What to do with cat after baby comes?

KittenMittens8 · July 2015

I have three pets: 2 cats and 1 dog. The dog is create trained at night and actually will go in her create on her own at night since that is where she prefers to sleep. My siamese cat is completely independent and has never had any interest in being in our room at night. She only really ever comes in to wake us up in the morning.

My problem is my male cat. He is a little obsessed with me (which I actually love) and will sleep next to me all night long...he will not budge for anything! Although all the animals are like my kids and I love them all equally, I do have a soft spot for this cat.

When baby comes, she'll be sleeping next to me in a bassinet for at least 4 to 5 months. I would sleep much easier knowing none of the animals were in the room with us during that time . How can I start getting my male cat ready for this transition? It sounds silly, but I don't want to hurt his feelings.

millereliz13 · July 2015

I'd start now with banning animals from the bedroom if you don't want him in there. My goofy male cat is like your cat, however, I am not kicking him out, because he does move when I need him to.

candicequeen · July 2015

Maybe put the bassinet near you now to start getting him used to it being there and put tin foil inside so if he goes in he will jump right back out. That's how we convinced our cats to keep from jumping in the crib!

MandahGirly · July 2015

I agree with @millereliz13 you should also try to find a new place for him to sleep. Buy him a bed and put it wherever you want it to be and reward him every time he sleeps in it so he knows it's a good place to go. Can you close your bedroom door? If he scratches you could get one of those air horn type things that you could set up at the door so that every time he scratches at the door he gets a little puff of air. Eventually he will stop trying to come in.

My cat usually sleeps in our bed during the winter when it is cold but I can usually push her over to a place that is more comfortable for me.

AiramJ · July 2015

Start keeping both cats out of the bedroom. Keep the door closed at night. It will be hard at the start, but they will get used to it.

silly514 · July 2015

We have two cats that sleep right next to us. I think we shut them out just shortly before the due date with dd1 and they pawed at the door for a few minutes the first couple nights, then they were fine. They both found other places to sleep and we kept them out for 5 months until she went to her nursery. Then they came right back. It wasn't as big of a deal as I thought it would be really. I'm sure he will be fine.

plumpous · July 2015

I know how you feel, I would love to have the cat stay in the room with us. But I am too nervous about it so we stopped letting him in. If you did want to keep him in another spot in the room you can actually train him. At some point I decided the cat can't be on the bed anymore because he kneads his paws and it ruins my sheets. So every time he climbed up, I pushed him out. After a few nights, he got the hint. Animals are pretty simple creatures. If you follow through, they get it. It's sad, I know, and you might find revengeful gifts around the house, but I believe at some point they adjust.

ameares721 · July 2015

My cat will be staying with my grandmother starting the week before I'm due and until I feel settled at home and can bring him back in and make sure he gets enough attention! He stays with my grandmother when I go on weeklong vacations and he loves being spoiled there so I won't have to worry about him being neglected or alone. I only let him stay in the bedroom at night when my husband is away which is not often so that's not a problem. I think transitioning him now would be best - all of our pets are in for a big change!

morganabyrd · July 2015

Maybe a silly question, but what is the fear of cat being in the bedroom with the baby? Is he in your way, or does he make it hard for you to sleep? Or is it that he may hurt baby while your sleeping?

KittenMittens8 · July 2015

morganabyrd said:
Maybe a silly question, but what is the fear of cat being in the bedroom with the baby? Is he in your way, or does he make it hard for you to sleep? Or is it that he may hurt baby while your sleeping?

My fear is that he will jump in the bassinet. He is a huge cuddler and really loves to curl up to people. So I fear that he will get so close to babys face and she won't be able to breath.

KittenMittens8 · July 2015

These are all great tips! Thank you! I know it's strange but I love my pets so much I really worry about their feelings. I would hate for them to think I've replaced them

perrysaurus · July 2015

I'm so glad I stumbled upon this! I have 2 cats and they BOTH love to snuggle neck/face/shoulder r very night in our bed. My biggest fear is my little girl snuggling up on the baby. I never even thought to start the transition now, it breaks my heart bc both cats are so personable. They legitimately develop anxious behaviors when we are away from them for long periods of time. I have always wanted to get them a bed, but I never wanted them out of mine. I have a heated window perch, and if left plugged in the cats will spend the night at it.

I guess that will be my transition trick, cats LOVE heated beds no matter the time of year, thid way they may not cry to be with us.

Knottie59387608 · July 2015

I'm having the same issue and we have started to try to keep him out already. He is RELENTLESS though. He will cry and scream at the door for hours. Normally after not being able to sleep for 3 hours because of it I just let him in. I have no idea what to do! Lol

xlipservicex · July 2015

Personally, I plan to just let our cats keep on life as usual. Sometimes they sleep on our bed, sometimes not but they like sleeping in our room. I'm hoping to keep their lives as the same as before so they don't feel replaced or put out. I want them to like the baby, not resent it.

Not all cats react that way tho and you definitely need to do what's right for you. My male is a cuddle bug too but he usually leaves after an hour to go sleep on the bath mat or in the laundry basket.

xlipservicex · July 2015

You could try putting a bed where he normally sleeps to see if he will sleep in it and gradually move him further away

morganabyrd · July 2015

I've seen bassinets with a netting/canopy cover - maybe that could help? I haven't used one myself, but maybe it would be worth looking into?

MeganKGarcia · July 2015

I love the idea of setting up the bassinet ahead of time and putting foil in it. That way the cats learn that it is not a spot for them. I will likely try this trick myself.

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