My cats have been behaving badly since we've had a baby.

Question

I have a 16 month old daughter, and ever since we've brought her home, our two cats have turned into the biggest nuisances on the planet. They meow loudly all the time to be fed (I can't leave food out otherwise they eat till they throw up) and they have started scratching everything in site even though they have a multitude of scratching posts. Just today, I caught the male cat peeing in my closet on my shoes and I had just changed their litter box!

We are making sure they are getting attention and that they have their own comfy beds up high away from my daughter's reach, but nothing seems to work. My daughter does not chase them or harass them so I don't know what else to do.

They are 7 year old siblings (boy and girl) and they are indoor cats.

Answer 1

I would say you have a big problem with jealousy. They have been

the top cats in your life for so long and now this pink and white

noisy intruder comes along and is taking their place in your heart.

With regard to the male maybe you should check him for crystals

in his urine or a bladder infection. If it is not a health issue it means

he is totally p.o'd with you! literally!  Once your daughter is tucked away for a nap or at night I would play with them a bit give them treats and also cuddle them a lot. That should help reassure them that they

are still important to you. Also talk to them during the day. If they are used to having you home during the day they probably are used to that and now you are talking to the baby instead. Good luck!!

Answer 2

Your cats are most likely just jealous of your daughter. The reason he peed on your shoes is that he feels the need to mark his territory, or he could have a bladder infection. Another reasonfor all this might be that they are sick and are trying to tell you something's wrong. You might want to take hem to a vet. Good luck!

Answer 3

The cats behavior has changed because they are just not use to the owners showing love to some one elso but them They are very jealous. I know that your baby comes first then the cats but what you can do is make them seem like they come first to let them know they are still the boss.

Answer 4

Cats are very territorial so a new person in their territory is quite unsettling.

go here for some good info

http://www.safekids.co.uk/CatsAndBabiesO...

Answer 5

You need to try to establish some type of dominance concerning the cats, which is difficult to do as cats tend to go their own way in most things. So you need to be firm with them when they behave in ways you don't approve of and always be that way until they comply properly. If you had a room you could put them in by themselves when they misbehaved then that would be good, but with a child that would seem doubtful.

Answer 6

Jealousy and irritation.

Leave them alone as they want to.

They are jealous of your daughter.