Cats and human babies?

Hi,

my wife and I have two indoor only cats (female and male, both fixed,
about 1 1/2 years old, healthy). We are going to have a baby early
next year and some of our friends keep telling us that cats and babies
don't mix. My wife is starting to wonder if we will have to give away
the kitties once the baby is born. Both our cats are very people
friendly (the tomcat in particular loves to interact with humans) both
to us and strangers alike and neither of them scratches or bites
(haven't had a single scratch in over a year). Should I expect
problems?

Thx,

Matt

There are loads of good sights, that help you to get the cats ready for the
baby before it arrives home... eg getting the nursery ready, cot etc and
training the cats to stay out of there... of course you would never leave
the nursery door open if the baby was in there, and use cat net etc....
millions of people have cats and babies, make sure you empty the litter
trays not your wife, and if she has to she always wears rubber gloves, and
washes her hands afterwards.


good luck, to you :-)

--
Luv'n'Stuff
*~*SooZy*~*
New Pictures added every few days
http://community.webshots.com/user/ragdollcatsuk
"Matt" wrote in message
om...
Hi,

my wife and I have two indoor only cats (female and male, both fixed,
about 1 1/2 years old, healthy). We are going to have a baby early
next year and some of our friends keep telling us that cats and babies
don't mix. My wife is starting to wonder if we will have to give away
the kitties once the baby is born. Both our cats are very people
friendly (the tomcat in particular loves to interact with humans) both
to us and strangers alike and neither of them scratches or bites
(haven't had a single scratch in over a year). Should I expect
problems?

Thx,

Matt

There are loads of good sights, that help you to get the cats ready for the
baby before it arrives home... eg getting the nursery ready, cot etc and
training the cats to stay out of there... of course you would never leave
the nursery door open if the baby was in there, and use cat net etc....
millions of people have cats and babies, make sure you empty the litter
trays not your wife, and if she has to she always wears rubber gloves, and
washes her hands afterwards.


good luck, to you :-)

--
Luv'n'Stuff
*~*SooZy*~*
New Pictures added every few days
http://community.webshots.com/user/ragdollcatsuk
"Matt" wrote in message
om...
Hi,

my wife and I have two indoor only cats (female and male, both fixed,
about 1 1/2 years old, healthy). We are going to have a baby early
next year and some of our friends keep telling us that cats and babies
don't mix. My wife is starting to wonder if we will have to give away
the kitties once the baby is born. Both our cats are very people
friendly (the tomcat in particular loves to interact with humans) both
to us and strangers alike and neither of them scratches or bites
(haven't had a single scratch in over a year). Should I expect
problems?

Thx,

Matt

There are loads of good sights, that help you to get the cats ready for the
baby before it arrives home... eg getting the nursery ready, cot etc and
training the cats to stay out of there... of course you would never leave
the nursery door open if the baby was in there, and use cat net etc....
millions of people have cats and babies, make sure you empty the litter
trays not your wife, and if she has to she always wears rubber gloves, and
washes her hands afterwards.


good luck, to you :-)

--
Luv'n'Stuff
*~*SooZy*~*
New Pictures added every few days
http://community.webshots.com/user/ragdollcatsuk
"Matt" wrote in message
om...
Hi,

my wife and I have two indoor only cats (female and male, both fixed,
about 1 1/2 years old, healthy). We are going to have a baby early
next year and some of our friends keep telling us that cats and babies
don't mix. My wife is starting to wonder if we will have to give away
the kitties once the baby is born. Both our cats are very people
friendly (the tomcat in particular loves to interact with humans) both
to us and strangers alike and neither of them scratches or bites
(haven't had a single scratch in over a year). Should I expect
problems?

Thx,

Matt

in article , Matt at
wrote on 9/12/03 7:02 AM:

Hi,

my wife and I have two indoor only cats (female and male, both fixed,
about 1 1/2 years old, healthy). We are going to have a baby early
next year and some of our friends keep telling us that cats and babies
don't mix. My wife is starting to wonder if we will have to give away
the kitties once the baby is born. Both our cats are very people
friendly (the tomcat in particular loves to interact with humans) both
to us and strangers alike and neither of them scratches or bites
(haven't had a single scratch in over a year). Should I expect
problems?

Thx,

Matt

People are so strange. I have friends with cats and babies and they do fine.
I grew up with cats. It was fine. Try to give them the same amount of
attention as usual. Heck, my best friend was often to be found, big pillow
on her lap, baby nursing, kitty cuddled up behind the baby. They all adapted
fine.

Karen

in article , Matt at
wrote on 9/12/03 7:02 AM:

Hi,

my wife and I have two indoor only cats (female and male, both fixed,
about 1 1/2 years old, healthy). We are going to have a baby early
next year and some of our friends keep telling us that cats and babies
don't mix. My wife is starting to wonder if we will have to give away
the kitties once the baby is born. Both our cats are very people
friendly (the tomcat in particular loves to interact with humans) both
to us and strangers alike and neither of them scratches or bites
(haven't had a single scratch in over a year). Should I expect
problems?

Thx,

Matt

People are so strange. I have friends with cats and babies and they do fine.
I grew up with cats. It was fine. Try to give them the same amount of
attention as usual. Heck, my best friend was often to be found, big pillow
on her lap, baby nursing, kitty cuddled up behind the baby. They all adapted
fine.

Karen

in article , Matt at
wrote on 9/12/03 7:02 AM:

Hi,

my wife and I have two indoor only cats (female and male, both fixed,
about 1 1/2 years old, healthy). We are going to have a baby early
next year and some of our friends keep telling us that cats and babies
don't mix. My wife is starting to wonder if we will have to give away
the kitties once the baby is born. Both our cats are very people
friendly (the tomcat in particular loves to interact with humans) both
to us and strangers alike and neither of them scratches or bites
(haven't had a single scratch in over a year). Should I expect
problems?

Thx,

Matt

People are so strange. I have friends with cats and babies and they do fine.
I grew up with cats. It was fine. Try to give them the same amount of
attention as usual. Heck, my best friend was often to be found, big pillow
on her lap, baby nursing, kitty cuddled up behind the baby. They all adapted
fine.

Karen

In article ,
enlightened us with...
my wife and I have two indoor only cats (female and male, both fixed,
about 1 1/2 years old, healthy). We are going to have a baby early
next year and some of our friends keep telling us that cats and babies
don't mix. My wife is starting to wonder if we will have to give away
the kitties once the baby is born. Both our cats are very people
friendly (the tomcat in particular loves to interact with humans) both
to us and strangers alike and neither of them scratches or bites
(haven't had a single scratch in over a year). Should I expect
problems?


Many of us grew up with cats, including myself. You should not have to
surrender your cats just because you're having a child. However, you
will need to supervise the baby and the cats until the baby is old
enough to understand how to properly treat a pet. Expect to need to
supervise interaction until the child is at least 3 or 4, and even after
that, I wouldn't leave them unattended for long.

Babies grab and don't mean to hurt - the cat doesn't know why the baby
hurt it, but scratches or bites to get away. Some cats are far more
tolerant that others. Supervision is the best way to avoid that
situation.

Toddlers chase and just don't know when to leave the cat be. So have a
"safe space" for the cats - a room with a baby gate in the doorway
allows the cats to go somewhere the toddler can't follow. This also
allows you to put the food and litterbox where the toddler can't get
into them.

As your baby grows and can understand, make sure you teach him or her to
respect the cats and love the cats, and you'll have a very happy
household. Don't forget to still pay attention to your kitties! Make
playtime with your baby and your cats together a part of your day to
teach your cats to love and be tolerant of your child as well as teach
your child how to interact with your cats.

Congrats on the new baby.

-------------------------------------------------
~kaeli~
Hey, if you got it flaunt it! If you don't, stare
at someone who does. Just don't lick the TV screen,
it leaves streaks.
http://www.ipwebdesign.net/wildAtHeart
http://www.ipwebdesign.net/kaelisSpace
-------------------------------------------------

In article ,
enlightened us with...
my wife and I have two indoor only cats (female and male, both fixed,
about 1 1/2 years old, healthy). We are going to have a baby early
next year and some of our friends keep telling us that cats and babies
don't mix. My wife is starting to wonder if we will have to give away
the kitties once the baby is born. Both our cats are very people
friendly (the tomcat in particular loves to interact with humans) both
to us and strangers alike and neither of them scratches or bites
(haven't had a single scratch in over a year). Should I expect
problems?


Many of us grew up with cats, including myself. You should not have to
surrender your cats just because you're having a child. However, you
will need to supervise the baby and the cats until the baby is old
enough to understand how to properly treat a pet. Expect to need to
supervise interaction until the child is at least 3 or 4, and even after
that, I wouldn't leave them unattended for long.

Babies grab and don't mean to hurt - the cat doesn't know why the baby
hurt it, but scratches or bites to get away. Some cats are far more
tolerant that others. Supervision is the best way to avoid that
situation.

Toddlers chase and just don't know when to leave the cat be. So have a
"safe space" for the cats - a room with a baby gate in the doorway
allows the cats to go somewhere the toddler can't follow. This also
allows you to put the food and litterbox where the toddler can't get
into them.

As your baby grows and can understand, make sure you teach him or her to
respect the cats and love the cats, and you'll have a very happy
household. Don't forget to still pay attention to your kitties! Make
playtime with your baby and your cats together a part of your day to
teach your cats to love and be tolerant of your child as well as teach
your child how to interact with your cats.

Congrats on the new baby.

-------------------------------------------------
~kaeli~
Hey, if you got it flaunt it! If you don't, stare
at someone who does. Just don't lick the TV screen,
it leaves streaks.
http://www.ipwebdesign.net/wildAtHeart
http://www.ipwebdesign.net/kaelisSpace
-------------------------------------------------

In article ,
enlightened us with...
my wife and I have two indoor only cats (female and male, both fixed,
about 1 1/2 years old, healthy). We are going to have a baby early
next year and some of our friends keep telling us that cats and babies
don't mix. My wife is starting to wonder if we will have to give away
the kitties once the baby is born. Both our cats are very people
friendly (the tomcat in particular loves to interact with humans) both
to us and strangers alike and neither of them scratches or bites
(haven't had a single scratch in over a year). Should I expect
problems?


Many of us grew up with cats, including myself. You should not have to
surrender your cats just because you're having a child. However, you
will need to supervise the baby and the cats until the baby is old
enough to understand how to properly treat a pet. Expect to need to
supervise interaction until the child is at least 3 or 4, and even after
that, I wouldn't leave them unattended for long.

Babies grab and don't mean to hurt - the cat doesn't know why the baby
hurt it, but scratches or bites to get away. Some cats are far more
tolerant that others. Supervision is the best way to avoid that
situation.

Toddlers chase and just don't know when to leave the cat be. So have a
"safe space" for the cats - a room with a baby gate in the doorway
allows the cats to go somewhere the toddler can't follow. This also
allows you to put the food and litterbox where the toddler can't get
into them.

As your baby grows and can understand, make sure you teach him or her to
respect the cats and love the cats, and you'll have a very happy
household. Don't forget to still pay attention to your kitties! Make
playtime with your baby and your cats together a part of your day to
teach your cats to love and be tolerant of your child as well as teach
your child how to interact with your cats.

Congrats on the new baby.

-------------------------------------------------
~kaeli~
Hey, if you got it flaunt it! If you don't, stare
at someone who does. Just don't lick the TV screen,
it leaves streaks.
http://www.ipwebdesign.net/wildAtHeart
http://www.ipwebdesign.net/kaelisSpace
-------------------------------------------------