Need cat & baby help!

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-01-2003
Need cat & baby help!
4
Mon, 11-29-2004 - 6:56pm

Hi!

I have a 6 week old baby (Jadzia) and a 3 year old kitty (Scooter). During my pregnancy, 2 of our other cats passed away, so it was just Scooter and DH and I by the time the baby came. When we first brought Jadzia home, Scooter seemed fine. But now in the last week & 1/2 he's taken swipes at her twice. He hasn't actually scratched or bitten her, but I'm getting REALLY nervous.

Scooter is very nervous and aggressive around strangers (for example, I had 2 people come in and clean the house a couple months ago, and Scooter ran across the room and jumped on the guy and attacked him). I have no idea why, other than maybe he's just not used to them. My husband found him abandoned at about 3 weeks old. But I don't think he even identified Jadzia as a person, and I'm not sure he does. He doesn't seem aggressive with her, he seems like he sees her squirming around and wants to play.

A couple other points--he has his front and back claws (I keep the front ones pretty well trimmed and he has lots of scratching pads). And getting rid of Scooter is NOT an option, unless it really gets to a point where he turns aggressive and Jadzia is in danger that I can't avoid. I just want them to live together happily and be friends. What can I do to keep Scooter from hurting the baby and try to facilitate this friendship?

Sorry this was so long...tia for any help you can give me!!

Joy

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-01-2003
Mon, 11-29-2004 - 7:13pm
Boy I am not sure and I hope you get some other advice as I never had trouble with my cats. Can you hold the baby and pet the kitty at the same time? Let him sniff all her stuff so he knows her smell to,maybe let him lay on a blanket she has used.


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iVillage Member
Registered: 08-10-2003
Mon, 11-29-2004 - 8:29pm
Hi Joy,
Please also post on the Think Like a Cat with Pam Johnson-Bennett board. Pam is a feline behaviourist with many years experience. Plus she has cats and two very young children (one an infant). She will definately be able to help you. Here is the link: http://messageboards.ivillage.com/iv-ptthinkcat
Cynthia
Avatar for cl_lcni
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Tue, 11-30-2004 - 11:43am

Hi Joy.


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iVillage Member
Registered: 10-01-2003
Thu, 12-02-2004 - 4:25pm

Thanks for the input! I'm trying the other board as well. If anyone has any other thoughts, I'd appreciate it! I hate not even being able to turn my back on them for a second.

Joy