Having a baby raises many questions for new parents, and some involve the family cat. “Can our cat be trusted around the child?” and “Will our cat harm the child?” are among the most common concerns. These questions may be valid, but sadly, they have earned many cats a one-way ticket to the local shelter or vet clinic. Owners often base their decision to surrender or euthanize on premature assumptions about cat reactions and behavior. Such assumptions are typically based on urban legends rather than facts and are thus unfair to the family cat. Most cats without existing aggression issues can learn how to co-exist fine with newborns and children alike.
The key to a safe, happy relationship between cats and small children lies in the initial introduction. The arrival of a new baby, for instance, will be a shock to your cat’s system, regardless of how sociable a cat it is. It will upset the cat’s daily routines, and you must be considerate throughout the entire process. Firstly, cats need to be properly prepared. You cannot simply turn up with a bundle of unfamiliar smells and expect no reaction from your feline friend. Cats primarily understand their world through scent, so you need to gradually introduce your baby’s smells into your cat’s environment. You can do this while the newborn is still in the hospital.
