Why Do Cats Attack Pregnant Women? The Claw-full Truth
You've probably heard that pregnant women should stay away from cats, but this isn't entirely accurate. However, why do cats attack expectant mothers? We'll attempt to respond to that in this article.
All pets are fascinating in their own particular way, but in my opinion, cats and dogs tie for the top spot. Okay, let me explain before you argue with me about that.
I should start by mentioning how smart they both are and how far they've come in interpreting our body language and detecting changes in our mood. They are also very devoted animals who would sacrifice anything for their owners.
But I'll stop now because it would take too long to continue talking about them. Let's return to our original subject.
Table Of Contents:
1 Why do cats attack expectant mothers?
1.1 1. She exhibits behavioral problems
1.2 2.She feels unheard.
1.3 3. She doesn’t like change
1.4 4. She is defending what is hers.
1.5 5. She’s afraid and anxious
1.6 6. She’s stressed
1.7 7. She was mistreated in the past
2 What’s up with petting aggression?
3 How to prevent a cat from attacking a pregnant woman?
4 Bottom line
Why do cats attack expectant mothers?
If you're expecting a child, family and friends have probably already questioned your decision to keep Duchess. You ARE aware that cats can harm pregnant women, right?
But why on earth would your normally friendly cat suddenly start attacking you while you were pregnant? Do you believe she feels in danger?
What if she feels like everything is about to change for the worse and that everything in her life will now be turned upside down? Why has your pet's behavior changed? Let's investigate!
She exhibits behavioral problems:
Animals can exhibit behavioral problems, and it's possible that your cat is one of them. Usually.
The causes of these unexpected behavioral shifts are hard to pin down, and cat aggression is particularly challenging to comprehend. Nobody knows when it will occur or who the target will be.
Cats can sense changes, though, and they don't like it when something is about to change, like when their owner becomes pregnant.
On the other hand, some of them might develop strong protective tendencies toward their expectant owners and refuse to allow anyone close.
Therefore, how they respond will solely depend on how other felines react.
She might become a little (or a lot) aggressive, so you need to find a way to stop it before it gets out of hand.
She feels unheard.:
Even though they aren't people, our cats have feelings. So, why do cats attack pregnant women, do you ask? If I told you that it might be because they feel neglected and ignored, would you believe me?
Cats find it extremely difficult to accept the fact that they won't be the only object of admiration in the house when their owners become pregnant.
Now that little person will have your full attention, perhaps even all of it (especially if this isn't the first family addition).
If your cat is not getting as much attention as she usually does, she might do anything to get it back.
She may therefore decide to attack you at night or while you are sleeping during the day. Your pet might itch.
She doesn’t like change:
If it wasn't already obvious, cats don't like change, which is one of the reasons they attack pregnant women.
The cat might not like what she sees and senses, or she might be sending a different vibe now that her pregnancy hormones are out of control.
Maybe you used to enjoy your morning coffee and cuddles with your pet. You find yourself suddenly in the bathroom throwing away last night's dinner due to morning sickness. That is sufficient for your pet to realize that something is wrong.
It's not because your cat hates you for being pregnant that she attacks you while you're carrying a baby.
The fact that your body is changing, you are changing, and her routine is changing has her feeling rather irritated.
And no, it doesn't necessarily follow that she'll be cruel to your child because of this.
So, keep an eye on your cat's behavior. Something might not be right if you notice that she is avoiding your gaze, hissing at you, or attempting to scratch you.
Additionally, she might start urinating indoors and experience digestive issues. She is getting ready for the attack, so if you see any of these symptoms, act right away.
She is defending what is hers.:
She should always be the one to defend her domain, right? Her favorite spot in your house is a place from which she can observe her entire surroundings and respond if a stranger enters.She also rubs something to make it obvious that it is hers, am I correct?
Well, it's still the same now. Cats actually defend their territory when they attack expectant mothers.
Soon her home will come under the control of another person. She does this to ensure that everyone is aware of the boundaries.
Those days when you start to set up the baby's room could see changes in her behavior.
It's obvious that things she doesn't understand are encroaching on her territory. She might become irate because you're emitting pheromones that are different from what she's used to.
She’s afraid and anxious:
Cats frequently experience fear and anxiety when their surroundings change, so this is another reason they might attack a pregnant woman.
Your cat might assume that you are spending too much time with another cat when you don't "smell" like yourself.
She may become hostile if she has abandonment issues because her anxiety will overwhelm her.
She might think your apartment is too small for the two of you if you previously commuted to work every morning but are now staying home.
She must then find a way out of the situation where she feels trapped.
In this instance, fear is what prompts her aggression. Pay attention to hissing, spitting, dilated pupils, and of course, the occasional scratch. These are typical signs that your cat may be having issues and asks for your assistance.
She’s stressed:
As we have already established, these furry babies are extremely perceptive and will notice any changes in their environment.
Cats start acting differently as a result, even to the point where they might suddenly attack expectant mothers.
Cats are not good at handling stressful situations; they either fight or run away. Given that you are reading this, it is obvious that yours selected option 1.
Some cats will become upset and hostile toward the person causing stress—in this case, you—when confronted with danger (or change.
Keep your cool and refrain from yelling at her. She will only retaliate even more violently as a result of your efforts.
Don't be afraid to seek out professional assistance if you are unable to manage this behavior on your own.
She was mistreated in the past:
Last but not least, because of past neglect, cats may attack expectant mothers. Because she was raised by a woman who was expecting and mistreated her, she might feel justified in attacking you.
She perceives a threat, so she is actually defending herself in this way. Make sure to avoid your cat during your pregnancy if you ever find yourself in a situation like this.
I am aware that this might be challenging, especially if you two have developed a lovely bond.
But you must also understand that you are not the only one targeted for attack as a result of this.
She will attack whenever she feels threatened because her instincts are telling her to defend herself. Keep an eye on your cat's behavior and ask a professional for help if necessary.
What’s up with petting aggression?
When your hormones are out of control and you're in need of your favorite furry friend to comfort you, news that your cat attacked a pregnant woman wasn't what you needed to hear. If only she would purr while lying on your lap and being gently stroked...
Petting aggression manifests when your cat feels as though you have injured her in some way.
When combined with a pregnant woman's hormones, an attack is all but guaranteed. Move your hand to save yourself if you see her flicking her tail or lowering her ears.
If she bit you or scratched you, it was probably because you touched the no-zone. Particularly while pregnant, try to stay away from those areas.
Constant petting could result in overstimulation or agitation, and since you might be a little more "needy" as a future mother (thanks, hormones! ), this might be simple to do.
Unfortunately, there is such a thing as petting her excessively, and this could make her hostile.
Instead of petting her belly (most cats dislike that), try petting her head and neck. Some felines also have a no-touch zone on the rest of their bodies.
How to prevent a cat from attacking a pregnant woman?
Let's figure out how to stop it now that we know why cats attack pregnant women.
Initially, while you are expecting or caring for a newborn, try to keep your cat inside. She won't stop attacking you, to be honest, but at least she won't be exposed to any other stressful situations, and you'll stop her from injuring other people.
Try to discipline her and encourage her when she behaves well and completes her tasks. Give her some simple cookies and dry cat food, or try some nutritious human food like celery, broccoli, or spinach.
Avoid reprimanding her for misbehavior because doing so might make her feel even more threatened.
Make sure she has enough room to move around while eating, sleeping, or using the restroom. You can prevent her territorial aggression by doing this.
If your cat attacked a pregnant woman in the past, try separating her from people until you can tell she's ready to be around them once more.
Food is kept out of her reach and in closed cabinets, so she must go hunting and expend energy to catch her "prey." Finally, if all else fails, use some unpleasant odors to get her attention.
She won't be able to enter any areas that she shouldn't. Use this tactic to train her to avoid the sofa you spend the most time on if you want her to avoid it.
Just make sure that these sprays don't contain any harmful additives. Give her enough food and water, and try to keep her out of the rooms where you spend most of your time.
FINAL THOUGHTS:
There you have it, then. I hope you now have a better understanding of why cats attack pregnant women.
If you have a sneaking suspicion that something is off, watch how she acts. The best way to actually stop another attack is to respond quickly and keep an eye on her.
We also covered some advice on how to put a stop to your cat's aggressive behavior. Basically, keep her occupied, amused, and fed. To keep her cheerful, get her some feather toys, balls, and tasty food.
If you abide by these recommendations, your cat is unlikely to attack a pregnant woman again, so you won't need to worry about it. Anyway, good luck and remember not to "over-love" your pet!
Tags:
cats behavior