, just that I had heard of it.  Maybe it is an OWT, I don't know, but as nervous as we all get about blankets in cribs, breathable bumpers and the like  I wouldn't be able to risk it.  Especially since the cat has actually lunged at a crying baby.  I wouldn't want to feel like I'm racing the cat every time the baby cries. 

 But in the case of bumpers and blankets, there have been documented cases of that happening.  It is very sad, and fortunately very rare, but not an urban legend.   Yes, we are all scared of a lot of things, but spreading OWT's and rumors doesn't help anybody. 

 

ok, you can win. Thats fine with me, the cat probably won't smother the baby,  but the OP said "She then ran down the stairs and across the living room hissing and jumped on my cousin (with baby in hand) and tried to strike at them." So... the cat might attack the baby.  Whether or not that includes smothering isn't the issue to me. I wouldn't want my baby clawed up by a cat.  I guess it depends on how much you love the cat.  I personally would give the cat away, and maybe get a pet when the child in older.

Angel0423

SouthSideDrea:

Angel0423:

SouthSideDrea:

Angel0423:

SouthSideDrea:

We use our baby gates to keep all of our pets out of parts of our house.  The cat has never once climbed over the gate.   

The whole "cats smothering babies" is a huge OWT, there has never been one confirmed case of that happening.  Way to fear monger though.  Maybe try a little research before you go scaring people.

 

I  didn't say I had an experience, just that I had heard of it.  Maybe it is an OWT, I don't know, but as nervous as we all get about blankets in cribs, breathable bumpers and the like  I wouldn't be able to risk it.  Especially since the cat has actually lunged at a crying baby.  I wouldn't want to feel like I'm racing the cat every time the baby cries. 

 But in the case of bumpers and blankets, there have been documented cases of that happening.  It is very sad, and fortunately very rare, but not an urban legend.   Yes, we are all scared of a lot of things, but spreading OWT's and rumors doesn't help anybody. 

 

ok, you can win. Thats fine with me, the cat probably won't smother the baby,  but the OP said "She then ran down the stairs and across the living room hissing and jumped on my cousin (with baby in hand) and tried to strike at them." So... the cat might attack the baby.  Whether or not that includes smothering isn't the issue to me. I wouldn't want my baby clawed up by a cat.  I guess it depends on how much you love the cat.  I personally would give the cat away, and maybe get a pet when the child in older.

 Do you even have a cat?  If not, what do you suppose makes you such an expert that you can give this woman advice that she should just up and get rid of a creature for whom she has taken responsibility.  There is a lot she can do to work on behavior modification.  I think I'd be scared shitless too if a tiny high pitched human started screaming and I'd never seen one before. 

 

I didn't say I was an expert! Are you one?  if she were looking for an expert I would imagine she would ask a vet or someone trained in animal behavior rather than posting on a public forum.  Sorry you are so offended by my opinion.  People are allowed to differ in their views.  I was offering mine to the OP.   

SwissMs99

For the people thinking about declawing, something that has been useful for us and our cat is Soft Paws - they may look odd and people ask if I paint my cat's nails...but they do the trick for the claw thing (and a great compromise since I'm completely against declawing & H is against a cat trying to tear up the furniture). Just a thought. When we first tried them out, we had Petsmart put them on Rusty for us...then we got the hang of it pretty quick & the cat actually gets annoyed if one falls off and he starts catching on things. 

As for the OP, I would talk to the Vet - our Rusty apparently has cat anxiety (go figure) and gets a little freaked out if something new happens, we go out of town, people stay overnight at our house, etc. He doesn't lash out - he just ends up either chewing his tail or the litter box becomes his second home. I talked to my vet about options for when the baby comes & cat "prozac" has been suggested as a last alternative. Personally, H & I are just trying to prep the cat with the noises that come with a baby & I plan to send someone home with a blanket that smells like Baby Swiss before H & I come home with the bundle of joy so he can get used to the smell.

I'm sorry your cat lashed out that way & I really hope you are able to find a solution with the help of your vet. I can understand your concern, but if I were in your shoes...I would hate to think that the best alternative is to lose a family member to another home.

 

 

heylee

I agree with Soft Paws. I would never ever declaw my cats. There are also crib tents https://www.amazon.com/Tots-Mind-Cozy-Crib-White/dp/B00014PLAY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1288644656&sr=8-1 you can buy to keep pets out. Ask your vet for a solution as well other than tossing your kitty out, their might be some medicine you can give them for anxiety.

MrsBella_NC

I'm in a similar position, with a crazy cat that is aggressive and I'm concerned for my LO.  And I was truthfully pretty shocked by the lack of support when I said I'd consider finding my our cat a new home.  I realize that this is a public forum where we don't really know each other, so it's easier to be snarky and judgy.  Anyone I've talked to IRL says 'crazy cat has to go'.

I think the baby will be number one, so if the cat, the dog, the neighbor, whoever hurt my child - they would be out of our life.

So, to OP (and the others with pets aggressive toward children), if you'll feel safer if you find a new loving home for your cat - then do it.  Ultimately, your responsibility is to protect your child and give them a safe environment.  Try everything you can to get your pet to adjust, but if they can't change then do what is best for your baby. 

MamabirdtoBe

LovingBaz:

 Are you at all aware of what declawing actually entails?  I would give my cat to a loving home before AMPUTATING (that's what it is) part of their foot.     The last bone of your cat's claw is actually removed.

I may be mistaken but I'm pretty sure you have said that you wouldn't circumsize how could you do this? 

Please get all the information and really think about what you are doing to your animal.  Many cats have pain afterward, not to mention if the cat gets loose it has zero defense from other animals.

 

 

 

I've never once mentioned circumcision, or my views on it. Did you come all the way to the April board to ask me that? 

MamabirdtoBe

To the ladies that suggested Soft Paws- We have two cats and they didn't work for either. They both had the covers chewed off in 3 days. We tried them on two separate occasions and nothing worked.

We just keep our cats claws cut short now, and pray that our cat doesn't maul any of our nieces and nephews when they come over.