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New Post! Apr 17, 2008 @ 06:02:03#1
lesfox719

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24/F/Bowling Green, Kentucky
Join Date: Nov 2007

We have two crazy cats, and they are a lot of fun. Great entertainment 24/7 not to mention pretty good little buddies when they are calm. I love them dearly, and this makes me feel like a jackass. I feel like a jacka** because a few weeks ago I found out I was pregnant. I really want to keep them, but with a new baby it seems improbable.

For one, they are too friendly. I worry that when this baby is born they will try to get in the bed with it.

Two, they have bad litter box manners and its a constant struggle to clean up after them. They throw poop everywhere, which is dangerous not only to a baby but also to a pregnant woman.

Third, they are unfortunatey terrible scratchers, anything that wiggles, they pounce it. Not cool with a newborn.

Our apartment is very small (at least for four people, 2 cats, and a dog), so I can't really section them off from one part or another. I hate to get rid of them, but its just not an appropriate time to have them.

Any ideas? What would you do in this situation?


lesfox719 last visited June 11, 2008
New Post! Apr 17, 2008 @ 06:07:26#2
el_tino
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28/M/Las Cruces, New Mexico
Join Date: Oct 2004

Well I don't know about keeping them away from a baby, but you could declaw them to prevent the scratching. If they're only indoor cats they should need the claws anyway.

As for the poop, be sure not to handle it yourself while pregnant... I don't know how close you have to get for there to be problems. You might ask a vet or something how to train them better or for more information about that.


el_tino last visited September 06, 2008
New Post! Apr 17, 2008 @ 06:20:10#3
monkeymadness

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24/M/Big Tree, United Kingdom
Join Date: Aug 2006

You need to get them house trained, and think about some sort of netting over the babys bed, like mosquito net or something to keep the cats out, as for the wiggles and them pouncing, it shouldnt be too much of a problem if you de claw them like tino said (then watch them try and climb the curtains )

monkeymadness last visited September 05, 2008
New Post! Apr 17, 2008 @ 06:29:50#4
magically_delicious

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23/F/29 palms, California
Join Date: Oct 2007

ooh, I wouldn't declaw. You can buy clippers made for cat nails and they work wonderfully. The mosquito netting will work too, as will covered litter boxes and matts to keep the poo in. Get some kitty furniture, like a tall cat tree and they will be more entertained.

magically_delicious last visited September 05, 2008
New Post! Apr 17, 2008 @ 06:39:04#5
monkeymadness

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24/M/Big Tree, United Kingdom
Join Date: Aug 2006

Just read up on declawing....dont do it

monkeymadness last visited September 05, 2008
New Post! Apr 17, 2008 @ 06:39:32#6
monkeymadness

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24/M/Big Tree, United Kingdom
Join Date: Aug 2006

Here is why link [www.pawproject.com]

monkeymadness last visited September 05, 2008
New Post! Apr 17, 2008 @ 06:51:06#7
harrys_mom

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31/F/San Diego, California
Join Date: Apr 2008

My cats wear something called "soft paws". They are clear rubbery "slip covers" for their claws, which are totally humane, and fall off in 4-6 weeks. Just google search "soft paws" and you can find more info about it. It's a wonderful alternative to declawing.

The main risk with cats for pregnant women is Toxoplasmosis. If your cats are indoor cats, the likelihood of them picking up this parasite is low, and as long as you have someone else (like your DH/BF) clean the litterbox, it shouldn't be such a big deal. (You don't have mice or rats do you? Because cats usually pick up Toxo from rodents, outdoors).


"Thousands of years ago, cats were worshipped as gods. Cats have never forgotten this." - Anonymous

harrys_mom last visited April 25, 2008
New Post! Apr 17, 2008 @ 07:01:10#8
magically_delicious

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23/F/29 palms, California
Join Date: Oct 2007

My cats have worn soft paws before, and I like them a lot. I still just clip though, it's just as effective and they can kinda still climb up stuff haha.

The toxoplasmosis is a big deal, definitely have someone else clean the litter box and keep the kitties indoors.

magically_delicious last visited September 05, 2008
New Post! Apr 17, 2008 @ 07:41:17#9
el_tino
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28/M/Las Cruces, New Mexico
Join Date: Oct 2004

magically_delicious said:
ooh, I wouldn't declaw. You can buy clippers made for cat nails and they work wonderfully. The mosquito netting will work too, as will covered litter boxes and matts to keep the poo in. Get some kitty furniture, like a tall cat tree and they will be more entertained.


I always thought clipping the nails and declawing was the same thing I didn't know there was actual surgery to take claws out!

So yeah, you could clip their claws for a while if you need to but don't take them out completely!


el_tino last visited September 06, 2008
New Post! Apr 17, 2008 @ 07:47:07#10
treebee
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38/F/Escaped!!!, United Kingdom
Join Date: Oct 2005

I had a cat when i was pregnant and sure enough as soon as the crib came out the cat thought it was for her

It was kinda sad in a way because she had been the baby, up until the baby came. But she soon realised the baby lived in the crib and car seat and bouncer and whatever.

At first i put a net over the crib at night but she never went near the baby, probably because the baby was so noisy

So it might be worth putting in a little time with the toilet training of the cats and looking at alternatives, i saw at my pet shop a device where you can actually get the cat to go poop in the toilet

See how it goes.


link [www.thebreastcancersite.com] Please click to save a life
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treebee last visited September 05, 2008
New Post! Apr 17, 2008 @ 07:52:22#11
el_tino
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28/M/Las Cruces, New Mexico
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treebee said:

At first i put a net over the crib at night but she never went near the baby, probably because the baby was so noisy


In my experience, cats hate children and want to be as far away from them as possible.


el_tino last visited September 06, 2008
Edited: April 17, 2008 @ 07:52
New Post! Apr 17, 2008 @ 08:10:29#12
monkeymadness

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24/M/Big Tree, United Kingdom
Join Date: Aug 2006

el_tino said:
In my experience, cats hate children and want to be as far away from them as possible.


once the baby starts to grab and pull its tail...
monkeymadness last visited September 05, 2008
New Post! Apr 17, 2008 @ 17:35:07#13
lesfox719

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24/F/Bowling Green, Kentucky
Join Date: Nov 2007

el_tino said:
In my experience, cats hate children and want to be as far away from them as possible.


Nah, our cats sit on the side of the tub while my son (who is 22 months) takes a bath. LOL. They are so weird.


lesfox719 last visited June 11, 2008
New Post! May 09, 2008 @ 00:42:11#14
klr

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55/F/Edmonton, Canada
Join Date: May 2008

adult cats with a new born might be hard to handle

klr last visited May 25, 2008
New Post! May 31, 2008 @ 02:28:59#15
carmen716

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55/NA/Uxbridge, Massachusetts
Join Date: May 2008

I seriously doubt your cats will bother your baby. They will just want to sniff him/her when you bring baby home. With all the moving and noises from baby, the cats will keep their distance. I've had the pleasure of having cats my entire life and when I brought my baby girl home from the hospital and put her in her bassinet, my long time spoiled kitty stood up with his paws on the side of the bassinet and peered in at her. He never hurt her, scratched her, jumped on her...they were best friends until he passed away at age 19 and my daughter was 13. I hope you decide to keep your cats with you. Best of luck in whatever you decide.

carmen716 last visited June 05, 2008
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