Cat in the crib! Help!

cla517

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We just set up our crib. (I'm due in 7 weeks). Of course, Max thinks it's HIS new bed. I chase him out evry time I see him in there, but this does not seem to do much. He's smart enough to realize that if I don't catch him he doesn't get in trouble!

There is a "crib tent' on the market, but it won't fit my crib (figures!) Any ideas how to keep him out, short of closing the door? Obviously, he can't be in there once the baby comes!

Thanks!
 

jennyr

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I think you need to make/find a cover to keep him out. It could be dangerous, though I have never actually heard of a cat smothering a baby. When the baby comes, will you be able to keep the nursery door closed?
 

coaster

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There's no danger to a baby. It's an old wives' tale. There's never been a documented case of a cat smothering a baby. I wouldn't worry about it.
 

loveysmummy

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I agree that this is a wellknown myth that the cat will "suck the breath from a baby"...
However, you may still not want the cat jumping in there while baby is sleeping so I would vote for keeping nursery door closed as well.
 

hissy

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Or put up a screen door so you can see the baby and hear the baby. You can also hang some of those lemon scented car dealies on the bottom of the crib and see if that deters him?
 

beckiboo

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I would try the lemon scent now, before baby comes, to try to teach kitty that the crib is not a fun place to be. And maybe you could get him a new box with a blankie and catnip, or someplace else special for him to go.

I don't believe that cats are dangerous for babies, but you still may want to keep him out! He might lick the baby's bottle, etc. 16 years ago, when ds was born, I had a cat. He was neutered, but he used to spray on my nursing pads! Gross. I don't remember any other pet/baby problems over the years.

If you are determined to keep kitty away, a screen door might be the way to go. But mostly, I think cats avoid babies!
 

luvmy4cats

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I agree with the previous poster that recommended putting up a screen door. I had two cats when my first child was born. Although I was not worried they would harm the baby I still did not want them in the crib with him (because I was worried that he might cry and scare them and he would accidentally get scratched or something). I had my husband remove the door from the nursery and put up a screen door (that he made for me) in it's place. It was really nice because I could safely keep the cats out, yet I could hear the baby if he cried. We kept the screen door on until my son was about two years old (and big enough to sleep in a regular bed). Once he got into a regular bed my cats started sleeping on the foot of his bed which was fine!
 

sharky

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I like the screen idea at least till the baby is older like 18 months... My cat was in the crib with me and I am still here..
 

yosemite

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My Siamese always wanted in the crib with our daughter as well. I kept taking her out and saying no - don't know if it actually did much good.

Our daughter is now 25 and her first word was Seesuz (the cat's name was Susie).

Too many old wives tales out there including bad rep of Siamese.
 

loveysmummy

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Originally Posted by Yosemite

My Siamese always wanted in the crib with our daughter as well. I kept taking her out and saying no - don't know if it actually did much good.

Our daughter is now 25 and her first word was Seesuz (the cat's name was Susie).

Too many old wives tales out there including bad rep of Siamese.
Or what about when "Lady and the Tramp" first came out?
I can't imagine how Siamese population must have dropped.
I wonder...
 
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