cat with a negative reaction to pregnancy?

Nekotaru · May 2014

Has anyone had a pet have a *negative* reaction to their pregnancy during the pregnancy?

Have 2 cats, 1 puppy. All seem to be fine but one of the cats.

She was never the most sociable cat, but has always been nice to us, the past week I have been contemplating if her actions in the past months might actually be because of the pregnancy.

I ask because I am hoping they will go away when baby is born, but if not we have to give her to my mom. She is still...mostly nice to me and hubby, but seems to be nasty to the other pets and I am worried she will be that way to baby.

efino87 · May 2014

Have you thought of the fact the cat may actually be acting more protective of you because of your pregnancy, which is translating to more aggressive toward other pets? My Persian is very clingy with me when I am pregnant and the lab can be more aggressive toward strangers if he feels I am threatened. Both are great with our DD.

I agree with PP, you need to talk to your vet or another expert but I wouldn't jump straight into assuming the cat is going to hate baby and need to leave the home. This is a really big change for your pets too. Give them a chance to adjust!

edit for lack of spelling

Nekotaru · May 2014

We are by no means "jumping to give her away" please do not think that I cry about this issue, I don't want to give her away at all! And we do plan to see how she does with the baby before making a decision like that. "Giving her away" is not the case, as I said my mom offered to take her for awhile if anything becomes an issue because then we can still see her and have the option to bring her back here - if there *is* an issue. So, yes, someone loving, who loves cats, WILL take her knowing how she is, which we are very fortunate to be in this position that my mom offered to help so we *don't* have to give her away.

I will definitely be talking to the vet I've already made an appointment to see her. But I will look at the sprays, too.

MrsWaller84 · May 2014

My cat went through a phase early in my pregnancy where he used to bite me all the time - it was his way of playing but of course they don't realise they hurt! He is still young so that may play a role too but he went from being a really loving & fussy nice cat to a nightmare that constantly jumped, scratched & bit us! I wondered if that were to do with him sensing my hormones...I used the feliway & felt it helped to calm him down. Does your cat go out much? I think that helped mine to, as the weather got better he started going out more. I'm 31 weeks now & he is completely different, so loving, always snuggling on my lap & fussing around me. It may be that she is sensing a change in your hormones, as someone else said animals are very sensitive. I agree it could be a protection thing if its only the other cats she's being nasty towards, or maybe she's just sensing change. I'm sure she will be fine in the end though. xx

dragonfly711 · May 2014

Cats are very sensitive to change. You can try Feliwat diffuser. It is a calming pheromone for cats due to stress.

Talk to your vet that is one thing you can try but your vet can give other ideas and worst comes to worst you could try kitty anxiety meds.

All cats are different and handle stress and anxiety in different ways.

Your vet should be able to help. Or I have a friend who is a technician but also deals with animal behavior I know she would chat with you. Let me know I can give you her email address. She also works with an animal vet behaviorist.

dragonfly711 · May 2014

RedheadBaker said:

MrsWaller84 said:
My cat went through a phase early in my pregnancy where he used to bite me all the time - it was his way of playing but of course they don't realise they hurt! He is still young so that may play a role too but he went from being a really loving & fussy nice cat to a nightmare that constantly jumped, scratched & bit us! I wondered if that were to do with him sensing my hormones...I used the feliway & felt it helped to calm him down. Does your cat go out much? I think that helped mine to, as the weather got better he started going out more. I'm 31 weeks now & he is completely different, so loving, always snuggling on my lap & fussing around me. It may be that she is sensing a change in your hormones, as someone else said animals are very sensitive. I agree it could be a protection thing if its only the other cats she's being nasty towards, or maybe she's just sensing change. I'm sure she will be fine in the end though. xx
Cats should not be let outside.

Oh please if your kitty is an indoor kitty don't let him or her out. That is not going to solve the issue. If anything he might take off or end up getting into fights or contracting leukemia or aides from other cats.

There are many things you can try before letting him out.

MrsWaller84 · May 2014

With regards to letting cats outside, the RSPCA state the following: "There is no definitive knowledge regarding whether being an indoor-only cat is better/worse than one who goes outdoors. You must meet all your cat's needs whether they’re an indoor cat or not. However, indoor-only cats have additional needs to meet to ensure they’re healthy and happy. Indoor environments can become predictable and boring, leading to stress, inactivity and obesity. It’s important you provide cats with everything they need. An indoor-only lifestyle may appear safer for cats as they’re protected from dangers outdoors. Indoor environments can be equally dangerous." The choice whether or not to allow a cat outside is a personal one, everyone is entitled to their opinion of course, mine being as long you follow the advice of your vet & ensure your cat is vaccinated & in each night, there is no harm in allowing them play time outside. Of course if they have not been allowed outside from a young age (after being neutered etc) then it may cause them more stress letting them out suddenly. This is however getting off topic, Nekotaru was asking if anyone had experienced a similar situation to herself, jumping to conclusions about her "giving away" her beloved pet & telling other people their choice of lifestyle for their beloved pets is wrong, isn't the kind of support we should be offering each other xx

TugboatSheila · May 2014

Yes, I've been seeing some behavioral issues that have gotten worse with my pregnancy from my cat. He attacks my legs when I walk and bites me. Sometimes it trips me up. It's like he gets saucer eyes and comes at me out of nowhere. It doesn't feel playful at all judging by his body language.

We haven't been able to find a good solution (tried adding laser time, he has lots of toys, always fresh food and water, we give him lots of attention, fresh litter and we have Feliway. The only thing that "works" at least at first, is spraying water when he does it. We don't spray it AT him but around him and it gets him out of his attack state). I'm scared that he'll do this when I have an infant in my arms or attack the baby like he does my feet. I'm going to my vet tomorrow to ask for additional advice so we can be consistent with this before the baby is born and try and ebb the behavior.

I second talking to your vet. If it came to the safety of your child or the safety/mental health of your pet, I wouldn't judge you for rehoming the pet with your mom but I would exhaust every option and give it your all before exploring that.

Nekotaru · May 2014

Yes my kitties are indoor kitties, so they do not go outside. And she does seem to go into "attack mode" on the other pets (never people, just the other pets) for no reason at all and not just when they are close to me, personally, so that makes me sad.

We are trying to give her more attention than normal, hoping she isn't feeling neglected from all our attention on baby stuff and the other pets. We got a new litter box that she seems to love, maybe that is helping a bit

And my mom came down from out of state to stay with me all this week and that extra attention from her now during the day too I think is really helping because as I said the kitty was only being strange to other pets but she rubs all over friends and my parents when they come over and licks and gives kisses and lets them pet her. ^_^ good signs for improvement so maybe she just needed a little extra TLC.

PrimRoseMama · May 2014

I have indoor only cats. FWIW, My gray tabby broke her leg acting the fool on the stairs. So indoor only has it's hazards too.

We have coyotes in this area. So I don't let the cats out. Between traffic & wildlife, they wouldn't last long.

OP: I second the trip to the vet & pheromone diffusers. This behavior could be temporary as your cat resource guards you.

Make sure there are enough litter boxes, & food stations. One litter box for each cat you own. Most owners make kitties share one. In times of stress that can promote aggression.

Multiple food & water stations. Cat toys that you rotate to provide stimulation. One of my cats favorites is a coke bottle with a hole cut in the plastic.

Cut different sized holes in different bottles. Leave the easiest to get out first (larger hole) & put catnip/treats in there. Your cat will go bat shit over this & it will stimulate their brains.

Meery82 · May 2014

When I was pregnant, my cat became obsessed with me. She would drape herself across my lap and stare at me lovingly. This is not her normal personality. Once the baby was born, she went back to being her usual, bitchy self. My brother's g/f is pregnant and she said her cat has started peeing on things since she's been pregnant. Hopefully the peeing will stop (she's got until October), but I can tell you that my cat changed her behavior once baby arrived.

skyesmith · May 2014

My cat was very social to begin with & very attached and throughout my pregnancy I have just noticed she whines a lot more and always wants my attention. Has your cat been around children at all? Bringing a friend / family members baby around will give you an idea of how the cat will react and might get her used to the idea of having a baby around. Good luck!

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