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Kitty Corner

Keep your feline fine: Kerrie McKeon, Bideawee's Feline Behavior Coordinator shows you how!

Getting Kitty Ready for Baby

Many parents are concerned about how to introduce their cat to their baby. They wonder if the cat will be jealous of the new creature in the house and worry whether, intentional or not, that the cat might harm the baby. However, with just a small amount of planning, cats and babies can live together safely and peacefully!

How will my cat react to the baby?
Remember that no matter how much you plan ahead, the transition may be a bit rocky for you and your cat. Your cat was your first "child" and is used to being the center of attention. It is best to very gradually accustom your cat to spending less time with you; this will be much easier for your cat to accept than an abrupt decrease in attention after the baby comes home. If the cat is closest to the mother-to-be, another family member should make a concerted effort to strengthen the bond with the cat so that the cat still feels nurtured and loved. Once the baby arrives, some cats will show interest, even protectiveness, sometimes even lying at the mother's feet while she nurses. Other cats may not be bothered at all or may not even show interest.

How should I prepare?

1. Your cat should have a routine health exam at your veterinarian's office and all vaccinations should be up to date.

2. Your cat should be spayed/neutered. Sterilized cats are calmer and less likely to bite.

3. If your cat has any behavior problems-litter box issues, swiping, scratching, nipping, fearfulness, anxiety-see your veterinarian, who may recommend a behavior specialist if medical problems are ruled out.

4. Redirect your cat's natural hunting behavior, such as gentle nibbling and swiping, to "prey" toys such as feather teasers and laser pointers. Regular interactive play sessions should be made a part of your daily schedule. They need only be once a day, for about 15 to 20 minutes. Make sure that different family members take turns playing with her.

5. Get your cat used to regular nail trimming sessions! Invest in a good pair of cat nail clippers, as they will make this job much easier. Your local pet supply store will no doubt have several models, and the salespeople will be able to recommend what works best for them.

6. Get your cat used to all the new smells that will be in the house by sprinkling baby powder, baby oil, and diaper ointment on your skin.

7. If you have friends or family with an infant, have them bring the baby for a visit or two. Supervise all interactions.

8. Consider installing a screen door to the baby's room if it is to be off limits to the cat.

How about when the baby comes home?

1. Have your partner/spouse bring something with the smell of the baby, such as a blanket, home prior to baby's arrival, giving kitty the chance to sniff and investigate.

2. On the day baby comes home, make sure to give the cat a warm and soothing welcome, but be sure to not behave in an overexcited manner. Remember, cats love routine and an overly enthusiastic greeting may signal to the cat that something is amiss.

3. Over the course of the first day home, bring your cat to sit near you while you hold the baby, and reward good behavior with a delicious treat, so your cat associates something highly pleasurable with the baby.

4. Be sure to spend some one-on-one time with your cat every day. Even a 20 minute petting, grooming, and play session can make a huge difference in your cat's quality of life and subsequent behavior.

5. Remember that your cat was your first "child" and that cats never really get past their "child" stage of development. Giving them a little extra T.L.C. will keep them from feeling the need to "act-up" to get your attention!

About Kerrie McKeon, Feline Behavior Coordinator

Kerrie McKeon grew up in New Haven, CT with two loves: performing and cats. The former love (performing) took "center stage" early on and Kerrie graduated from Penn State with a degree in Theater Arts, then moved to Chicago, where she spent eight years working in theater. Eventually, the East Coast called her back and she came to New York, where the latter love (cats), a love that had never waned, inspired her to make a drastic career change and join the team at Bideawee.

Kerrie began her career at Bideawee in the Manhattan Adoption Center as an Associate and immediately impressed everyone—two-legged and four-legged alike - with her natural ability to communicate both with the cats and with potential adopters. Kerrie quickly became the star of the Adoption Center, embodying Bideawee's mission of getting to know each one of our animals and each and every one of our adopters so that we can make the best possible match.

In the past few years, as Feline Behavior Specialist, Kerrie has spearheaded initiatives to better the lives of our feline residents, such as requiring toys in every cage and encouraging the construction of even more cageless living space for the cats. She regularly holds educational workshops for the public and for staff at all three Bideawee locations in order to improve our understanding and our relationships with our feline friends. As a member of Bideawee's Case Management Team, Kerrie also has a direct impact on the cats living with us, constantly making adjustments and improvements to better the lives each and every one of them.



MORE KITTY CORNER COLUMNS FROM KERRIE:
Moving With Your Cat
How to Get Some Sleep If You Have a Noisy Cat
Playtime for Seniors! Older Cats Are Frisky Too!
Ideas for Inexpensive, Homemade Cat Toys