Cats with babies: a parent’s guide to keeping (human) kiddies & kitties safe

If you’re a pet parent with a little (human) one on the way, you may be worried that cats with babies aren’t a good combination - cats and babies or babies with kittens aren't exactly a match we're told is made in heaven! Or maybe you’d like to experience pet sitting a cute kitty, but are unsure whether it's safe to do so with a toddler. Combining the two begs the questions - are cats good with babies, or are cats a danger to babies?

Either way, we’re here to clear up your concerns, dispel the common myths around cats and babies, and let you know how to keep cats with newborns and infants happy together.

Cats with babies — the myths

1. Cats steal babies’ breath

One of the most common worries when it comes to cats with babies is ‘stealing breath’. As the name suggests, this is the belief that cats will suffocate a baby by breathing in its breath.

Of course, this moggie myth is untrue and it's as silly as it sounds — our furry friends do not suck away the breath of babies! However, many cats do enjoy cuddling up to their humans, which can be dangerous when it comes to smaller family members. If a cat rests on top of a baby or a young child, this could easily lead to accidental suffocation, so kitten and baby cuddles aren't such a good idea, or worth the cute photo.

So, if you’re a parent who also has a feline family member, it’s important to supply your kitty with a warm and snuggly place to sleep, away from your child, so that cat and newborn cuddles are avoided altogether. This could be a cute pet igloo or large cat tree, which will also act as a safe retreat in times of stress (maybe for when the cat and baby commotion gets a little too much for your feline friend!). For extra peace of mind, new parents (to human babies) can also reduce the risk of accidental injury or the transmission of diseases by keeping cats and babies separate, out of the crib and pram using specially designed nets.

2. Cats can harm unborn babies

There is some fact to this feline myth; while cats themselves are not dangerous, cat faeces can contain a parasite which may cause the dangerous disease, toxoplasmosis.

Unfortunately, due to the potential risk cat poo poses, many pregnant pet parents choose to relinquish their pet to rehoming centres. However, this is unnecessary; pregnant mothers can keep their moggies, they just need to make some simple adjustments.

Cats and babies - safety concerns

Having a pet in the home with small children is a responsibility, no matter how well behaved your kitty is. Any animal - your beloved kitty is not an exception - can be a risk to your baby or toddler, even if they are the sweetest fur babies in the world. Things can happen, so it’s better to be prepared. That’s why we've put together these useful guidelines below to help you keep the cats and infants in your home safe.

Suffocation or smothering

We’ve covered this point above. No, moggies can’t steal babies’ breath right out of their mouth. So you don’t need to worry about that one - cats with babies in the room won't be stealing their oxygen any time soon! 

However, cats can pose a suffocation risk to your baby if you let them sleep near each other. There’s nothing kitties love more than snuggling up in bed with their humans. That’s perfectly fine for cats and adults or older kids, but not cats with newborns, babies or infants. Babies are so small and delicate that it’s better to avoid them sharing their crib with the resident cat. 

How to do that? It’s a very easy fix. Make sure your cat stays away from your little one while they’re sleeping or napping. You can do that by... 

• Supervising your baby during sleep, especially when they aren't in their crib or bassinet - cats with babies who are sleeping isn't a recommended combination.
• Closing the door to the room your baby is in so that your kitten and baby only get quality time while you're there.
• Putting up baby gates so that your cat cannot enter those rooms without your permission.

Toxoplasmosis

Another one we’ve already discussed in our cats and babies myths section. Yes, toxoplasmosis is a real concern but if you’re pregnant you’re probably already doing everything to prevent catching it in your pregnancy. 

To recap, to keep yourself and your baby away from toxoplasmosis: 

• Keep your cat indoors and away from outdoors or stray cats
• Don’t let your child touch or eat cat litter
• Always wash your hands or wear gloves when changing the litter box, or have a non-pregnant person change it for you
• Don’t feed your cat raw meat - it raises their risk of catching the parasite that causes toxoplasmosis

Cat hair

When you live with furry friends at home their hair will end up everywhere, no matter what you do or how much you clean - so cats and babies cause a little mess in our homes from time to time! There’s always a hair here and there. Whilst it’s not the most hygienic, cat-hair-on-the-baby-blanket is not really much of a threat to anyone’s health - unless they are allergic to cat hair. But then, if your child is highly allergic to cat hair you’d probably know early on, as cats with babies who have an allergy of course shouldn't be mixed. 

On the other hand, some scientific research suggests that babies who grow up with pets at home are less likely to develop allergies. So that’s a plus for keeping your kitty at home. 

Cat intestinal issues

Yes, if your moggy has any viral, bacterial, or parasitic illness it could spread to the rest of the family. However, basic hygiene will help you avoid this risk: 

• Make sure the baby doesn’t go near the cat’s litter box - it's common sense to keep this cat and baby divide.
• Clean up any pet mess right away.
• Wash your hands after changing your kitty’s litter box or doing any routine hygiene on your cat. Wearing gloves and disposing of them is also a good idea.

Jealousy

Exactly like any other animal, cats can get jealous, especially cats with babies new to the home. And they could display some signs of aggression if they see your baby as their competition for your love. 

How to know if your cat is jealous or not? Look out for excessive meowing or destructive behaviour. But with love, patience and routine all should go well. Here are a few tips on avoiding jealousy in homes where cats and babies are an inevitable mix... 

• Don’t put baby stuff on their favourite spots in the house.
• Try to maintain a normal kitty routine when the baby comes home.
• Be patient and consistent - don’t scold your cat, as this can make the situation worse.
  

Scratching and biting

If you’ve had cats long enough you’ll know that sometimes you can get a scratch or a small bite just by playing with your cat. They mean no harm most of the time, but if scratches are deep enough they can lead to skin infections. To prevent any of those happening to your baby, always supervise their interactions with the resident kitty, keeping cats, kittens and babies separate when you're not in the room.

Advice for pregnant pet parents on mixing cats with babies

Pregnant women often make lots of little changes to their usual lives to ensure a happy pregnancy and a healthy baby. If you’re a pregnant pet parent, it simply means you have a few more things to think about now that cats with babies are in the mix in your home.

On the whole, you and your cat should be able to maintain your normal routine, providing excellent general hygiene is practiced. However, expecting mums should not deal with cat litter trays, faeces, or soiled areas in the garden. Similarly, gloves should always be worn when gardening or handling any object that could have come into contact with cat faeces.

Also, to reduce the risk of infection, any cat litter trays must be cleaned multiple times a day and completely changed on a weekly basis. When pregnant or if you have small children, it’s particularly important to ensure your cat is wormed regularly. Remember, worming treatment is not residual and so monthly dosing is advised.

Finally, as cute as the kitty may be, pregnant people must completely avoid all contact with unknown and stray cats - stray cats and babies simply don't mix.

Introducing cats with a newborn baby

As every new parent knows, bringing a bundle of joy home can be a stressful time. And, the sudden presence of a baby in the home can cause even the coolest kitty to feel uncomfortable - while they'll most likely get on eventually, the cat and baby mix isn't always initially a harmonious one. There are a few things you can do before and after the baby is home to make sure your cat is ready for the new member of the family. Read on and we’ll tell you all!

What to do before baby comes

So, before introducing cat or kitten and baby, the kindest thing to do is prepare them. Try to check these to-dos off the list a few months before your due date...

• Use pheromone therapy - This one is a popular technique. Pheromones are used as a form of communication between cats, with felines depositing them within their home to create a safe and happy environment. The synthetic version of the pheromones is available as both a plug-in diffuser and a spray, which you should start using a few weeks before the baby’s arrival. This will help the cat to feel safe at home, reduce stress, and consequently aid their acceptance of the new arrival.
• Prepare your cat to life with a newborn baby - Another clever preparation tactic is to get your kitty acclimated to the new smells and sounds that new babies bring to homes. Here are some good things to do: 
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• Ensure you’ve got stress-relieving toys for your cat - Whether that’s a scratching post or anything else that helps them relieve stress and boredom, make sure that you have it at home and that your kitty loves it. That way you’ll avoid them scratching your favourite armchair or sofa. 
• Prep baby-only surfaces with sticky tape (and remove it when the baby is home) - Basically, you don’t want your fur baby to get used to sleeping in baby-only places like the crib or changing table. Since cats hate sticky surfaces, it may be a good idea to put some on those areas so that they don’t get used to napping on them. 
• Change caregiver roles - This one may be handy if you’ve always been your kitty’s main caregiver. Now may be the time to start sharing some of the day-to-day duties with your partner. That way the cat won’t think you’re abandoning them after the baby comes home. 

What to do after baby comes home

Once your baby gets home you need to make sure that the house is safe and comfy for both your cat and babies. We’re going to help you with some things you should do in the first few days, weeks and months after bringing your newborn baby home. 

• Once the baby is born, it’s also a good idea to introduce your cat to the baby’s smell indirectly. Simply send someone you trust home from the hospital with a blanket or a piece of clothing that has your baby’s smell. Leave it in a cat-friendly space and let them have a sniff on their own terms. That way, by the time you get home with the baby, the cat will be familiar with their scent. 
• Play with your cat without the baby for a bit - When you first get home from the hospital, enter the house on your own before bringing the baby in (if you have someone that can hold your newborn outside) - this will ease your cat and baby together. Your kitty will have missed you and will want to greet you. That way you can manage them and give them your affection for a bit without them feeling they have competition now. 
• Have a safe place where your cat can retreat - Babies are a lot of work and bring a lot of new stimuli, which is one of the reasons that some people think cats with babies don't mix, but they can with a little work, love and patience. If babies are stressful for parents, imagine how a solitary cat would feel. For this reason, it’s always a good idea to have some spaces at home that are “cat only” where your kitty can retreat from all the baby-induced chaos.
• Once the baby arrives home, make sure your pussy cat’s possessions — like water, food, bed, and toys — are kept away from the new addition to the family. This will mean there is no forced interaction between the cats and babies in your home; forced interaction can lead to aggressive behaviour and prolong the time it takes for your cat and baby to bond. But don’t worry — cats are naturally inquisitive and so your kitty will be over for a sniff soon enough.
• Don’t neglect your cat’s hygiene needs or playtime - With a newborn home, you’ll have your hands full. But that doesn’t mean you can ignore your cat’s needs, either. Make sure you make room or schedule some time for playing, feeding, grooming and engaging with your kitty. Even if it’s just 10 minutes, that’s better than nothing. If you’re too overwhelmed, ask a family member or friend for help until things settle down and you all adapt to the new routine. 

As well as trying these tips and tactics, an integral part of dealing with cats and newborn babies is to ensure you still spend quality time with your pet. This will help them feel safe and secure, despite all the unsettling changes around them.

Toddlers & cats: how to keep a happy family

Toddlers and cats can be a tricky combination, with inquisitive children yet to learn how to properly play with pets. However, cats can be great companions for children of all ages, as long as they’re properly supervised.

So, if you’re a parent of an inquisitive kid and are caring for a kitty, it’s important to look out for any subtle signs of irritation or discomfort. If these are overlooked, then the cat will likely move onto more obvious signs, such as growling, hissing and, even worse, scratching or biting.

To prevent the cat becoming distressed and potentially harming the toddler, safe and supervised interactions should be encouraged. This includes teaching children to play with cats using long-handled toys or balls that can be rolled away. This will keep both toddler and cat safe while they build their own special bond.

Still unsure about cats with babies?

Growing up with pets is a great way for little ones to learn about animals, relationships, and important life lessons. If you’re not sure your family is prepared to fully commit to a kitty, a great way to allow your children to experience having a furry sibling is by house and pet sitting.

Looking for advice about cat pregnancy, instead? We got you.

The community of TrustedHousesitters is a safe and easy way to find cute pets looking for people to stay with them in their home while their pet parents are away. With members around the world, there are animal-filled adventures near and far away for your family to discover.

Sound like something you and your little ones would love? Take some time to explore our members' stories, tips and advice for families who house and pet sit. You can also find out more by talking to our Membership Services team, who all have first-hand house and pet sitting experience.