For some time now (a month, two... a year) a furry miracle named Vaska, or some kind of Caserol, has been living in your house, why not, we love to come up with funny nicknames for pets. For example, a hamster named Apocalypse, or a bulldog named Bartholomew. And this miracle became so beloved that, it would seem, you live in perfect harmony and never part.
But the test shows two lines, and if for the first couple of months we don’t notice anything because of wild delight, then unpleasant thoughts come to our minds. What should you do with the cat? And my first thoughts are usually: I’ll give it to my parents, a friend, to a shelter, or take it out onto the street. But is this the way out? Is it worth parting with your pet because of the arrival of a baby in the family? How will this affect the child and should I be concerned?
What scares us
In fact, our worries are not groundless, but before you decide to say goodbye to your beloved animal, read the article to the end.
Our very first fear is pain. Some animals, especially cats, due to the characteristics of hunters, can be carriers of various kinds of diseases.
The main thing is not to be alarmed, this mainly applies to those cats who were picked up from the street, who constantly walk anywhere, they collect all the bacteria when catching rats, through dirty soil, from other animals, and also from eating raw meat. Those who only have cats at home and have vaccinations are not in danger, except that allergies or the bad character of the animal will be the biggest problem.
If you hear the words of relatives, friends, or read rumors that having an animal, especially cats, during your pregnancy and especially after childbirth is dangerous due to toxoplasmosis, then first let’s figure out what it is...
Toxoplasmosis is an infectious disease, its development is associated with the entry of the Toxoplasma parasite into the blood. Most often, the disease passes without symptoms. And one of the reasons for infection may be communication with infected animals. In turn, the animal becomes infected either through other infected people (rats, street cats), or through feeding on raw meat or eggs.
But if you have the idea that you can only become infected through animals, this is wrong. A person is also at risk by eating raw or poorly processed foods, dealing with dirty soil, and birds. This is a reason to conclude that the problem will not only lie with the animal. As a rule, you can become infected from a cat only in the first 2-3 weeks of the disease.
As for animals that are not allowed outside, the risk of infection is very small, and it depends on what the pet is fed and whether it is allowed to communicate with other animals at close range.
In addition to Toxoplasmosis, manifestations of the presence of harmful bacteria in a cat are possible, such as lichen, cat scratch disease, and helminthiases. These are fairly common diseases.
As for allergies , everything is a little more complicated. Here you can’t change the cat’s diet, and you can’t lock him at home with lots of vaccinations. A child either has an allergy or does not. And you should not believe the words of breeders that there are non-allergenic breeds, this is used as a marketing ploy. The allergy may not manifest itself upon first contact, this is worth knowing.
And this is the case when you can justify your decision to find another home for the cat, but not to get rid of it or take it away, but to find a good owner. Yes, the second requires time, which will decrease with the advent of a child, but by throwing cats anywhere, you betray him, thereby destroying his faith in love. In addition, as you know, cats get used not to people, but to their place of residence, and this will be a huge stress for him. It will be the most difficult for domesticated cats to adapt to the street; they do not catch rats, do not know how to hide from bad weather, do not know what a car is and whether they should be afraid of it. And spending a little time for the sake of a happy life for a child is quite possible.
Animals in the house where the baby is born, in principle, have a positive effect on the environment. Dangerous moments are minimized if the cat is healthy and has no allergies. Most often, in this case, worries arise in those whose pet has a bad character. But for this there is no reason to look for another home for him. After all, there are many places that even send trainers to your home and can help curb the bad behavior of your four-legged friend.
Thus, if your furry pet is domesticated, does not wander anywhere, is calm and you constantly give it all the necessary medications, then it is unlikely that this will have a bad effect on your child (only if the baby is not allergic). Quite the opposite is positive. And making their coexistence pleasant is quite possible.
The family is expecting a new addition, but the cat doesn’t know...
A fairly common situation is when a young family first gets pets and later thinks about children. Or they buy a pet for older children, and later wait for a new addition.
There will be no difficulties if, in addition to traditional preparations for the appearance of a new member of the family, the mustachioed and striped one is also prepared for this event. It is worth noting that cats are more demanding animals than dogs and most often have difficulty adapting to any changes. To prevent your pet from experiencing stress and showing negative emotions, you can do the following:
- let the cat periodically listen to a recording of a baby crying;
- before playing or interacting with your pet, you can apply baby cream or lotion to your hands; the pet will associate the new scent with pleasant moments;
- You shouldn’t wait until the last minute to decorate the nursery; it is advisable for the cat to get acquainted with new things in advance;
- and yes, cats and cats also love comfort, so many of them try to sleep in cribs and strollers; such attempts should be stopped immediately, even when the baby is not yet there, and the sleeping places should be equipped with curtains;
- You shouldn’t place furniture and children’s supplies where your pet’s place was; he definitely won’t like it and may cause a protest.
Naturally, the pet will immediately feel that changes are coming, but if everything is done correctly, the pet will be positively disposed towards them.
Life with a cat is a happy home
Cats, of course, are not dogs that wag their tails and lick everyone. Cats have a temper, but if they love their family, then this love is unique.
A cat in the house has a positive effect on the development of the baby and his upbringing. According to psychologists, communication with a furry friend helps a child become more responsible and friendly. In addition, children who grew up with animals from infancy are most often very kind. But if your home doesn’t yet have an animal under 3 years old, don’t rush to buy one. But if you have already managed to get a kitten, then remember that he and his relationship with the baby will require attention.
There is no need to worry about the cleanliness of the house until it is sparkling. It is quite enough to pay a little more attention than usual to cleaning the tray with gloves, changing the filler more often, washing the bowl and changing the water in it every day, washing your hands and not giving the cat raw meat. For those who are worried about the cat's shedding, they now offer to shave the cat, this is very convenient, since for 1.5 months you do not need to vacuum up a bunch of fur every day.
Building relationships
The baby was brought home. And the first thing the cat sees is not the envelope in its hands, but the owner. The happiness of having treats in the house, three meals a day and affection for the cat at this moment is like a pink veil before the eyes. And then he hears it... the cry of a baby. And here the cat becomes alert, hisses and rolls back.
Young parents make the mistake of immediately mistaking this for hostile behavior and no longer allow the cat near the baby. In fact, this is a completely understandable reaction, since cats react very strongly to noise and are distrustful of everything new. Besides, they are very curious. Hissing is more of a defensive reaction in this case than a manifestation of unfriendliness.
And after 10 minutes you can already see the picture of the “fluffy” one carefully approaching the baby. This is where the defensive reaction kicks in, not from the cat, but from the parents. And they try to hide their little bundle as far as possible from the clawed paws. But it's not right. In this situation, the cat is interested in understanding what is in the diaper and whether it poses a threat. And slowly creeping up, they are only worried about what will happen to them.
Cats have a genuine interest in everything new until he is sure of his safety or until this item becomes commonplace for him. Therefore, you should not drive the cat away from the child. On the contrary, it is worth allowing the cat to approach the baby under close supervision. And smell it. Thus, he makes sure that this lump does not pose a threat to him.
If you initially treated the cat as a “child,” then during pregnancy it is time to prepare the cat for the fact that less time will be spent on him, otherwise a sharp decrease in care may cause jealousy. If the attachment to the expectant mother is stronger than to the others, it is worth establishing relationships with the cat among other family members. It is worth teaching your cat to be independent.
Cats often exhibit a maternal instinct towards children. They come to the defense if the child cries, teach him to go to the potty, and help very young children develop a grasping reflex. Cats can also be protective. Become a child's friend.
Tips for those who have a cat and a baby in the house
- First of all, before the baby is born, take your cat to see a veterinarian. Let him be examined, given all the necessary vaccinations, and wormed. If you are not offered to take all the tests, ask for it yourself.
- If you were planning castration or sterilization, then you should do this also before the birth of the child. The first couple of days the cat may behave aggressively, but then they become more affectionate and pliable as problematic sexual behavior disappears.
- Buy your cat more toys and a claw sharpener. Get into the habit of trimming your cat's nails every couple of weeks. If fur falls off, take him for a haircut.
- You can invite friends with children to visit in advance so that the cat remembers what the children look like and their behavior. Accustom your cat to the sounds of rattles and squeaks.
- Find a way to wean your cat off its curiosity about the baby's crib before the baby is born. For example, cans, tape and anything that will scare the cat away from this place.
- Cats understand a calm, conversational tone well. Therefore, talk to them more often about the child, mention the name.
- When you come home from the maternity hospital, take some time to pet your cat and feed him something tasty. Let him feel that you have not forgotten about him
- Give the cat a chance to get used to the new family member. Surely the cat will want to sniff the child, let him do it. If he doesn’t show any desire, then don’t force him to sit next to the child. A cat is not a dog; it will not do what you want. Perhaps her curiosity will awaken later.
- Be alone with your cat sometimes, don’t miss those favorite cat activities that you used to do together.
- Don't forget about the baby's safety. Monitor the presence of the child and the cat together. Teach your child how to properly handle animals as they grow older.
- Do not yell at the cat under any circumstances, even if it accidentally scratched the child. Cats forget the offense after a while and may simply not associate your scolding with what he usually does. In addition, screaming causes a negative reaction in cats, and it can unexpectedly annoy you, even if this has not happened before. Talk calmly, explain to him that he can’t do that. But next time, watch their communication more carefully and don’t allow this to happen. It’s not easy to do, but it’s worth trying and everything will work out.
- A cat has a good effect on a child’s development, for example, teach a child to go potty when the cat goes to his litter box. Feed the cat together.
- Don't worry that the cat might suffocate your baby in the crib. It's just a myth. Cats love warmth, and the desire to climb into the baby’s bed is connected only with finding a warm place. In some cases, this is how cats protect the baby.
- The toys of a child and a cat should be different. This is not only a rule of hygiene, but also will not cause problems in the future when the baby wants to play with everything. Therefore, you need to immediately accustom your child to the fact that their play objects are different.
- The cat must have his own place. You shouldn’t put your baby’s crib where the cat used to like to sleep.
- Be prepared for the fact that the cat may wake your baby. This is especially noticeable in those pets who like to wander around at night. Don't yell at the animal.
In any case, it is quite possible to improve the relationship between a cat and a child, as well as living together. And do not forget the words of Dr. Komarovsky that a child has ideal immunity from birth, and instead of placing him in sterile conditions, you need to train and strengthen this immunity. As a last resort, no one forbids you to move the cat into the next room.
The life of a cat and a child is very exciting and full of funny moments!
How to prepare a cat for a baby's home
There are several points that will help your cat go from being the only pet to a family with a new baby.
These items may include the following rules:
Take health precautions
As a cat owner, you may have heard of toxoplasmosis. Toxoplasmosis is a parasite that can be transmitted from cats to humans. It can also be passed from mother to unborn baby.
This parasite causes many diseases in the unborn child, such as blindness, deafness or hydrocephalus.
To prevent the spread of this parasite from cat to person, avoid stray cats and keep your cat indoors.
Be sure to wear gloves when working with your cat's litter box, litter bins, or gardening.
Make gradual changes
When preparing a home for a newborn, it is important to spend a lot of time with your cat, preparing her for life with a baby.
Check weighing
To ensure that kittens are getting enough food and are gaining weight well, you should weigh them daily in the first week of life and at least twice a week for the first month - we recommend keeping a weight gain diary. It is convenient to use electronic kitchen scales for weighing.
The weekly increase should be about 100 grams. By the age of two weeks, healthy kittens should certainly double their original weight. Contact a professional if you suspect your kittens are not gaining weight well. Signs of malnutrition can also include constant squeaking, restlessness, and poor sleep.
Breed description, standards, appearance
British cats are massive animals, not without agility and grace.
Their calling card is their thick, plush coat and full, rounded cheeks. The breed standard was formed back in the 19th century and has remained virtually unchanged since then.
Dimensions and weight
British cats are medium to large in size. They have pronounced sexual dimorphism, so males are noticeably larger and heavier than females.
A British breed cat weighs between 3.5-6.5 kg. The cat's weight reaches 5.5-9 kg.
Anatomical characteristics
A typical representative of the breed should look consistent with the official description. The British Shorthair cat ideally has the following characteristics:
- The head is large, rounded with full cheeks and a weakly defined but noticeable stop. The nose is short and straight. The lobe forms a vertical line with the chin.
- The ears are neat, small, low set. Wide at the base, with rounded tips.
- The eyes are large and expressive. They have a rounded shape and wide set. Heterochromia is common in white British cats. Chinchilla-colored individuals come with lavender, green and blue eyes. The rest of the British people have orange irises.
- The body is massive, powerful with a deep chest, short muscular back and broad shoulders.
- The limbs are short, smooth, with rounded paws and strong, tight-fitting toes.
- The tail is thick, wide at the base, with a rounded tip. Moderately long.
Color and coat type
British cats are covered with short, elastic, dense fur that feels like plush. A thick undercoat is hidden under the shiny awn. The standard allows for several dozen variations in the color of British cats.
The most common colors found in the breed are:
- Plain (solid). This color of British cats implies a uniform color without any markings or spots. Rare solid colors include fawn and cinnamon. Particularly popular are gray (blue), beige, red, brown (chocolate), lilac, black and white British cats.
- Tortoiseshell. This color variant of British cats is a uniform combination of spots. It is unique to females. It is desirable for a British tortoiseshell cat's face to have a cream or red tint.
- Smoky. This coloring implies a contrast between the lightest possible undercoat and the darkest hair. It is most intense on the head, back and paws of the Briton.
- Bicolor. There are clearly defined white areas on the main background.
- Color point. This color of British cats is very similar to the Siamese. It has a combination of a white base color and red, chocolate or black markings.
- Tabby. Symmetrical spots and stripes are evenly distributed throughout the body of these British cats. That's why they are often compared to small tigers or leopards. The color is also called spotted, marbled or striped. On the forehead of a British cat of this color there is always a mark in the form of the letter “M”. The tabby color is characterized by spots on the belly, continuous rings on the chest and clear lines along the spine. This Briton has a striped tail and sides.
Possible breed defects
Exterior defects in the presence of which a British Shorthair cat may be recognized as not meeting the official standard:
- creases on the tail;
- eye color that does not harmonize with coat color;
- fuzzy jaw lines;
- extended body;
- polydactyly.
Siamese
Siamese are called dogs in cats' skin. This breed has an interesting feature - its voice: Siamese are able to change the pitch and tone of sound due to the structure of the vocal cords. They need physical contact, so they are sociable and playful.
This is a good friend for children, because the Siamese cat can be trained, it loves active movements and bustle. If a Siamese takes a child under his wing, he will protect and love him until the end of his days.
The Siamese have no equal in their ability to achieve their goals, even the most mischievous ones. They love to jump and move around on top, so a play area with high platforms should be made for them in the apartment.
It is believed that Siamese cats are vindictive and take revenge for insults, but this is a myth, because excellent long-term memory is characteristic of all cats: they are able to remember throughout their lives what impressed them.
A short-haired Siamese only needs to be brushed occasionally; it can be taught to swim from childhood - these cats love to swim in warm water.
Long-haired varieties of Siamese are the Balinese and Burmese cats.
Are cats dangerous for children?
There are people who are absolutely sure: cats are dangerous for children. What if you have an allergy? What if there are worms? What if there are fleas?
But if allergies can really become a problem (you can’t guess here), then other risks are exaggerated.
If the cat is domestic and its health is monitored (regular vaccinations and treatment against parasites are carried out, they are taken to a veterinarian for examinations, they do not practice self-walking and do not allow the cat to dig in the trash can), it does not pose a threat to the child’s health and there are no restrictions on the child’s communication with no cat. Exception: scratches, but we will talk about them below.
Description of the breed
The British head has a round, regular shape with pronounced rump or cheeks. The nose is short, but smooth and wide. The ears are small, there are two types - slightly rounded, widely spaced and drooping at the tips to the bottom - fold-eared breed. Both types of ears have a wide base. The eyes are quite large, round in shape, widely set, the color is mostly rich golden.
The body of purebred British is muscular, with a wide chest and back, the animal is quite strong and agile. The tail is of medium size in thickness and length; it cannot be called thin and long. In terms of weight category, adult cats are somewhat heavier than cats: males weigh about 5-8 kg, females are smaller - from 4 to 6 kg.
Based on the type of coat, they are distinguished: long-haired and short-haired, but both types have an average length, there is no very noticeable difference - some have wool that is fluffier and longer, smooth, without curls, while others have short, straight, denser hair.
The coat color is even and uniform throughout the body. There are more than thirty varieties of color variations: red, white, gray, cream, black, combining several shades (gray, pink and gray), marble, gray-blue.
The character of the British is characterized by waywardness, partly even touchiness; they are proud and independent.
