Getting a kitten/cat while pregnant.

[JorgieGirl]

My DH wants to get me a kitten/cat for my birthday, which is this week. We have been talking about it since the spring when he wanted to get one for our DD for her first birthday. I mentioned that might not be such a great time and said we should wait til she's a bit older. She's great with cats and has never pulled tails or fur on any of our friends/relatives cats or dogs.

So, now obviously, I'm pregnant and am not sure if it's a great idea since we'll have a nb in 5 months. I do really want a cat and have for a long time. I grew up with cats. I am just looking for advice with regards to being pregnant and getting either an older adopted cat, or a kitten.

Pros/cons?

[Jelinifer]

Granted, I'm not an expert (I've only had my two fur babies since they were kittens and they're two years old now... and these are my first cats and our first kid is still on the way) but I would think adopting an adult cat would be easier if you guys are set on getting a pet now. Most shelters can tell you if a cat is good with kids and you would (hopefully) have less of an adjustment period with getting an adult cat acclimated to your home and family instead of getting a kitten that is going to be going through his own adjustment periods as he grows- and may or may not turn out to be great with kids.

[Bubblette]

I honestly wouldn't hesitate to add a cat or kitten (if we weren't already at our max comfortable capacity) to our household just because I'm pregnant. Have someone else clean the litter box is all!

Cats are really independent and by 7 months old (the minimum age your possible cat would be if you got an 8 week old kitten now) should be very settled into a routine. It would not be like having a 7 month old puppy at all, in my experience.

I do agree with the PP. An adult, or even 6 mo+ cat from the shelter may be a better bet since you will know more about their personality. That is unless you feel really confident picking out kittens, some people do some don't.

[Lauren31]

I am not a cat person so I would never get one but I can't see a problem in it except that your husband will have to change the cat litter box since I doubt you have the immunity to toxoplasmosis at this time. Most people who grew up with cats have it, though. Anyways, I have a dog and it is a lot of work, a cat seems easy enough since they really steer clear of humans. Make sure you adopt a nice one though who does not scratch. I would not want that around the baby. A lot of cats get possessive though, so make sure you are prepared to deal with that when the baby comes.

[Pepper44]

We adopted a 6 month old male orange kitty while I was in the beginning of my second trimester with my DD.

It worked out great! We had a few months for him to adjust and get all of his crazy kitten antics out, then DD was born and he kept laying next to her and purring while she nursed. It was like he accepted her as a new family member right away, he even kept trying to groom her.

Now she can carry him around and he tolerates being hugged and kissed and all that. (DD is 3.) He is the most patient of all our cats when it comes to DD. I think it's because he grew up with DD from the beginning and the three other cats we rescued after DD was born didn't have the same experience.

[Collinsky]

Originally Posted by Bubblette

I honestly wouldn't hesitate to add a cat or kitten (if we weren't already at our max comfortable capacity) to our household just because I'm pregnant. Have someone else clean the litter box is all!

Ditto that. If you had had cats (and done a lot of litter box changing) your whole life, then assuming you've been exposed to toxoplasmosis and are immune would be fine -- but since you may not have been, have him clean the box, frequently (fresh poo isn't really an issue, it's when it dries that it is more likely to release the toxo into the air) and of course wash his hands afterward. I changed my cats litter boxes while pg (wearing a mask and gloves!) and only because I had a reasonable expectation that I'm immune to toxoplasmosis. Even so, if there is someone else who can do it, they should do it!

[jsh7809]

We have a 2 year old cat, got a little kitten in June, and got pregnant in mid July. I don't have other kids, but I will say that I kind of regret the timing on the kitten... 1: he was supposed to help with my baby cravings and instead only fed them to the point where we ended up "trying" earlier than planned and 2: it is a lot to deal with, especially when exhausted from pregnancy hormones, in the winter when the cats don't want to go out as much, and with a needy kitten who wants to play/ cuddle/ wake me up in the middle of the night.
However, I adore him, so there's no way we'd ever get rid of him now or anything. It's just that there have been some moments of regret when I am the most frustrated and exhausted.
Plus, he has some trouble with his aim and the cat box, and DH has to clean it since I'm pregnant... and he's not always as efficient about cleaning it up as I would be, so that can be frustrating too...

Anyway, I would say that the pros of a kitten are obvious - so cute! so fun to play with! will probably cuddle you and learn to live in your household better than an older, established cat might! But they are also more energy, more attention, more potential for scratchiness...
You can ask the volunteers at the animal shelter which older cats have been in homes with kids and treated them well - I guess that would be your number one concern? I try to picture how our cats will tolerate a baby and really have no idea... I think they'll be safe and careful but it'd be nice to have that reassurance going in, especially since you already have a kid.

I love and adore kitties, and honestly I think ours are helping DH get used to being a father (the way he dotes on them lately is crazy). But I've also had moments where I'm just like, "what on earth did we do?!". Those are mostly when the kitten starts rocketing around the house or wakes me up at 4 am when I'm already having trouble sleeping... maybe an older cat is the way to go?

[finnegansmom]

I agree with the PPs, an older kitten or adult would be a great addition, there are so many kitties looking for homes right now.

And just an FYI about toxo - I worked as a vet tech and was a volunteer for the local feral cat rescue group for years, helping to trap, spay and neuter ferals and rehome kittens if possible. I have been scratched, bitten and in way too close contact with all sorts of cat bodily fluids.... AND I tested negative for toxo! Could not believe it... so please don't assume you have been exposed to it because you have had cats all your life. Get tested or just assume you are negative.

[couponmom85]

I rescue cats.
I have a almost 3 year old son, And Currently have 6 cats In my Home.
DH Changed the litter when i was PG with DS and Now that I am Again he will be taking that duty again lol.

Our cats Tolerate our DS pulling tails and Dragging them through the house.

We have 3 adults (1 yr-4 yr old) and 3 Kittens (9 Mths Old)

I will say By 6 Months They are Pretty Easy to care for.
Ours go inside and Out so We dont have to change litter Often, and they eat twice a day.
All my kittys are fixed, Which You should defiantly make sure if you get one to make sure it is. It will help prevent spraying (Although i have known a couple cats who were fixed that did spray)
Female cats are More Mothering and In my experience More curious about babies and such.
Boys seem More laid back and Are less Likely to mess with a Baby or be bothered by tail Pulling.
But Every cat is different.

I hope you find the Perfect kitty!!!

[Bluegoat]

I just wanted to say, cleaning the box isn't a big deal if you wear rubber gloves and wash your hands, and generally avoid ingesting cat poo. Indoor cats are also not likely to be infected unless they are eating raw meat (mice say), although with a new kitten or shelter cat you could never be sure.

You may not want to mention this to your dh though.

[ColwynsMommy]

We got a kitten in October. I had a cat for a short period of time when I was a kid, but never since. We've always had dogs. There haven't been any issues as far as the pregnancy goes.. my husband and oldest son scoop the litter box. A kitten is *so* much less work than a dog, even when they're little. Maybe we lucked out, but the kitten hasn't caused any problems. He and the dog get along well.

The one problem has been with my 18 month old. Fiona simply adores the cat, but she wants to pick him up the way she sees me and her older brothers do. Unfortunately, she doesn't know how and ends up strangling him. I can't leave them alone together, which means the cat stays shut in our bedroom for at least a few hours each day. I don't think he minds at all, to be honest, but it's inconvenient. Fiona's great with our dog, too, which is why I wasn't anticipating any issues. I think it's just that our dog is big and can take a lot more rough love than the kitten can.

[Bubblette]

I've been thinking about this thread and came up with a few more things to add/respond with.

Most people get toxo from undercooked meat, not litter boxes. Cats have a bad rap for it actually. I never got tested because I figured DH cleaning the box for 9 months wasn't a big deal, and neither did he. If you're worried about that you can always just get your levels checked. If you eat meat you can't assume you're negative just because you've never had a cat.

A six month ish old might be the best age for you. Older cats get set in their ways and adapt more slowly (not that they can't be awesome!!!). Kittens will still be kinda zoomy at 6-7 months old.

As for them keeping you up at night/being attention hogs. Well.... we fixed that pretty quick in my house when we adopted a 6 month old. She loved sleeping with us. So every time she woke us up in the middle of the night we kicked her out of the bed room for the rest of the night. She banged on the door for about a week and then figured it out. Now if she needs to play in the middle of the night she leaves the room, plays with her toys in the living room then comes back into bed.

Whatever the age/temperament of the cat you'll want to be sure there are ways for the kitty to get away from your LO. That way if their just DONE, even if your children are really gentle, they have an escape route. As long as your house can be set up well for a cat you should be fine.

In my experience boys are more lovely and laid back in general. Orange and tabby boys are awesome!! Girls are more standoffish, in general and I would avoid at all costs a calico/torti. I don't know what it is with them but they seem to have a screw lose. I know that sounds nuts and I though my coworkers were crazy but after 5 years as a vet tech I agree with them. Not just for vet visits but all the kittens we fostered too!! That being said when we went looking for a kitty to adopt we looked for an 8 week ish old short haired orange boy and we came home with a 6 month old long haired black femle who's a love and perfect.

[Pepper44]

Interesting info about toxoplasmosis! I was hoping that I am immune. I don't change out the entire box, but I do scoop it because there's no way I can smell a full box (we have four cats) all day long or leave it with uncovered poop for hours waiting for my DH to get home from work!

We have a tortie, she's a long haired one. She just showed up on our porch when she was a tiny fluff ball kitten and she stayed. She's so laid back, she doesn't even come running when I fill up the food dish. But she does sometimes randomly bite at you if you aren't petting her just right.

Our orange boy is my special kitty.

We have a very friendly black and white tuxedo girl who was a stray.

Our youngest cat is a huge, HUGE Turkish Van colored long haired cat. He's an odd cat.

I have noticed that long haired cats seem much more relaxed than the short haired ones. My long haired cats tend to lay around more, like big stuffed animals, always flopped onto their backs or stretched out at odd angles.

[nia82]

I would get the kitten, he/she will enrich your life by so much!
I have lived my entire life with cats, outside and inside, and I'm not immune to toxo. So, DH cleans the litterbox, well cleaned it during my pregnancy and will during future pregnancies.
The bigger chance of catching toxo anyways is through raw foods such as raw milk/cheese or meats... So you should be fine by getting tested and avoiding exposure.
Our older cat is a pound cat from SC, the newer cat is a Siamese boy my DH really wanted. He is super easy going and even ok with DS carrying him by the neck (poor kitty, gotta intervene often). He won't bite nor scratch him, and they love to play peekaboo in the play tunnel. So much fun for all of us!

[JorgieGirl]

Thanks everyone!! I appreciate all the wonderful input and I love hearing about everyone's kitties!

I think we have decided to sit on it for a few more weeks at least. We are going away for a week near the end of January, so I wouldn't want to leave a kitten so soon after getting it. I also think we'll be looking for a slightly older kitty. Perhaps between 6months and a year. Luckily where we live we are very close to many excellent shelters, so I want to take my time and get one I really feel will be good for our family. I am set on getting a male orange tabby, too. Ever since my kitty Maverick passed on a year ago (at the time was living at my IL's) I just miss him so much.

Again, thanks so much!

[jsh7809]

Yay, I'm glad you are going to get one! Even though my cats drive me crazy, I have never really regretted getting either of them... they are definitely a part of the family. Enjoy!

[hapersmion]

Originally Posted by Bluegoat

I just wanted to say, cleaning the box isn't a big deal if you wear rubber gloves and wash your hands, and generally avoid ingesting cat poo. Indoor cats are also not likely to be infected unless they are eating raw meat (mice say), although with a new kitten or shelter cat you could never be sure.

You may not want to mention this to your dh though.

I never knew this, but at the beginning of this pregnancy I read that toxo can actually become airborne while you're changing the litter, and so you can get it even if you wash your hands. (But as you say, that can only happen if your cat happens to be infected, and shedding toxo at that time - they only shed it once after they've been infected.) Of course, that can happen while gardening too, and I didn't stop doing that... Just a note for general information.

[womenswisdom]

Originally Posted by finnegansmom

And just an FYI about toxo - I worked as a vet tech and was a volunteer for the local feral cat rescue group for years, helping to trap, spay and neuter ferals and rehome kittens if possible. I have been scratched, bitten and in way too close contact with all sorts of cat bodily fluids.... AND I tested negative for toxo! Could not believe it... so please don't assume you have been exposed to it because you have had cats all your life. Get tested or just assume you are negative.

Me too. After 12 years in the vet field, tested negative multiple times (checked at the beginning and end of each pregnancy). A study done on vet techs showed they don't have any higher rate of infection than the general public. Cats are not a huge source of toxo. You are much more likely to get it from undercooked meat.

ETA: I still scooped litterboxes at work while preg. Just wore gloves and washed thoroughly afterward. The hospital I work at scoops multiple times a day and the oocytes need (IIRC) 24 hrs to hatch after being shed so it was fairly low-risk.

[Kikelet]

We just adopted a kitty and I'm 6 months pregnant! The only reason we got a 3 mo. old kitten instead of an adult cat is because our 2 adult cats would not have tolerated an adult kitty. If we did not have picky adult cats already, we definitely would have adopted an adult kitty. There are so many sweet adult cats at the pet store who are up for adoption and it breaks my heart to see them there for so long. I'm really emotional about animals and I wish I could take them ALL home. Once we get a bigger home, we're considering fostering kitties of all ages!

The only thing I can think of is that you should wait until you get back from your trip, like you said, to adopt a kitty; and I suppose you'll have to spend much more time with the kitty in the beginning to bond and learn about each other, just like you would with a baby (even if it's an adult cat).

Best of luck deciding!