Preparing your Cat for a Change in the Family

Baby

Cats and babies can be the best of friends. To help your cat prepare for the newest member of the family you should:

Set up the nursery as soon as possible. Let your cat explore the room during the process. Consider placing a motion detector in the crib to discourage him from claiming this cozy bed as hers.
Introduce your cat to the new scents that he will be living with once the baby is home by using some of the powders, soaps, and lotions you will use on your baby.
At least one month before the baby’s arrival, establish necessary changes in the cat’s routine. For example: Since cats like to cuddle, it is not advisable to allow the cat in the newborns room while the baby is sleeping, so now is the time to close the door and to teach your cat that this room is off limits.
To get your cat used to the sights and sounds of babies, invite friends with babies to visit or get an audiotape of a baby crying. Baby sounds may be the most frightening aspect of having a baby around from a cat’s perspective. Try to desensitize him gradually prior to the baby coming home.
Before bringing the newborn home, bring home an unwashed piece of her clothing for your cat to smell. Cats identify us primarily through their sense of smell, not sight.
Once the baby is home, try to keep your cats routine as close to normal as possible. This means regular meals times and play sessions. Praise her and give her attention when the baby is in the room so she will associate the new member of the family with good times, not competition for attention.

New Love

In many cases, once the apple of your eye comes into the picture, the cat is no longer the recipient of nearly all your attention while at home. She now has to wait until your new love is gone before she gets a pat on the head. Not only is this person a new smell and voice in the house, she has taken over some of your cat’s favorite resting spots. It is no wonder that your cat exhibits stress by urinating, hissing, or growling whenever your new love makes an appearance. Here’s how your new love can become friends with your cat:

Food – Have your new love feed your cat. She should remain in the room while your cat is eating. In the beginning, your new love should sit across the room and gradually move closer as your cat gets more comfortable with her.
Talking and staring – Your new love should not stare at your cat until your cat is comfortable with him. Your new love should also talk to your cat in soft, high tones.
Scent – Put a couple of your new loves shirts by your cat’s favorite sleeping areas. You might even consider wearing his jacket while you are petting or playing with your cat.
Approach – Let your cat approach your new love. Forcing your cat to confront your new love will only increase the level of your cat’s stress and convince your cat that your new love should be feared.
Playtime – Have your new love play with your cat with her favorite toys.

Separation from a Family Member

To ease your cat through a separation from a family member, especially if it’s your cat’s primary caretaker who is leaving, place an article of clothing with their scent on it in the cat’s bed. Keep the cat’s routine as consistent as possible and make sure you spend extra time with the cat giving love, attention, and its favorite treats.