Old wives’ tales are those pesky little things that never seem to go away, despite the number of generations passed or the new and improved medical research. She believed that the cat might jump up into the crib and steal the baby’s breath. Try to introduce changes slowly, and always leave a special space for your cat that is "safe" from all the hustle and bustle of your growing household. When you bring a new baby home for the first time, let your cat sniff around the infant. Cat Myth: Cats Steal the Breath From Babies. They don’t steal anyone’s breath and they’re not plotting to injure your sleeping infant. Most tales say that cats did this because they were jealous of the newborn who stole all the attention from them. This infection can have serious consequences like miscarriage or birth defects, but is, luckily, very uncommon and preventable. The feline parasitic infection toxoplasmosis can be caused by a cat eating small mammals or birds. Many new parents worry that having a cat in the household will pose a big threat to the safety of their baby, and this fear can even result in parting company with their cat altogether. Cats can alter the sound of their voices from short meows to long howls to signal a specific response.  |  Some humans do, however, bring bad luck to their … Stay informed! This ridiculous myth probably started because some cats enjoyed curling up next to the warmth of babies. There are lots of opinions when it comes to cats and babies. When people hear you’re pregnant or have a newborn, they will be quick to tell you to get rid of your cat because cats carry diseases, they will still your baby’s breath, they will scratch your baby, and they will do things out of spite because you are focusing your love and attention elsewhere. This urban legend is totally false and a big disservice to cat-loving families who are welcoming a new baby . Little babies can’t exactly provoke a cat. A cat was originally blamed for a case of sudden infant death syndrome in the U.K. in 2000, when the mom of a 6-week-old baby claimed she found the cat laying on his face before discovering the baby was dead. If you're wondering, it's a myth that cats like to suffocate babies. Good News Network - If you said no, then your cat isn’t likely to scratch your baby, either. Whether your baby is still in utero or here in your arms, your cat can still be an active part of your life. Cats don’t love people or babies • Myth. Here's more … Cats always seem to get a bad rap. There are bound to be some couples that consider their cat a child. Listed below are several common cat myths, old wives' tales, and legends and the truth or lack of truth they contain. Myth: Indoor cats … By Advocate Staff | 2016-02-02T17:51:12-06:00 August 1st, 1995 ... a disease common among cats, they would have to get rid of the family cat – “It’s the cat or the baby,” he said. Absurd, Fun Songs About Majestic and Beautiful Cats. © 2019 Belvoir Media Group. bringing in strays or changing the cat’s litter box. This myth is the biggest reason that adult cats are in rescue centres beacuse families with a new baby give them away. Get tips and exclusive deals. Here are four popular myths about cats and babies, debunked: Look, we all carry diseases, okay? ... Cats cry like babies to communicate a need such as food, water, or attention. Cats have long been viewed as evil, and for centuries a number of superstitions featuring their bringing bad luck have abounded. Why Do Cats Cry Like Babies – Myths & Explainations. The reality is that cats love to snuggle up to warm bodies and they like the fragrance of milk on a baby's breath. Cats suffocating babies is a load of old bollocks. Meghan Lodge One of the most famous and persistent myths about cats is that they steal the breath from babies. Your cat is not the least bit interested in your baby’s oxygen. These old wives’ people sure didn’t have a high opinion of cats, did they? Babies are unpredictable and they smell different to people. Myth: Cats steal the breath of babies. Cats and babies can live in harmony together. After all, pregnant women, babies, and felines have coexisted peacefully for centuries. There are bound to be some couples that consider their cat a child. Perhaps one of the most commonly held beliefs about cats — right behind the one that says that black cats are bad luck … Cats can and do share deep bonds with their human families, which is why most of us consider them family members, as opposed to just "pets." Myth: Cats Smother Babies When my children were babies, my grandmother would tell me to keep the cat out of the baby’s bedroom. Cats and babies can co-exist harmoniously, however there are some precautions that new or expecting parents should take to help safeguard their precious baby and cat. How did it go? Cats are, however, interested in smelling the newcomer, and may be attracted to milk residue around your baby’s mouth. This concern is now thought to be nothing more than a myth, with most experts stressing that cats and babies can definitely live together – as long as certain precautions are taken. Remember that your cat is a part of the family too, and if you are sensitive to the needs of your family members, everyone will get along fine. Cats can steal your baby’s breath. If cats were so gross, why hasn’t Angie Bailey or her son died yet and why are you reading about cats on this super cool site? But when those pairs add an actual child to the mix, they may be wondering if it is safe to keep your feline friend around. 5. Showing your baby the correct ways to pet and hold your cat will likely save you, and your baby, the trouble of any other kitty-related woes. The biggest concern, the ASPCA says, is the risk of being exposed to toxoplasmosis, a parasitic infection often found in cats who have had contact with infected birds or rodents. You’re much more likely to catch something from undercooked meats and improperly handled foods than your kitty! As per the previous note, don’t let cats and babies snuggle unsupervised and close the nursery door while bubs is sleeping to minimise the risks. Cats are notoriously clean animals, and so preventing contact with your child is probably not necessary. If you visit the cat protection league website there is some advice. Tell us your stories in the comments! I’m a former quiet nerd who’s turned bubbly animal-obsessed advocate. Wow. So don’t make sudden changes to your cat’s lifestyle, and include your cat in the caring of your baby. Cats, like any other animal, can carry and transmit diseases, but so long as your cat is healthy and up to date on necessary vaccinations, you have nothing to worry about. This parasite in a pregnant woman can result in miscarriage, stillbirth or such birth defects as blindness, deafness, hydrocephalus or epilepsy. In fact, the opposite is generally true. Cats are, however, interested in smelling the newcomer, and may be attracted to milk residue around your baby’s mouth. One source claims it stems from a number of myths surrounding the Hebrew tale of Adam's first wife, Lilith. Read stories about babies and kittens on Catster: About Meghan Lodge: Fits the Aquarius definition to a fault, loves animals, and is always pushing for change. Every cat is different, but they’re all much more likely to become your child’s best friend than their mortal enemy. Even though your cat may be the most gentle feline out there, there is always the chance he may scratch or bite if frightened. "They" sure do know a lot, don’t they? Do Cats Get Lonely or Are They Fine Without Other Cats? Some support it, while others are completely against the idea of the two ever co-habitating. Cats have no intentions or ability to suck the breath from a baby. According to some Sephardic Jews, Lilith was also known as El Broosha, a demon who eats babies and takes a giant, black, polymorphous, cat-shaped form. Female cats cry when they are in heat. The origin of this story is not truly known. In England it was believed for centuries that cats were capable of climbing into an infant’s crib and sucking its breath until death succumbs it. Even the risk of contracting toxoplasmosis is minimal, so long as you practice good hygiene. Seriously. Ehrlich uncovers the hot topics on the Internet about cats and babies -including allergies, toxoplasmosis and cats in the crib. With so many myths circulating around the safety of cats and newborn babies, Pet Insurance Australia alongside veterinary author of Tell Your Cat You’re Pregnant, Dr Lewis Kirkham thought it was about time these myths were finally put to rest.PLUS: how can you prepare your cat for the new human arrival? Drawn by the sweet scent of milk or seeking a bit of warmth, cat's will snuggle up to the baby, inadvertently suffocating the child rather than deliberately sucking out his breath. According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, this may not be the best time to take in strays, but it owning a cat is generally safe, with the exception of a few rare scenarios. No, cats are not baby killers. Have you shared your life with a baby and a cat at the same time? So whilst it might be partly true, but it’s not necessarily true that cats don’t like babies, but just that babies are different to the people they’re used to. And it’s also best to err on the side of caution. All rights reserved. The easiest way to contract toxomplasmosis, they say, is by handling infected cat feces or eating raw or undercooked meat. 2021 Bustle Digital Group. Once your child is mobile, though, it’s important to teach them how to safely handle animals. You and your home is your cat’s entire world, and a baby brings on a lot of new things. Curling up next to a newborn in a crib meets both of these needs. Myth 6: Cats are not good with babies. The age-old myth that milk and cats go hand-in-hand has officially been debunked by veterinarians and cat experts. But when those pairs add an actual child to the mix, they may be wondering if it is safe to keep your feline friend around. Fact: Actually, most warm-blooded mammals, including cats, bats, skunks and ferrets, can carry rabies. So for the time being, use pregnancy as an excuse to pass is dreaded chore on to someone else. Kristyn Savage of Beyond the Dog, LLC, helps us learn more and sheds some light on several myths about cats and babies, plus more information about feline behavior. Allowing the cat to look at, smell and even touch your newest family member will assure your cat he has nothing to fear. There are new smells, sounds, objects, and schedules, all of which can contribute to changes in your cat’s behavior. Is it safe to have cats around babies? Cats also like to snuggle, and little babies are warm snuggle bunnies. Cats can suck the breath from a baby. “The biggest misconception about cats and babies is that many people still say that you should not own a cat while you are pregnant,” Dr Kirkham says. Apr 4th 2014. If you already have a little one in the home, the answer is pretty much the same. Cats and babies myth busting Feline behaviour consultant Jane Ehrlich reports on some the common perceptions (and misperceptions) surrounding cats, pregnant women and babies. In Japan, it is thought to be good luck if a black cat crosses your path, but in much of Europe and the US, the presence of a black cat is considered to mean that bad luck is on its way. – NOT true! One inch of your skin is probably crawling with enough bacteria to grow a tiny jungle in a petri dish, and that’s only an inch. #1 Cats have nine lives – This common myth comes from Celtic mythology’s Cat Sidhe, a magical Fairy Cat that could take the form of a human, then change back into its cat body. Myth: Cats cannot get rabies. Maybe if we educate the expectant mothers, new moms, and young children now, we can finally put some of these myths to rest. Myth: Cats are evil and will suck the life out of a baby. A cat will climb into a crib with a crying baby because a) cats are curious b) babies are warm and smell good. Since it could only transform from a human to a cat eight times, and after the ninth time it changed back into a cat—it lost its shapeshifting ability, which spurred the idea that a cat has nine lives as a cat. Start teaching your child early on that you shouldn’t pester the cat, including pulling tails and picking up or hugging the cat. Does your cat scratch you? Toxoplasmosis cysts are shed in the feces of infected animals. Cats are pretty resilient, they get used to the new baby pretty fast. “The bed is soft and the baby is warm.” However, she cautions that pets and babies should never be left alone, regardless of how well they seem to get along. If your cat’s behavior changes, it is more likely due to stress brought on by change rather than jealousy. It is highly unlikely that a cat will suffocate your baby by sniffing or snuggling, but it’s safest to not let the cat in the crib at all or in the room with the baby when you can’t supervise. Black cats have been the subject of myth and folklore for centuries, and while in some countries they are considered unlucky, the felines are said to bring good fortune in other parts of the world. It's time for cat and babies myth busting!… 27 Ways Our Cat is Preparing for Our New Baby, Weird Cat Facts: 8 Reasons Your Cat Likes to Lick You, 10 Sounds That Cats Make — and What They Mean. A toddler, on the other hand, may pull kitty’s tail or ears, leading to a scratch. Loves ink, whether it’s in tattoos, books, or writing on that pretty sheet of blank paper. MYTH: Black cats and dogs are bad luck There are so many beautiful black dogs and cats out there and the only bad luck they cause is when the owners their owners are stupid to believe in such a thing. Proud parent of Toby (cat) and Axle (dog). MYTH 4: Patting cats … Regardless of how tasty milk may be to your cat… You don’t have to get rid of your cat when you have a baby. To get right to the point, the short answer is yes, it is safe to own a cat if you’re expecting a baby or already have one. The ASPCA also cautions pregnant women against bringing in strays or changing the cat’s litter box because, while most people’s immune system is able to fight off this infection, a pregnant woman’s may not. All rights reserved. Growing up with cats can also help children learn respect and compassion for animals, a virtue certainly worth having. Fact: Cats are heat-and comfort-seekers. The next time you hear a dog-lover claiming that cats are cold and aloof, ... Myth-Busting Study Says Cats Form Emotional Attachments to Their Owners Just Like Dogs and Babies. Your cat is not the least bit interested in your baby’s oxygen. Cats do not exclude non-family members from their circle either, as witness the many that give love and comfort to patients in hospitals, and convalescent homes. 1. She grew up in the Carpathian Mountains, the land of Dracula and werewolves. By. There has never been one proven incident of this happening. But when it comes down to it, what is the truth? Like dogs, cats should be vaccinated regularly according to local laws. Cats usually jump into a crib because the bed is warm, high off the ground or a novel place to sleep. “Many cats love to snuggle up and lay right next to the baby,” says Dr. Jeannine Berger, a veterinarian and vice president of Rescue and Welfare at the San Francisco SPCA. She … “I have pregnant cat owners who quite regularly come to me, as a veterinarian and behaviourist, saying a well-meaning friend or relative has told them to get rid of their cat.” However, if the cat chooses to press up against the face of a bundled infant who is too young to turn away on her own, her breathing may be hampered. I have over 50 cat books in my possession, and have lived with cats for 34 of my 39 years. Cat owners can help their cats stay fit by providing exercise and not over-feeding. When it comes to cats, forget the old wives’ tales. Dispelling the myth about cats and babies. It’s hard to believe a person in the 1990s could still believe that cats can “suck the breath out of babies.” No reputable cat care book has ever suggested that a cat will “suffocate” a baby! They also make different movements to people (and they have smelly diapers!).
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