Can Cats Tell When You’re Pregnant
You’ve probably heard the old wives’ tale that cats can sense when a woman is pregnant. And it’s true! Cats are very good at spotting changes in their environment and even people who don’t know them well can pick up on some behavioral differences. If you’re planning to get pregnant soon, read on for more information about how your cat might react to the change in her environment.
There are a lot of myths about cats and pregnancy.
There are many myths about cats and pregnancy. For example, some people believe that cats can sense when a woman is pregnant; others think they can tell when she’s ovulating. Some say cats can sense when a woman is menstruating and even predict the onset of labor. Others think that cats can tell when a woman is lactating—and some think they even know how far along in her pregnancy she is!
The truth, however, is that there’s no scientific evidence to support any of these claims. Cats aren’t equipped with the sensory mechanisms required to detect such complex information from their environments as hormonal changes in humans or other species.
Cats might act differently around the pregnant woman.
Cats are very sensitive to the owner’s moods and emotions, and they can pick up on subtle changes in your behavior. While there isn’t sufficient research to conclusively prove that cats can sense an expectant mother’s pregnancy, some studies have found that they respond differently to pregnant women than they do to non-pregnant women.
Some have discovered that cats act more affectionate towards their owners when they’re pregnant, while others have found the opposite: cats were less affectionate towards their owners during this time. Other studies have noted that pregnant women report their pets are more protective of them or even territorial around other people. There is also evidence suggesting that animals’ aggressive tendencies increase during pregnancy–cats may become more defensive around strangers or react strongly to sudden movements by other people around them.
Cats are also curious creatures who love exploring new things–even something as tiny as a growing belly! So it’s possible your cat will be interested in investigating your pregnant body if he hasn’t already done so (and if he hasn’t already been hiding under the bed).
Don’t worry about the toxoplasmosis myth.
While you should definitely avoid handling or eating raw meat or drinking unpasteurized milk while pregnant, your cat won’t give you a parasite (unless she poops in your mouth).
Toxoplasmosis is a serious concern for pregnant women, but not because of cats. The parasite can be transmitted to the unborn baby through its mother’s placenta, causing birth defects like blindness and mental retardation. Toxoplasmosis usually isn’t dangerous for adults unless they have compromised immune systems, but because it can be transmitted through cat feces as well as other means (like eating undercooked meat), many doctors recommend that pregnant women avoid contact with cats altogether during pregnancy.
If your doctor recommends that you get rid of your cat so that she doesn’t get toxoplasmosis from her litter box and pass it along to you via her mouth or fur (which would then infect your unborn child), don’t listen! Your kitty is not giving anyone anything—and all these precautions are just myths propagated by people who want an excuse to get rid of their pets
Watch out for cat bites and scratches.
If you’re pregnant, watch out for cat bites and scratches. Cats are more likely to bite when they are stressed or in pain, but they may also be feeling playful. If a cat is in the mood to roughhouse with someone, it’s best not to take this as an invitation to play with them: they may bite when they’re just being playful or if they feel threatened by your presence.
If a cat bites you while you’re pregnant or breastfeeding (and even if the litter box isn’t changed often enough), consider bringing in another cat or two as companionship for yours—this can help prevent stress-related behaviors like biting and scratching.
Keep your cat’s vaccinations up to date.
As a cat owner, you should be aware that cats need vaccinations to stay healthy. Vaccinations can protect humans from diseases like feline leukemia virus (FeLV), which is spread by saliva and respiratory secretions. They can also protect other cats from diseases such as rabies, distemper, calicivirus and panleukopenia. Cats have an impact on wildlife populations because they hunt for prey animals and are predators themselves. Kittens need vaccinations in their first year of life to protect them from these diseases until they develop their own immunity through exposure to viruses that cause the diseases in question. If you have other pets at home then they could be vulnerable too; vaccines reduce the risk of your pet contracting dangerous illnesses that could spread throughout your household if left unchecked.
Consider getting your cat spayed or neutered before you get pregnant.
It’s important to consider spaying or neutering your cat before you get pregnant, because cats can get pregnant at:
- 5 months of age
- 8 months of age
- 1 year old (at the earliest)
- 2 years old (at the earliest)
- 3 years old (at the earliest)
They may not know it, but they’ll probably pick up on some changes in your behavior.
Don’t worry, you’re not crazy. Your cat really can sense that something is going on with your body. They might not know exactly what it is, but they’ll probably pick up on some changes in your behavior that signal to them that there’s something different about the environment around them.
- Cats can sense changes in their owner’s body: One of the ways a cat picks up on these subtle shifts is by being able to “smell” them (in addition to seeing and hearing). A pregnant woman’s body produces hormones during pregnancy that are passed through her sweat glands onto her skin. These chemicals are secreted into small amounts of perspiration—you may notice it as a faint odor or taste when you lick your hands after washing them or holding baby wipes—and this scent can be detected by animals such as dogs and cats who have an especially well-developed sense of smell (though less so than humans).
- Cats can sense changes in their owner’s mood: Pregnancy hormones affect our moods too; for many women this means feeling more irritable or anxious than usual at times. Coupled with other behavioral cues from an owner like increased energy level or increased tendency toward tears when watching certain movies, these feelings can make life difficult for pets who might otherwise enjoy spending time with their owners outside of work hours!
If you’re pregnant, your cat will probably pick up on some changes in your behavior. They may not know it, but they’ll probably pick up on some changes in your behavior. My advice? Don’t worry too much about the toxoplasmosis myth. Just keep your cat up to date on her vaccinations and consider getting her spayed or neutered before you start trying for kids.
