Introducing New Baby to Cat and Vice Versa

Cats in child-free homes are used to being the "baby" of the family, so when a new little one arrives, the change in household dynamics is often traumatic.

Make the transition as smooth as possible by following a few simple steps. First, introduce your cat to the baby's scent before introducing the actual baby (give them one of the baby's blankets, or a worn onesie). When baby arrives home for the first time, have a friend take the child into another room while mom and dad shower attention on the cat. Next, encourage your pet to sit beside the two of you; rewarding the cat with treats when it behaves appropriately (this will show the cat and the baby that both are an important part of the family), and gently letting it know when it misbehaves. Also, don't hold the cat down or force it to interact, and be sure to give your cat individual attention every day.

The transition will be even easier if the cat is prepared ahead of time. Set-up baby furniture and other items as early as possible, and set-up a special "baby-free zone" for the cat (note: the baby's room should be a cat-free zone). Finally, when the child starts crawling and growing curious about the cat, make sure he or she is always gentle.

Article by Dr. Jeff Werber, DVM