There are many myths about cats that, despite not being founded in reality or a misinterpretation of cat behavior, continue to be spread. One of the odder ones is that cats will try to kill babies so a cat needs to get the boot if someone has a baby. For those who have never heard this myth before, it may seem strange that I’m writing a blog on this topic, but it’s genuinely talked about.
While it’s understandable that new parents would be worried about the safety of their child, let’s make one thing clear: most cats will be fine around a newborn if you’re careful. While there may be some cats that can’t be around babies, with preparation many can. Here’s why you don’t need to worry as much as you’d think and what you should do instead.
Why Do People Think Cats Will Kill Their Babies?
Much like the myth that black cats are bad luck, the culprit is witches. No, not actual witches. Unfortunately, due to a combination of bad luck for cats and societal-level misogyny, witches got blamed for any sort of ill that befell folks back in the day. By default, cats were often guilty by association in people’s minds.
While there is absolutely no way this could have actually happened, one particularly problematic myth about cats dates back approximately 300 years. A coroner who declared a cat the culprit behind the death of a baby. How exactly did the alleged murder take place? Did the cat scratch the child to death or did a bite cause a nasty infection? Nope, according to the coroner, the cat sucked the baby’s breath out.
As absolutely bonkers as this idea is, grief can do some weird things to folks and grieving parents at the time needed something to blame. Cats became the scapegoat if one was around to suck out that sweet, tasty baby breath.
Is There Any Reality To Cats Hurting Babies?
Now onto the big question: even if cats aren’t stealing the breath from a baby, is there any danger to your baby from your cat? The answer is my favorite answer to most questions: it depends.
Adding a baby to a home is a big stressor for cats. Babies come with lots of big smells, sounds, and changes to routines. The cat’s territory may be reduced and their humans are paying less attention to them. That can lead to stress and one way stress can manifest itself is with aggressive behaviors. Even a normally sweet cat can develop aggressive behaviors if they’re chronically stressed. You may even notice your cat playing with murder weapons, though boredom could explain that, too.
Furniture For Babies Or Fur Babies?
Another problem you may run into is your cat wanting to use the baby’s furniture even while the baby is in it. No, it’s not because the cat is trying to smother the baby or trying to dominate them. Rather, your baby is toasty warm so your cat probably sees them as a snuggly source of heat.
Combine that with the cozy, box like shape of most bassinets (which, after your baby outgrows them, could be repurposed for cats) and you’re basically setting up a very appealing place for your cat to snuggle. If a cat were to smother a baby, it would be completely accidental.
Unfortunately, there are some tragic incidents of cats unintentionally killing babies. Well, I should say there’s one at least. In 2000, a cat fell asleep on the baby’s face. I wasn’t able to find other documented, verifiable incidents of cats smothering babies so it’s clear that it’s a very, very rare occurrence.
Health Dangers From Cats
There are other more realistic ways your cat could pose a danger to your baby besides smothering them or aggressing toward them. In addition to my work as a cat behaviorist, I’m also a licensed physician assistant. Pets, as much as we love them, carry health risks to us.
If your baby is allergic to cats, it could directly pose a risk to their ability to breathe. That’s actually how I managed to get my sweet cat Zoloft. If this is the case, you can work with your child’s pediatrician to address the allergies or decide if it’s too risky and rehoming is the safest choice. While not ideal, rehoming for this reason can turn out well!
Cats can also carry diseases that could be transmitted to your child. Toxoplasmosis is one well known example, but bites or scratches can become seriously infected. Ringworm can also be transmitted between cats and humans, as can giardia in very rare cases.
Do I Have To Rehome My Cat Because I’m Having A Baby?
While it may seem pretty risky to keep your cat around, the good news is that welcoming a baby doesn’t usually mean saying goodbye to your cat. Regular veterinary care can help reduce risk of your cat having an infectious disease, as can keeping them indoors. If your cat seems ill, take them to the vet right away to make sure nothing can be transmitted to your child. It will also help your cat feel better so everyone involved wins!
In some cases where there is a medical reason where your child can’t be around cats or there is a behavioral issue so severe it can’t safely be resolved, rehoming may be the best choice, but that isn’t the situation in the majority of cases. Working with your veterinarian, child’s medical providers, and a cat behavior consultant can help determine what the best course of action is.
Reducing Risk To Your Child
There are some simple steps you can take to reduce the risk that your cat may aggress toward your child or accidentally sit on them. While the risk will never be fully eliminated, you can significantly reduce it.
- Get your cat used to being around children and babies from a young age with lots of positive, predictable interactions.
- Provide your cat with plenty of alternative places to spend time such as a cozy cat cave or tall cat tower. A round heated cat bed can be a good alternative for your cat to a bassinet.
- Make sure your cat has plenty of resources spread throughout your home and replace any resources that get taken away with an acceptable alternative.
- Get your cat used to environmental changes early by closing off doors to the baby’s room, setting up baby furniture well in advance, and not waiting until the last minute to prepare.
- Always supervise interactions with your child and your cat. Keep interactions short at first and gently end the interaction before your cat displays signs of being upset.
- Make sure your cat’s basic needs are being met with plenty of play, attention, and mental stimulation.
- Consider making your life easier and reducing the chances you’ll forget about basic care of your cat with an automatic feeder.
With some steps to prepare your cat for the arrival of the baby, your cat can be comfortable and your baby safe. There are some real risks to your baby’s safety that should be taken seriously, but they’re not related to your baby’s breath being stolen and easily managed. The risk of them being smothered is not zero, but it’s small. If you’re concerned, keep your baby and your cat completely separated until the baby is a bit older.