How To Prepare Your Cat For Your New Born Baby

It may seem like your pregnancy will go on forever, but your new baby will come before you know it. In the meantime, take advantage of the long wait to prepare everything and everyone, including your cat, as best you can for the changes ahead. A little advance planning now will make it easier to relax and enjoy your pregnancy.

Many cats can be jealous of newborn babies. It’s really important that you take action before the arrival of your baby and find out how to stop this behavior at its beginning. This way not only will you be in control over your cat’s reaction while you’re pregnant, but you’ll also have set the right foundation for when your baby will arrive, thus minimizing any jealous reaction!

Make sure that you give your cat the time to get used to the changes. The best way to achieve this is by setting up your baby’s furniture as early as possible and making the room undesirable by placing double-sided sticky tape on the surfaces, including the crib so your kitty doesn’t try to sleep in it.

If the baby’s room used to be your cat’s room, then gradually move the litterbox and the rest of his stuff to the new location. He might need some time to claim this new territory while he disconnects from his old room, so be patient.

In order for your cat to get used to the new member of the family, you can play videos or sounds of babies, on youtube. If it is possible you can invite some friends with kids to your house, so that your cat will have first contact with these little humans.

Finally, you have to gradually adjust your cat’s routine according to the schedule of the new parent. Feeding routine, grooming and playing sessions should be adjusted a few months before the arrival of the baby so that your cat won’t associate them with the baby, which can greatly reduce his jealousy.

Don’t forget to use positive reinforcement by giving your cat a treat anytime he listens to your instructions, to make your work easier.

How did your cat react to your baby’s arrival? Share with us in the comments below anything you did to prepare the house and your cat for the new member…

Photoshoot: Sunsetoned