As any proud parent of both a cat and a baby, you’re likely to wonder: do cats know what babies are? After all, some of our furry friends may seem to have an affinity for the little ones, while others tend to stay at a safe distance. The question of whether or not cats really understand what babies are hasn’t been extensively researched by scientists, so we can’t assume that cats fully appreciate what a baby is, besides it being another living being.
For more insight into this curious question, let’s look at some anecdotes behind cats and their attitudes towards babies.
How Do Cats Feel About Babies – Anecdotes
Anecdotally, some cat owners have noticed that cats may act differently around babies than they do when with adults or older children. Observations show that some cats may become more alert or display increased levels of curiosity when in the presence of an infant, due to the unfamiliar sounds and smell. Some cats even become more affectionate toward the baby, while others find the baby scary and unpredictable with sudden crying and body movements.
Cats may not understand that the baby is their owner’s offspring or even a human as such. More likely, it’s believed they acknowledge its presence like they would another pet in the home. Some may find them interesting and enjoy spending time around them, if they are particularly attached to their owners, while others keep their distance.
How Do Cats React to Newborn Babies: Separating Fact from Fiction
You’ve probably heard at some point in your life that cats are a threat to the well-being and safety of infants. Old wives’ tales exist that warn of cats sitting on newborn babies’ faces to smother them out of jealousy.
The truth of the matter, however, is that it’s very unlikely that a cat would purposefully attempt to harm a baby. However, just lying next to a baby or on top of it, as a source of warmth, may cause injuries to the baby or worse, so it’s important to be vigilant and supervise the way these two interact. Sudden and unpredictable movements from the baby may encourage the cat’s instinct to play or imitate prey, or their crying may scare the cat, who may resort to scratching or biting as a natural response.
In light of this revelation, where did this myth come from? There are apparently historical accounts of cats smothering newborns, but the truth seems to be far less sinister. Most likely, cats were attracted to the warmth and smell of the baby, so they snuggled up close out of curiosity or warmth.
But because newborns are physically incapable of turning over, it’s much more likely that they were just stuck in an uncomfortable position than that the cat was actively trying to harm them.
With that said, it is very dangerous to leave a baby unattended with a cat, as cats may accidentally bite or scratch an infant. But even more importantly, there is a potential risk of accidental smothering due to the baby’s inability to move and a cat’s proclivity to snuggle up next to anything warm.
Conclusion
Cats probably have some understanding of what babies are, but it is unlikely to be in any complex way. They may find infants interesting and seek their company for warmth and curiosity over strange smells and sounds, as well as unpredictable movements, which requires constant supervision. It’s up to you as the cat’s owner to make sure that your cat and baby coexist in a safe and harmonious environment.
When done right, cats and babies can form a special bond that will last for many years to come, keeping both of them safe from accidental harm.
Featured Image Credit: Sharomka, Shutterstock
How Do Cats Feel About Babies – Anecdotes
