Should you’re not a cat particular person then you definitely’re most likely like my very own dad and mom have been – very afraid of what life seems to be like in a family with a new child human toddler and a cat (and two giant canines in our case). A fast Google search on ‘cat smothers toddler’ will present you that the newsworthy headline is much extra uncommon than the circulating worry on the identical subject.
That’s to not say warning shouldn’t be taken with cats and infants, there’s loads of precautions to take no matter what number of documented occasions have taken place, if there’s a sufficiently big threat, you don’t take it. However…it additionally begs the query, ‘in terms of cats and infants, what’s a delusion and what’s actuality?’
It goes with out saying that each cat, each child, and each family are completely different, so take my anecdotal tales with a grain of salt, however I’ve tried to offer some verifiable info too. The lengthy and quick is, don’t imagine all the pieces you hear – however don’t take foolish dangers both.
Delusion 1: Your Cat Will Attempt to Smother Your Child
Debunking the parable:
One of the widespread myths is that cats will run like a moth to a flame to smother a sleeping child by mendacity on their face whereas they sleep. There are, sadly, few reported instances of a cat sleeping on an toddler’s face and resulting in premature dying (even one is simply too many to not take significantly),1 nevertheless, there isn’t a scientific proof to assist the declare that they’ll try to do that on goal. Cats, like many animals, are naturally curious and could also be drawn to the heat of a crib and a child, however the concept that they’ll deliberately smother one is unfounded.
Actuality:
Whereas it’s true {that a} cat may smother an toddler, it’s unlikely that they’d, and much more unlikely that they’d lay on a toddler with the intention of smothering them. However, to make sure security and peace of thoughts, it’s really useful to maintain doorways closed and cats out when the child is sleeping, or to oversee. And if you happen to present your cat with different heat and welcoming areas, they’re much less more likely to head in your child.
Our state of affairs:
Regardless that I used to be not shopping for into the fearmongering, I nonetheless didn’t take my probabilities, and saved the cat out every time our child was sleeping. We have been additionally fortunate that she was born in winter (hearth season). That didn’t cease him from desirous to snuggle along with her although, and every time the supervised alternative offered itself, Child Cat would snuggle into our daughter’s legs and have a pleasant heat cozy cuddle. I’m pleased we allowed this as a result of it helped with their bonding and retaining Child Cat feeling like he was nonetheless a fundamental a part of the household after she arrived. I’ll reiterate that these conditions have been all the time supervised, however we by no means noticed him attempting to climb onto her face. He’s a respectful little lad.
Delusion 2: Cats Are Jealous of Infants
Debunking the Delusion:
Whereas not as widespread as the primary, one other delusion that travels farther extra within the cat particular person circles is that cats will turn into jealous of latest infants, and it may result in aggressive or damaging behaviors. If in case you have a cat, you realize that they’re creatures of behavior and should initially be unsettled by modifications within the family, however this doesn’t equate jealousy. Cats don’t possess the advanced feelings and social constructions that may result in human-like jealousy.2
Actuality:
Your cats might present indicators of stress or confusion when a brand new child arrives, resembling hiding or modifications in consuming or sleeping habits, peeing outdoors the litter field, speaking/meowing again, and so on, as a result of there’s a change of their day by day routine. Nevertheless, with correct introduction and gradual changes, most cats not solely adapt properly to the presence of a brand new member of the family, however can turn into greatest associates with the most recent being that may feed them when the bowl is empty as a result of they aren’t positive when the final feeding was. Creating constructive associations with the child, resembling giving treats and a spotlight to the cat when the child is round, may also help ease the transition. The extra you may preserve your cat’s life as near what it was pre-baby, the much less harassed they are going to be concerning the modifications.
Our state of affairs:
We have been advised by our doggie daycare proprietor gave us some extremely useful recommendation for once we have been introducing our canines to our child, and we additionally did the identical for Child Cat:
Introduce them to her, not the opposite means round. Don’t say, ‘That is Child Cat’, however say, ‘Hey Child, that is your new sister.’ and inform the animals the child’s title, time and again, so that they know that this tiny human is above them on the chain of command. However then, give them tons of reward and treats for being calm and sort across the child.
This labored for us.
We really filmed the introductions considering it could be some cute shareable content material, and all three animals have been detached and went straight for the treats. That indifference continued for the primary day, which was really one of the best factor we may have hoped for (no threat of speedy smothering because the animals have been barely affected by her presence!). That indifference advanced into cautious curiosity, the place they’d slowly odor her toes or head, and perhaps lay down beside her. However we by no means sensed any jealousy. Child Cat did get somewhat extra snuggly with us for some time, but when that’s the feline type of jealousy, I’ll take it.
Delusion 3: Cats Carry Harmful Illnesses and Will Transmit Them to Infants
Debunking the parable:
A standard concern amongst cat individuals and non cat individuals is that cats carry illnesses that may be dangerous to infants. Toxoplasmosis, a illness brought on by the parasite Toxoplasma gondii, is probably the most usually illness individuals consult with. Whereas it’s true that cats may be carriers of this parasite, the danger of transmission to people, notably infants, is low with correct hygiene practices.
It’s in fact a threat for pregnant ladies, as a result of it may be transmitted to the fetus, however as soon as the child is out and at dwelling, the consequences are much less possible and fewer extreme.3
Actuality:
To cut back the danger of toxoplasmosis, pregnant ladies and new dad and mom ought to all the time observe good hygiene, resembling washing arms after dealing with cat litter and making certain the litter field is cleaned repeatedly. This ought to be taking place no matter being pregnant and motherhood, however additional warning is recommended to be taken (if attainable, not having the pregnant or early mom altering the litter). Preserving cats indoors and feeding them industrial cat meals moderately than uncooked meat also can reduce the danger.4 And naturally, common veterinary care is important to keep up the general well being of your cat and scale back potential dangers.
Our state of affairs:
This was most likely probably the most generally regurgitated story I heard from my household, much more than the smothering delusion, and I’ve to confess, that for just a few months whereas pregnant, I purchased into it arduous. Higher to be secure than sorry, proper? However really, I had a totally unfounded aversion to Child Cat. It makes me unhappy to even write that out, but it surely’s true. I used to be so anxious his little paws have been carrying Toxoplasmosis or different illnesses that I might wipe his paws earlier than letting him sit close to me on the sofa or mattress (he wasn’t allowed on me), and sometimes would simply ask my husband to cuddle him as an alternative of me.
This went away naturally, just like the flip of a change, after I used to be about 32 weeks pregnant, and whereas we nonetheless saved extremely excessive cleansing requirements across the litter field, I used to be far much less afraid of germs or illness.
He does eat a blended uncooked weight-reduction plan, and there was no means we have been allowed to alter that, so we simply made much more positive we have been disinfecting all the pieces day by day with wipes and retaining the litter cleaned day by day.
In terms of different germs and illnesses, whereas there’s not a lot precise analysis for cats and infants, there’s some for canines and infants, which suggests that children who’re uncovered to animals within the first 12 months of life “are 30 p.c much less more likely to expertise colds, ear infections and coughs than kids who aren’t uncovered to animals.” And, in our home, contact wooden, we’ve got not needed to battle any of the aforementioned sicknesses previously two years – whether or not it’s the cat or the canines or simply pure dumb luck, we preserve the place clear and take all crucial precautions, however aren’t anxious that Child Cat would be the one to make our daughter sick.
The Final Child’s Cat
Usually, if you happen to’re speaking to a non cat particular person about cats and infants, you’re more likely to hit just a few roadblocks of well-intentioned fears. Many are unwarranted, however that doesn’t imply warning ought to be thrown to the wind. It’s by no means value taking dangers in terms of your child.
We made positive we by no means thought ‘that may by no means occur to us,’ but in addition, we by no means needed to let worry wreck our lives and our relationship with Child Cat. We nurtured him, and confirmed our child to do the identical, and their relationship has blossomed into one of the lovely issues. We frequently can’t imagine how a lot Child Cat loves her, he’ll search her out only for a fast snuggle earlier than shifting on to his subsequent retirement ritual (toileting, sitting in a warmth spot, or sitting by the empty bowl pretending he’s ravenous to dying).
Some cats might not fare properly with infants, relying on age and the way accustomed they’re to being the king or queen of the citadel, however in our case, we had one of the best reception that retains blossoming as they proceed to develop collectively and in the direction of each other. It’s too painful for me to consider our lives with out our geriatric boy however I’m so pleased after I take into consideration the love he had for our daughter from the second we introduced her dwelling.
