As if you couldn't love your cat enough, they could become even more affectionate than usual once they sense you're pregnant. You'll notice them spending more time rubbing against you and staying close to you. This is their own way of becoming more maternal and focusing extra attention on you.
In short, it depends on the cat and how they typically react to changes in their environment. “How they act will depend on their individual personality,” Dr. Bonk explains. “Some become overly affectionate and more drawn to the pregnant person.
Some cats turn into little lovebugs when a human companion is pregnant, while others rebel by becoming aloof or attaching themselves to someone else. If you're getting the cold shoulder from your cat, it could be a sign that she is stressed by the changes in her routine.
Yes, they can! Many cats are known to become clingy when their owner is pregnant. If your cat is not acting clingy, do not worry, it does not mean that you are not pregnant!
"Cats and dogs likely perceive hormonal changes that occur with pregnancy due to their amazing sense of smell," says Dr Mornement. "Their acute sense of hearing also means they probably hear the baby's heartbeat in the later stages of pregnancy."
Your Cat Could Become More Affectionate
As if you couldn't love your cat enough, they could become even more affectionate than usual once they sense you're pregnant. You'll notice them spending more time rubbing against you and staying close to you.
Since the temperature of your body may be slightly higher during pregnancy, your cat may like to snuggle up with you more when you're expecting. Your cat may rub against you, sit on your pregnant belly, or even lie down beside you and put their paw on your belly.
Your pets probably don't understand that in nine months a new baby will be joining your family, but dogs and cats do detect differences in your mood, posture, behavior, and body chemistry that clue them in to the enormous changes you're going through.
Most cats adapt to a new baby; they recognize that gentleness is required with this little human and react to him or her very differently than to older humans. It is important to oversee interactions and to reinforce calm and gentle behaviors by rewarding your cat with treats and quiet praise.
Dogs can most likely sense miscarriage as well as pregnancy. There are many changes in a pregnant person's body, including hormones, scents, and the way someone looks and moves while pregnant. Of course, their body also changes after a miscarriage in these same ways.
For some confident and inquisitive cats, the arrival of a new baby can be an interesting and intriguing time, but for other cats it can cause them stress and anxiety as they might not feel as 'in control' of their surroundings as usual.
Babies, children and cats should never be left together unsupervised. It is important an adult supervises them at all times. The main health and safety risks to your child are: risks to their breathing.
Stressful environment
New family members are stressful enough for cats, but lots of other things could stress your cat out, too. Clinginess could be a sign that your cat trusts you but not others. Pay close attention to your cat's behavior when certain people or pets walk into the room.
How Will My Cat React? Some cats will become stressed and anxious during your pregnancy and even more so when the new baby arrives. It is likely that you will see a definite change in your cat's mood and behaviour, especially with regards to the baby encroaching on “their” territory.
While it's generally okay to let your cat lie on your baby bump, keep in mind that animals are unpredictable. For starters, cats with long claws should not sit on your belly. Scratches or bites should be taken seriously since they can become infected or even allow pathogens to enter the body.
Cat owners and women who are exposed to cats should follow these tips to reduce exposure to Toxoplasma. Avoid changing cat litter if possible. If no one else can perform the task, wear disposable gloves and wash your hands with soap and water afterwards.
Protective behavior: Some cats become more protective of their pregnant owners, often by staying close to them or even growling or hissing at strangers. Attention to your belly: As your belly grows, your cat may start to show more interest in it. They may sniff or paw at your belly, or even rest their head on it.
Rachel Barrack, DVM, owner of Animal Acupuncture in New York City, says many pregnant people report that their dogs are more affectionate and/or protective during their pregnancy. “It's likely due to the scent and your hormones, as well as possible changes in your mood,” she explains.
In order to protect their own health and that of their unborn child, women who are, or who may be, pregnant should be advised to avoid close contact with livestock animals. This is because infectious organisms may be present in birth fluids of animals, particularly sheep, cattle and goats.
You can keep, and continue to cuddle with, your friendly feline — just don't change your cat's litter box. An infection called toxoplasmosis can be spread through soiled litter boxes and can cause miscarriage and serious problems in a fetus, including seizures and severe eye and brain damage.
Avoid allowing cats onto your bed as this will increase the risk of contacting bacteria and parasitic infections, as well as increase the risk of an allergic reaction to the cat's fur, resulting in symptoms associated with allergies or various other respiratory disorders.
The baby can hear and sense heat so if the cat is directly purring on the belly they'll hear it. It could even become a comforting sound that the baby recognises when s/he is born.