Need Help Getting My 2 Cats to Adjust to the Baby

When my twins were born we left blankets they had slept in on the floor for our cats and dogs to investigate and to get accustom to their scent. Also we place the twins in the car seat carriers, set them on the floor, sat next to them and then let the animals investigate them. Thankfully we did not have any issues, but some pets are more "sensitive" than others and yours may just need a little more time or some extra attention (I know that can be hard w/ a newborn)
Best of luck!
Also we put a screen door on their bedroom, so the animals could not get in but we could still hear and check on them w/out having to open the door.

OH WOW! I am a pet lover and could never do that so I really hope you can fix this so you can keep your cats. I would call the vet and ask what you can do. I bet they will have an answer for you.

When my son was born I had 2 cats and a dog. After about a year I sent one of the cats to live with my mom because it was just too much to take care of. My cats were jealous and so was the dog (mostly the dog) but they just finally got over it. They never soiled the bed or anything but you could tell they were jealous....sometimes still a little jealous. Just try and set aside some time just for them. You might just have to lock them up in a bathroom with their litter box and let them comeout for only a little bit during the day until they get used to the baby. If the baby cries really loud and/or a lot they may just be scared. Locking them up might just make it worse though.

Good Luck!

S.,

I had the same problem and still do... I have a 7 year old female cat and a 5 year old male cat... Both were perfect in everyway... The female was not much into socializing with anyone other than me and my other cat.. Since we had our children, our female cat has continued to urinate everywhere but the litter box.... Now I have a 4 and a 5 year old... I have done nothing but beg and plea with my husband because I love her.. She has never gotten over the adjustment and if she hasn't by now she never will... I am constantly cleaning up after her, but we will be getting rid of her soon.. I can't take it anymore.. She use to just urinate in the utility room next to the washer, but now she has began urinating on the furniture and once on our bed.. I have no idea what we have done differently for her to began doing it on the furniture, but that is where I draw the line... So if anyone knows someone who would like an older fixed female cat who has no children please let me know... I would prefer giving her to a house rather than the shelter... Take care and good luck...

No experience with cats, but my dog became an outside dog because of this. A friend had to give her cat away because he jumped on her baby, started at the head, and scratched his way down the baby's back. At that point, at least, getting rid of it was easier on the emotions.

S.

well cats are very much like people and they get jealous.If the cats are used to sleeping on the bed and now the baby is spending time on the bed they are jealous and are trying to mark their territory.I no it may sound silly but I have a cat and a new baby(6 weeks old) and my cat is very jealous.I would not reccommend give your cats to a shelter because regardless of what they say the is not much demand for cats and there are way to many strays to find homes for them all.They would likely be put down.I worked for a vet for 2 years and at pets plus for a year and watched many cats meet this fate.Theymat tell you they wont do it but they will.They will just take them to the vet to have it done.Not always but a lot of the time.I would wait and see what happens oyur cats may except the baby soon as part of the family.But if not or you think in any way they might hurt the baby(if they hiss at him or growl when he is near) take them to walmart I garentee you will find them a home and pretty quick to.I help a friend a couple of years ago get rid of 2 cats and a dog it took 2 hours.and the cats went to the same home.She offered a cat carrier and some cat food if they wiuld take both and they did.I hope this helped.

S.,

Find a loving home for the cats. There should be an agency in your area that will place your animals with an elderly person in need of companionship. Your cats are probably too old and set in their ways to adjust to a new baby, plus all of the energy you put into wanting them to adjust takes time away from your new baby and your husband. I know its hard to think about letting them go, but if you can find the right situation for them, it's probably best all around.