How To Introduce Your Maine Coon Cat To A New Baby
When I had my second baby, our first Maine Coon (Pippin) was already well-established within our household, having been raised alongside our toddler.
Despite knowing Pippin was gentle and careful with our firstborn, I was uncertain how he would react to a new baby entering our home. Would he get jealous?
To introduce a Maine Coon to a baby, start with supervised interactions in a controlled setting. Maintain the cat’s routine to minimize stress. Additionally, introduce the baby’s scent to the cat gradually to familiarize them. Positive associations between the cat and the baby are crucial for a successful introduction.
I spent many hours researching the potential risks and dangers that might arise as I’m a natural worrier and organizer! Keep reading to discover the essential tips I learned.
How To Introduce Your Maine Coon Cat To A New Baby
When introducing a Maine Coon to a baby, start slowly with supervised interactions in a controlled environment. Familiarize the cat with the baby’s scent by using items the baby has touched, i.e. their socks.
Maintain the cat’s routine to reduce stress, and create positive associations between the cat and the baby through treats and praise. Always prioritize safety and supervise all interactions closely.
Known for their gentle giant nature, laid-back attitude, and family-friendly demeanor, the Maine Coon cat breed is considered an ideal companion for children and families.
However, when introducing a new baby into a household with a Maine Coon, parents must monitor the cat’s behavior closely, looking for signs of stress or anxiety in the cat’s demeanor.
While they may not necessarily switch to “stranger-danger” mode, they could exhibit stress or anxiety if the introduction is not handled properly.
Here’s how I prepared Pippin my male Maine Coon cat for the arrival of a second child in our home:
1. Gradual Introduction
To gradually introduce your cat to the baby’s environment, involve them in the nursery preparation process!
Allow your cat to explore the nursery as you decorate, as this helps them become familiar with the new sights and smells.
If you’re not keen on the cat sitting or sleeping on the baby’s changing table or bed, place scrunched-up foil, or sticky tape on these surfaces as a deterrent.
These household items help the cat associate the area with an unpleasant sensation and deter them from using it as a resting spot.
Start exposing the cat to baby-related scents, such as baby lotion or powder, and sounds, like recordings of a baby crying or cooing, well before the baby’s arrival. This helps familiarize the cat with the new stimuli.
2. Maintain Routines
Maintaining the cat’s routine involves keeping their daily schedule as consistent as possible, even amidst the changes associated with a new baby.
This includes:
- Feeding them at the same times each day
- Engaging in regular play sessions
- Ensuring they have uninterrupted sleep periods
Consistency provides a sense of security and familiarity for the cat, helping to minimize stress and anxiety during the adjustment period.
It’s essential to prioritize the cat’s needs and maintain their routine to promote a smooth transition and overall well-being.
3. If You Need To Change Your Routines, Do This In Advance!
Sometimes you cannot avoid changing your cat’s routine, so if this situation sounds familiar, gradually adjust household routines in advance.
I started by changing feeding and playtime schedules to match the anticipated baby’s routine, helping my cat adapt to different meal times and periods of activity.
I also introduced new furniture and baby-related items gradually, allowing my cat to explore and become familiar with them over time.
In advance of my due date, I worked on establishing new boundaries for my cat, such as keeping the nursery door closed and reinforcing the idea that certain areas were off-limits.
Consistency was key, so I maintained regular routines and provided plenty of reassurance as my Maine Coon adjusted to the changes.
4. Provide A Safe Space For The Cat
I created safe spaces for my cat Pippin to ensure he felt comfortable and secure, especially during the adjustment period when our second baby arrived.
I designated quiet ‘safe’ corners of the house for him and equipped these spaces with cozy pet beds, like these, or cat trees, where Pippin could retreat if he needed peace.
These safe spaces remained undisturbed by other household members, including the new baby, to maintain the cat’s sense of safety and well-being.
5. Positive Reinforcement Around Your Baby
To help my Maine Coon adjust positively to the changes associated with the arrival of our baby, I utilized positive reinforcement techniques.
Whenever my cat exhibited calm and relaxed behavior around baby-related items or during supervised interactions with the baby, I praised and rewarded him with treats or affection.
This positive association helped my cat associate the baby with pleasant experiences.
Additionally, I ensured that my cat had plenty of attention and affection, even after the baby arrived, to prevent feelings of neglect or jealousy.
6. Supervised Interactions Around New Baby
Supervised interactions between my cat, Pippin, and the baby were a top priority for us.
We made sure to always be present during their interactions, especially in the beginning.
I encouraged gentle and calm interactions, ensuring that both Pippin and the baby felt comfortable and safe around each other.
Whenever I noticed any signs of stress or aggression from Pippin, I intervened immediately to prevent any potential conflicts or misunderstandings.
It was essential to create a positive and harmonious environment for both my cat and the baby to foster a strong bond between them.
7. Introduce The Newborn Babies Scent (If Possible)
I didn’t leave the hospital straight away when my second baby was born, as I’d had major abdominal surgery. This turned out to be a blessing because it gave my husband time to introduce our cat to our baby’s scent.
He took items of clothing that our baby wore in the hospital home and let Pippin acclimatize to them, thereby exposing our cat to the baby’s scent so that he became familiar with it.
This gradual exposure helped to desensitize our cat to the scent, reducing any potential anxiety or stress when the baby arrived. It also allowed our cat to associate the smell with positive experiences, reinforcing a positive association with the baby.
How Do Maine Coons Act Around Babies?
Maine Coon cats are known for their gentle and sociable nature, and many can form close bonds with babies and children.
While they may not exhibit protective behavior in the same way that dogs do, Maine Coons often display a nurturing and watchful attitude toward infants.
They may show curiosity about the baby and even attempt to investigate or monitor them from a distance.
However, each cat’s temperament varies, and some Maine Coons may be more aloof or cautious around babies.
Stages Of Cat Bonding With Newborn Baby
There are 7 stages of cat bonding with a newborn baby (source 1):
1. Fear
Your Maine Coon cat will exhibit this by hiding when the baby is around, then slowly peeking out to assess the situation.
Gradually, as they get accustomed to the baby, they will come out more often and even start approaching your baby, getting nearer each time, sniffing them, and even licking them!
2. Learning To Share
Your Maine Coon may try to get into your baby’s crib when the baby’s not in it.
They might also try to play with the new baby’s toys, attempting to share space with your newborn baby as if it were their own space.
Do not scold or punish them for this behavior. Instead, pet them and speak gently and friendly to them, especially if you need to remove them from the crib.
3. Tolerating The Tiny Human!
During this stage, your Maine Coon cat gets comfortable being near and sharing the same space with your newborn. They have accepted the baby as part of their home environment.
4. Grooming The Tiny Human
Your Maine Coon might start trying to take care of the new baby as if they were a kitten. This could involve your cat licking the baby to groom them.
5. Trust Napping
Your Maine Coon will look comfortable napping with your baby side by side, and won’t be phased if the baby wakes up and starts kicking their legs around.
If you witness this, your cat has accepted your baby and developed trust in them.
6. Separation Anxiety
Your Maine Coon might get attached to your baby!
They will look for them when your baby is not in sight, and may even scratch the door to attempt to get close to the baby if on the other side of the door.
How To Keep Your Cat Out Of The Baby Crib
Here are some ways to discourage your cat from entering the new baby crib when you’re not around:
- Crib Tent: Install a crib tent, a mesh cover that encloses the crib to prevent the cat from entering while still allowing airflow. Make sure it meets safety standards.
- Scent Deterrents: Cats dislike certain scents like citrus or menthol. Place cotton balls soaked in these scents around the crib’s perimeter.
- Motion Sensors: Install motion-activated devices near the crib that spray air, or flash a light when triggered by the cat’s movement, deterring them from approaching.
- Double-Sided Tape: Apply double-sided tape along the crib’s edges or on surfaces the cat uses to access the crib. Cats dislike the sticky sensation and will avoid it.
- Aluminum Foil: Cover the crib mattress with aluminum foil when not in use. Cats dislike the texture and noise it produces when stepped on.
- Closed Doors: Keep the nursery door closed when the baby is sleeping to prevent the cat from entering. Ensure the door has a secure latch to prevent accidental opening.
- Set Up A Perch: Install a perch or bed for your cat on the other side of the room, away from the crib.
Conclusion
Introducing our Maine Coon, Pippin, to our new bundle of joy was an adventure!
We started by letting him explore the nursery as we decorated, even using crinkly foil to deter him from sleeping on the changing table – don’t ask me why, but I freaked out having cat fur all over my new baby!
Pippin’s curiosity led to some comical moments like him trying to ‘help’ with diaper changes.
With patience, positive reinforcement, and lots of supervised interactions, Pippin soon became the best big brother a baby could ask for!
