How to Purr-fectly Introduce Your Baby to Your Cats

Cats offer a spectacular and delightful companionship. Who doesn’t love an appropriate size of a warm, fuzzy (or fluffy?) four-legged feline? We all do, even your little ones! These domestic creatures can live both indoors and outdoors. They are widely popular in our country. Most of us have them in our homes before getting married or welcoming a newborn. As parents or soon-to-be parents, you can’t help but wonder, is it safe to have a cat around the house especially when having a newborn? Yes. What about having more than just one cat at home? No problem. Are they dangerous? Definitely not, but you have to supervise their interactions. You might be surprised to find out that cats can help with child development and it is actually better to raise your baby with a pet at home. Besides helping build their immunity against developing allergies or asthma, having your child grow up as animal lovers will make them more empathetic adults in the future. Recently, we discovered a TikTok video (see below), where a total of four felines are welcoming and guarding a cutie in a baby bouncer. This warmth interaction was shared by a TikTok user @Massieww, gaining over 300,000 views and 60,000 likes. Another user @Kakdeq also shared the similar interactions of her cat with her newborn baby gaining positive reviews with overwhelming responses on TikTok. https://www.tiktok.com/@massiew2/video/7047537877152058650?is_from_webapp1&sender_devicepc&web_id7067751728649307650 https://www.tiktok.com/@norainoadeq/video/7060023955301698843?is_from_webapp1&sender_devicepc&web_id7067751728649307650 @Massieww also shared an additional video of one of her cats gently trying to move the baby in her bouncer—this is probably one of the cutest feline interactions we have ever seen! Are you ready to introduce your cat to your baby? Here are a few things you should know when introducing your cat to your baby. https://www.tiktok.com/@massiew2/video/7057152142263553307?is_from_webapp1&sender_devicepc&web_id7067751728649307650 When introducing both parties for the first time, get your cats to come to you and let them sniff your baby. This will help cats to recognise that there is an additional family member in your home. Avoid placing your baby directly to your cats and please prevent a forced introduction between the them at all costs. Just like your newborn baby, please ensure that your cats are clean too whenever there is a close interaction between these two cuties. Cats are actually very good with babies. When bringing home a baby, your cats want to understand that they can co-exist with your baby. In fact, it is so much easier and seamless to introduce a newborn baby rather than to another cat. Addressing their curiosities are simple. Other than getting your cats to sniff your baby for the first time, let them know about your baby products such as diapers, baby lotion and even shampoo. Let them watch while you bathe your baby, change your baby's diaper or put your baby to sleep. Image credit: @faizaljunior Instagram account / @Massieww TikTok account Create a safe space for your baby where cats are off limits if you are unable to supervise both parties. This will be comforting to know that while your baby is sleeping or playing by himself, your cats won't be able to disturb them. Enforcing a rule where cats are not allowed to climb up into the baby’s crib will help them understand that they can feel well-adjusted with a newborn at home. Show your cats some love on how to bond with your baby during play time or nap time. A lot of interactions with your baby can be done in the eyes of your cats so that both parties know they are equally important part of your family. When your baby grows up, teach them kindness and respect for your cats at home—it will bring so much joy for the whole family. For more insightful stories and fun recipes, stay tuned to Motherhood Story!

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