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Many cats are well-behaved around pregnant people, particularly those they consider part of their family. But every now and then, some may become less friendly towards those expecting. Cats are exposed to new smells, routines, and products when their owner is expecting. Some cats don’t react well to environmental changes, becoming stressed or anxious, which can lead to changes in their behavior, and sometimes even, although rarely, aggressive behavior. Keep reading to learn more about why cats sometimes attack pregnant people.
The 5 Possible Reasons Cats Attack Pregnant Women
1. They’re Feeling Neglected
Some cats that are closely bonded and attached to their human companions may develop anxiety when not receiving enough attention. It is linked to new household routines that sometimes mean cats aren’t getting cuddles and playtime in the ways and at the times they expect.
Cats are creatures of habit that can be easily stressed when things don’t go as usual, and they can be exquisitely sensitive to even minor changes. While it may seem as if your cat is still getting lots of love and attention, they may be expecting attention at times when they’re no longer getting it.
2. They’re Sensing Scent Changes
Cats have incredibly sharp senses of smell. They can sniff out subtle scents that humans don’t have enough scent receptors to pick up or interpret. Cats can most likely pick up on scent changes that accompany pregnancy, which may cause them a degree of stress.
Cats primarily rely on scent to recognize each other. They also use smell to identify familiar environments and people. Due to pregnancy, their person’s old comforting scent is now different.
3. They’re Scared
Stress and anxiety can lead to fear-based aggression in cats. Pets who are anxious about changes and insecure can bite and strike out when not feeling comfortable. Other signs to look out for that may indicate feline anxiety include lack of appetite, hiding, reduced activity, and avoiding contact with the pregnant person. It’s important to note that these signs can also indicate an underlying medical issue. Because illness and stress can look very similar in cats, any sudden behavioral or appetite changes should be evaluated by a veterinarian before assuming they are purely behavioral.
4. They Have Behavioral Issues
Many cats are perfectly mellow when feeling secure and content, but have underlying behavioral issues that can manifest under stressful conditions. Cats often pick up on and respond to their loved one’s stress levels. If you’re worried or concerned, your cat may be picking up on and adapting to your emotions as well as reacting to changes in your household.
Other signs of feline stress and anxiety include excessive grooming and hiding. These problems may often become manageable once cats start feeling comfortable once again, but if they persist, it’s crucial to reach out to a vet or a certified animal behaviorist.
5. They’re Unhappy About Environmental Changes
Cats often become stressed by environmental changes, such as being excluded from rooms they previously had access to, which can lead to them feeling insecure and anxious.
Increasing your cat’s overall level of comfort may help them feel more secure and at home, which may lead to reduced territoriality.
The 4 Ways to Improve the Bond With Your Feline
One of the ways to prevent or reduce potential feline undesirable behaviors and even mild aggression is to take a few preventative steps ahead of time to improve the bond with your cat, to help your cat acclimate to new routines, and to ensure they don’t feel left out by the changes going on around the house. Simply ignoring the undesirable behavior and rewarding the calm and relaxed interactions through positive reinforcement are ways to start managing the issue.
Below are a few tips to help your cat hit their groove again, in case of mild behavioral changes and undesirable behaviors. However, if your cat is attacking you for no apparent reason, please reach out to a vet in order to rule out underlying health issues. They may point you towards a certified feline behaviorist next if the issue isn’t medical.
1. Take Mealtime Changes Slowly
Pregnancy often results in joy, happiness, anticipation, and changes in household duties. Make any alterations to your cat’s mealtime routine slowly to give them time to adapt. Start by allowing a family member to feed your cat and take care of your cat’s litter. If they feed the cat at the same time every day and spend time playing with them, your cat may begin to feel more comfortable with the change and redirect some of their focus, which can help reduce stress-related or undesirable behaviors.
2. Create Dedicated Bonding Time
Dedicated bonding time can go a long way to ensure cats don’t feel left out or neglected. While it’s often impossible to continue your routine when pregnant, you can adapt a new schedule to spend time with your cat. Cats love routines, so try to play with your cat and spend time with it at the same time every day.
3. Let Your Cat Take the Lead
Cats often prefer to take the lead when it comes to human interaction. Speak to your cat softly and move slowly when approaching. Consider giving them a boop (finger-nose-nose greeting) if that’s something they usually like—it’s a sweet, pressure-free way to let your cat know you’d like to pet it. However, if your cat is uninterested in interacting, that’s okay too.
4. Give Your Cat a Feline-Friendly Space
Many things change in the days leading up to the arrival of a new baby. Cats are often restricted from future nursery areas they were once permitted to explore, which can increase your cat’s sense of being excluded. Consider creating a feline paradise in another room for your cat where they can retreat and relax.
You can add vertical perches, such as cat trees and shelves, and have toys and places for your buddy to hide. Many cats become anxious around crying babies, so having a place to escape when they become overwhelmed can keep them calm and reassured. Modifying your home ahead of your baby’s arrival gives your cat plenty of time to become accustomed to using their room as a retreat before the big day.
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Conclusion
Some cats may have trouble adjusting to changes, and almost everything involving babies fits the bill. When cats become stressed due to new routines, they may sometimes become aggressive, even toward those they love. Because pregnant women go through a lot of body changes, their altered scents sometimes don’t provide a reassuring and familiar sense of comfort to some cats, which, alongside changes in the household and routines, may lead to stress.
Featured Image Credit: Zhuravlev Andrey, Shutterstock
