Cats and Newborns: What You Actually Need to Worry About (And What You Don’t)

I am often asked about cats and how to introduce a cat to a baby, but I know little about them.

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Luckily, I’m friends with Daniel QUAGLIOZZI, the go-to cat expert for many dog trainers, who agreed to share his extensive knowledge with us. 

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Enter: Cat behaviorist

Daniel is a cat behaviorist who frequently sees clients with little kids and cats. Daniel has worked for the San Francisco SPCA and San Francisco Animal Care and Control as a specialist in cat behavior. He’s been working with private clients, both remotely and in their homes. 

DQ has been featured in many magazines, invited to many podcasts, and appeared on Animal Planet’s “Why Do Animals Do That?”

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Cats and Newborns: What You Actually Need to Worry About (And What You Don’t)

Bringing Baby Home

If you’re pregnant and living with a cat—or two, or three—you’ve probably heard some alarming things.

“Cats will sit on your baby’s face and smother them.”
“Your cat will pee all over the baby’s things.”
“You’ll have to rehome your cat once the baby comes.”

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As a professional in the world of pets and babies, I hear these fears all the time. Some are based in truth, most are exaggerated, and almost all miss important context.

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So, let’s talk about what’s really important when you’re introducing a cat to your newborn, and how to set everyone up for success.

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The Truth About Cats and Cribs

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Let’s address the biggest fear first:

Will my cat get into the crib and sit on my baby’s face?

Cats are drawn to warm, soft spaces. And the crib—new, off-limits, and smelling like milk and skin—is a prime piece of real estate. But the idea of cats smothering babies is more myth than reality.

Still, caution is wise. We never want to leave a baby unattended with any animal, even a sweet and gentle cat. Not because we expect danger, but because we always plan for the unexpected.

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What helps:

• Always supervise cat and baby interactions, even if your cat seems uninterested.
• If your cat is obsessed with sleeping on you, assume they’ll want to sleep on the baby, too.
• Use securely fitted and breathable crib nets or covers* if you’re especially anxious. Please note that the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) advises against using items that could pose a suffocation or entrapment risk. If a crib net or cover is used, it should be made from breathable materials to ensure proper airflow and reduce the risk of suffocation. However, the AAP generally recommends avoiding such items unless they are specifically designed for safety.
• Offer your cat a better option nearby—like a heated cat bed, cozy blanket, or tall perch where they can observe without feeling excluded.

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The key is not constantly removing your cat and saying “no”—that only increases curiosity and stress. Give them a yes space instead.

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Cat Behavior After Baby Arrives: What Changes and Why

Even the chillest cats can get a little weird after a major life shift. And what’s more major than a new baby?

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Common cat reactions:

• Peeing on soft baby items like changing pads, bassinet sheets, or baby clothes.
• Hiding or avoiding the family entirely.
• Clinginess, vocalizing, or acting out for attention.
• Curiosity—lots of sniffing and exploring new items.
• Tension or redirected aggression toward other pets.

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It’s important to understand that cats aren’t acting out of spite. They're navigating change the only way they know how—with scent, behavior, and habit.

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Let’s Talk Pee (And Where It Doesn’t Belong)

If your cat starts urinating outside the litter box after the baby arrives, you're not alone. It’s one of the top concerns for cat owners with new babies.

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Why does it happen:

• Stress or insecurity from all the changes.
• Feeling displaced or ignored.
• Scent-marking new items that don’t yet “belong” to them.
• Litter box issues that were manageable before but are no longer.

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What you can do:

• Add litter boxes. One per cat, plus one extra, is ideal. Place them in accessible, socially relevant areas (not just basements or laundry rooms).
• Clean accidents thoroughly with an enzymatic cleaner to prevent re-marking.
• Change baby gear materials—try non-absorbent changing pads or bassinet liners.
• Use a pheromone diffuser like Feliway in shared spaces (a few days before baby arrives can help set a calming tone).
• Reinforce territory with scratch pads, perches, and scent-friendly zones.

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Cats need choices. When they feel limited or excluded, they’ll make their own decisions—often with unpleasant results.

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How to Introduce Your Cat to Your Newborn

If you’ve followed Dog Meets Baby for a while, you know how much I emphasize slow and planned introductions when it comes to dogs and babies. The same goes for cats.

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The key difference? Cats tend to dislike forced interactions even more than dogs do.

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What to avoid:

• Don’t carry the baby in and say, “Look who’s home!” while holding them up to your cat.
• Don’t force your cat to be in the same room.
• Don’t restrain or corner them to "sniff the baby."

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What to do instead:

• Let the cat approach on their terms. That could take days or weeks.
• Create positive associations with baby’s presence: treats, food puzzles, playtime.
• Let your cat explore baby items when the baby isn’t in them—cribs, carriers, blankets—so they’re not brand new or scary later.
• If your cat calmly observes or sniffs, reward them generously.

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You’re not trying to make your cat love the baby right away. You’re just helping them feel like, “This new little thing? No big deal.”

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“My Cat Seems Jealous” – What That Really Means

Jealousy in pets usually isn’t about the baby—it’s about losing you.

Cats are creatures of habit. If their daily routine involved cuddling on the couch at 8 PM, and that suddenly disappears, it’s a big deal to them.

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What helps:

• Keep routines where possible. Even 5 minutes of grooming or playtime each day can make a difference.
• Let your partner or another adult take over baby duty for a few minutes so you can reconnect with your cat.
• Create new rituals you can keep up with post-baby—morning treats, evening snuggles, mealtime chats.

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Many cats adjust beautifully once they feel seen and included again.

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What If My Cat Has a History of Aggression or Reactivity?

Some cats are more sensitive than others. If your cat has shown fear, overstimulation, or aggression in the past, the arrival of a baby can trigger those same behaviors.

Don’t panic. But do plan ahead.

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Key steps:

• Use gates, pens, or room separation to manage access.
• Let your cat observe safely from a distance.
• Reward calm interest and disengage from negative behavior without scolding.
• Be honest with yourself about your cat’s limits. Some cats may need more time, more space, or professional help to adjust.

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There’s no shame in managing long-term. Not every cat wants to be a child’s best friend —and that’s okay!

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Multiple Cats? You’ll Need a Strategy.

Multi-cat households add another layer of complexity. You may notice changes in your cats' relationships once the baby is home. This is especially true if:

• One cat is more confident or protective.
• One is anxious or avoids conflict.
• Resource tension increases (attention, food, space, scent).

Some cats might show redirected aggression—getting upset about the baby, then taking it out on a housemate. Others might start avoiding each other entirely.

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What helps:

• Give each cat their own space, resources, and attention.
• Monitor interactions closely in the early days.
• Use vertical spaces (cat trees, shelves) to help them spread out.
• If tension escalates, work with a cat behaviorist sooner rather than later.

You can’t always prevent conflict—but you can reduce it with management, enrichment, and patience.

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Baby Items That Attract Cats (And What to Do About It)

Certain baby items seem irresistible to cats:

• Pacifiers and teethers (they smell like spit-up and feel like toys).
• Soft changing mats.
• Stroller seats.
• Swaddles and blankets.

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Try this:

• Store tempting items out of reach.
• Choose materials that are less absorbent or less "cuddly."
• Distract your cat with other interesting textures or toys.
• Use baby gates, if needed, to block off nursery access when you're not around.

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Do Baby Sounds and Smells Bother Cats?

Some cats don’t seem to care. Others get spooked or confused by baby cries and new scents.

You can play baby sounds in advance and reward calm reactions with treats or food puzzles. Scent is often a bigger deal than sound.

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A helpful tip:
Let your cat sniff baby clothes, blankets, or burp cloths before baby comes home. Just don’t expect it to “prepare” them in the way people often think it will. It’s more about curiosity than conditioning.

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When to Get Help from a Behaviorist or Vet

There’s no shame in needing expert help—especially if your cat’s behavior is putting anyone’s safety or well-being at risk.

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‍You should reach out to a professional if:

• Your cat is showing signs of aggression or biting.
• There’s persistent peeing or pooping outside the litter box.
• You’re managing multiple complex behaviors and feeling overwhelmed.
• Your cat’s quality of life (or yours) has significantly decreased.

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A behaviorist can help you identify the why behind the behavior and create a step-by-step plan that fits your family.

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Final Thoughts: You Can Do This

Your cat may not love your baby right away. They may not even seem to notice. But most cats adjust just fine with time, management, and a little extra support from you.

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Here’s what I want you to remember:

• Supervise all interactions.
• Give your cat choices—don’t force introductions.
• Support their routine and enrichment needs.
• Have compassion. This is a significant change for everyone.
• And reach out for help if something feels off.

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Most importantly, know that you’re not doing anything wrong if things aren’t perfect. You’re learning a new rhythm—and so is your cat.

You’ve got this. 💛

xoxo,
Dominika

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Daniel QUAGLIOZZI contact information:

https://gocatgosf.com/

https://www.instagram.com/gocatgosf/

https://www.facebook.com/gocatgosf/

https://x.com/gocatgosf

https://www.tiktok.com/@gocatgosf

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Dog Trainer who also works with cats

Sonia Mahajan

@sonias_pawsitive_dog_training

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