Preparing cats for baby?

I have 4 cats and a baby on the way in about 3 months.

Is there any way I can make the transition for them as smooth as possible? Anything you ladies have done? My cats are my world and I just want everyone to be happy and adjust well to the big change!

Preparing cats for baby?

When we set up the crib, changing table, swing etc, we did it before baby came home to get them acclimated to them and to have time to teach them to stay out/off certain things. All our cats adjusted well to DD1 coming home. We also made sure that they were getting affection and love too, even when one of us was holding DD1, we would still pay attention to our kitties. Our youngest cat used to sleep underneath the swing, like her own little guardian.

Re: Preparing cats for baby?

I have been doing the same as the PP. Trying to get everything ready slowly and well in advance, so it's not a big shock. Also, I put one of my kitty's favorite blankets under the crib, and she likes to sleep on it. I just wanted her to know that it was ok that she was in the room and the baby is not replacing her (I am a little crazy about the cat!!). If you are changing anything (we had to change the room the litter is in), I would do it well in advance, so the cats dont associate change with the baby. I also plan on having DH bring home something with the babys smell while im still in the hospital.

Re: Preparing cats for baby?

Thank you both! I'm 25 weeks now and my DH is just about finished emptying out the nursery. The nursery is a big hangout spot for them .. their litter is in there.. it gets great sun squares.. Right now we're on track to paint/recarpet in June and the furniture will arrive (hopefully!) mid July. For an end of August due date (though of course the baby may come earlier) does this sound like a good timeline?

I'm glad I asked about this in advance and that I'm not the only crazy one who thinks of these things! It's so important to me that everyone is happy when my comes home and I know how finicky cats can be with change.

Re: Preparing cats for baby?

It sounds like we are on almost the same timeline! I am 31 weeks and just got the furniture for the nursery. I had the same issue where my cat loves to hang out in that room. I moved the litter box probably 2 months ago and she was fine with it thank goodness!

You are not crazy at all! Well if you are, I am too haha. I refer to my cat as the big sister, and have even been overheard telling her that she is going to have to share her room with her little sister

Re: Preparing cats for baby?

Posted by Jbon630

It sounds like we are on almost the same timeline! I am 31 weeks and just got the furniture for the nursery. I had the same issue where my cat loves to hang out in that room. I moved the litter box probably 2 months ago and she was fine with it thank goodness!

You are not crazy at all! Well if you are, I am too haha. I refer to my cat as the big sister, and have even been overheard telling her that she is going to have to share her room with her little sister

Re: Preparing cats for baby?

I also did what most of the other girls did prior to my now 19 month old's delivery. We set up the nursery and acclimated the cats to that and basically taught them what they could and couldn't do in there....When my was born, my husband took home a blanket that he used for the day and had the cats smell it and sleep with it. They took to it well. When my lil guy came home, we made sure to introduce the cats slowly and gave them lots of lovin too. They were great with him from the start and to this day, my male cat is like his protector. He still follows him every where and will lay with him. My son gets up on top of him like he's a horse and the poor cat wouldn't attack him or get upset. He takes all of the silly things my son does to him. Can't ask for better older siblings Best of luck to you...I'm sure all will go fine....enjoy the remainder of your pregnancy and feel well

Re: Preparing cats for baby?

Posted by Arissa444

I also did what most of the other girls did prior to my now 19 month old's delivery. We set up the nursery and acclimated the cats to that and basically taught them what they could and couldn't do in there....When my was born, my husband took home a blanket that he used for the day and had the cats smell it and sleep with it. They took to it well. When my lil guy came home, we made sure to introduce the cats slowly and gave them lots of lovin too. They were great with him from the start and to this day, my male cat is like his protector. He still follows him every where and will lay with him. My son gets up on top of him like he's a horse and the poor cat wouldn't attack him or get upset. He takes all of the silly things my son does to him. Can't ask for better older siblings Best of luck to you...I'm sure all will go fine....enjoy the remainder of your pregnancy and feel well

Re: Preparing cats for baby?

My cats are pretty chill.
What we did was have DH bring home a blanket that DD had been swaddled in the night before she came home.
He put it down and the cats came by and sniffed at it- we wanted them to get used to her scent.
Then when we brought her home, I made sure to greet them right away and give them lots of love and snuggles so they didn't feel forgotten.
We also put the infant carrier she was in down on the floor and let them check her out a bit. That lasted about 2 minutes until they realized she wasn't something they could eat or play with- then they lost interest!
They were totally fine after that- no acting out, nothing.
Cats are pretty adapatable!