So you’re sharing your house with a cat.  And soon you’ll be sharing your house with a brand new baby.  Here are few things you can do to help this transition flow more smoothly:

• Before you bring Junior home, bring his belongings.  Let Muffin get used to baby smells like baby powder, Vaseline, and baby shampoo.  Try to bring home Junior’s baby blanket from the hospital, before he comes home, and lay it near Muffin’s favorite resting spot. 
• Keep Muffin out of Junior’s room unless you’re there to supervise.  Cats tend to look for warm places to rest, and you don’t want your 10 lb. cat resting on top of your 8 lb. baby.  Mobiles can make great cat toys, and they are typically set up just overtop of the baby.  Be sure your cat doesn’t establish a play routine in the baby’s room. 
• Make sure visitors visit with Muffin also, if she likes it.  If Muffin is typically a socialite, try not to lock her away for visitors.  Let her enjoy the excitement as well.  If she prefers her solitude, set up a comfy, quiet retreat she can enjoy when people are over. 
• Schedule time with your cat.  Let’s face it, Junior will likely push Muffin down the totem pole of priorities a bit.  That’s ok.  Muffin can adjust to some change.  Just make sure she doesn’t get pushed out of the way entirely.  Try to set some time aside to remind Muffin that she’s a special part of your family also. 

Today’s blog author is Marie Tripton. Marie is the senior behavior/training specialist at the Richmond SPCA. Call the Behavior Helpline at (804) 643-SPCA.

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