Cat Training and Behavior (Domestic and Feral)/Cat rebeling during pregnancy

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Expert: Dear Tabbi - 10/28/2008


Question
I have two cats one I have had for 7 years and one for two.  They are both litter box trained and I have never had any problems.  I am three months pregnant and the young one starting using the bathroom on the carpet. I cleaned the box twice a day and made sure she always had fresh litter.  She wouldn't stop so my husband gave her away a couple days ago.  This morning I woke up and found poop on the carpet from the older one as well.  It is like they are rebeling and I don't know what to do.  PLEASE help... I am still heartbroken from losing my little one..I can not lose another.
thank you,
jessica

Answer
Jessica,

You are not alone! Yours is the 2nd question I had today from a pregnant woman who is having litterbox issues with her cats.

Cats sense when there is something different going on in the household and react like your cats did when it upsets them.

Here are some good links to read about dealing with cats and babies:
(copy and paste, or type, the whole link into your address bar)

http://www.sthuberts.org/petpouri/articles/catmeetsbaby.asp

http://westwoodanimalhospital.com/BhvArticles/Infants,%20Children,%20And%20Cats....

http://www.petplace.com/cats/helping-your-cat-and-new-baby-get-along/page1.aspx

I hope this helps.

Tabbi

Cat Training and Behavior (Domestic and Feral)

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Dear Tabbi

Expertise

My expertise is in helping people understand their cat (or cats) and their behavior. Questions are welcome even if you don't have a cat....just a question about them. Hopefully my experience, suggestions, and comments will be of help to you...and your cat (or cats). Looking through my past responses to questions will give you additional information and/or answers too. Domestic Cats = cats (no matter what breed) who are tame or not wild, or abandoned cats who were pets that became wild, but can be tamed again. Ferals = cats who are born with one or more parents who were wild stray cats. They usually have had no interactions with people. They have an inbred distrust of humans and are difficult to socialize. They are skittish, hide, and are afraid of people. They take a lot of time and patience to work with them. A lot of kittens from shelters had a feral parent.

Experience

Since I was a child, over 45 years, I have been owned by a LOT of cats and kittens of almost every temperament, behavior, and personality. I have had experience with neurotic, disabled (including blind), stray, and 'problem child' cats and kittens. (A few normal cats too!) Plus all the things a lifetime of owning cats and research has taught me. I also have experience in feral cat behavior (which is different from domestic cats), and some experience with feral colonies that includes colony feeding and feral cat TNR (trap/neuter/release).

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