Cats get clingy when you’re pregnant.
So, if you’re expecting a baby and your kitty’s acting weird, don’t worry; most cats behave the same way around their favorite pregnant human.
Animal behaviorists suggest your kitty knows when you’re expecting a baby, as they sense changes in your hormones.
Sometimes, they can tell you’re pregnant before you. And once your kitten becomes aware of your pregnancy, they get more clingy and protective over you.
This article will teach you about cats and their behavior around pregnant women, and why your cat won’t leave you alone, so let’s dive right in.
Can Cats Sense Pregnancy?
Animal behavior specialists say cats can sense when you’re pregnant. However, there’s no real proof backing up their claims. Still, many pregnant owners report a change in behavior in their cats.
Cats can sense pregnancy in people by their hormones, body temperature, and new behavior in the early stages of pregnancy. Moreover, kittens have super hearing, so it’s believed they can detect a fetal heartbeat.
Below, I will discuss how cats know you’re pregnant in detail. So, if you’re interested in learning how your feline knew you were pregnant, probably before you did, take a look.
Hormonal Changes
The female body undergoes hormonal changes before, during, and after pregnancy. And cats can pick up on those changes.
The hormones that spike shortly after conception include estrogen and progesterone.
In fact, women produce more estrogen while pregnant than they produce for the rest of their life. The increase in estrogen helps create blood vessels in the placenta that supply the fetus with nutrients.
Progesterone, on the other hand, helps loosen the mother’s joints so the baby has enough space and forms properly.
Although people can’t sense these hormonal changes in pregnant women, cats can because of their strong sense of smell. In fact, kittens have about 15 times stronger smell than people, thanks to the 200 million scent receptor cells in their noses.
Simply put, they can sense even the smallest changes in scent. And since hormone levels also change the person’s body scent, cats can tell you’re having a baby even before your pregnancy test.
Behavioral Changes
Cats can pick up on behavioral changes in their favorite humans.
They’re great at reading the body language of people. So, if you’re content, your cat will know. The same goes for depression. If you’re feeling down, your cat will sense your sadness.
And if you’re expecting a baby, you’ve guessed it… your cat will know.
In the early stages of pregnancy, women experience severe mood swings because of their hormonal changes. Some women also have morning sickness and can feel tired, so your loved ones will care for you throughout your pregnancy.
Moreover, if you had difficulty getting pregnant or your pregnancy was unexpected, you can also experience depression, anxiety, and stress.
Your cat can pick up on these changes and sense your pregnancy. Lastly, your cat can determine what’s going on inside your body by your body posture.
I said kitties don’t have a sixth sense for detecting pregnancy; however, considering all these changes they can notice in pregnant women, they definitely seem like they have a sixth sense.
Increased Body Temperature
Most women experience changes in their temperature during the first trimester.
Their fluctuating hormone levels raise their temperature. They pump up the blood flow, then the increased blood flow then speeds up their metabolism by 20%, causing a rise between 98.6-99 degrees Fahrenheit in their temperature.
Although cats can’t notice these changes, cats know when their favorite human has a different body scent.
Moreover, felines have a naturally higher core body temperature than people (about 102 degrees Fahrenheit). So, they’re drawn toward bodies of heat; that’s why kitties enjoy sleeping by radiators.
And that’s probably why your feline sleeps on your lap when you’re pregnant. When you’re pregnant, your body radiates heat and attracts your cat’s attention.
You may think your kitty acts clingy because you’re pregnant, but your cat probably sleeps in your bed because of your increased temperature.
Your Unborn Baby’s Heartbeat
Cats have a great sense of smell. That’s why they detect changes in your scent. However, they also have excellent hearing that’s way over the average human hearing range, so they can hear different sounds people probably can’t.
The ears of cats have extra folds inside that help amplify sounds. Therefore, they can probably hear your future baby’s heartbeat.
As your babies become bigger and stronger, their heartbeat gets louder.
So, your cat will eventually hear your baby’s heartbeat. However, it’s still unclear at what exact moment of the pregnancy they can tell there’s a baby inside your belly.
It’s more likely that your cat will detect the changes above before they can hear your baby’s heart inside your stomach.
Do Cats Get More Affectionate When You Are Pregnant?
Your cat probably can sense you’re pregnant by your hormonal changes, behavioral changes, increased body temperature, posture, and your baby’s heartbeat.
However, have you ever wondered how sensing your pregnancy changes your cat’s behavior? Cat behaviorists claim cats act differently around pregnant women.
Some cats react well when they sense their owner carrying a child, while others bite and attack their favorite human.
In other words, some felines become more clingy and needy than normal. Moreover, cats can become obsessed with pregnant women. Other cats can bite their pregnant owner and act more aggressively.
Here’s a short breakdown of various behaviors in cats after they sense pregnancy in their owners.
Clingy Behavior
Most pregnant women report clingy behavior in their cats. Some cats even became obsessed with their pregnant owners.
If your cat cries for your attention more often, snuggles up to you more than normal and even tries to lay on your belly, they’re probably aware of your pregnancy.
Pregnant cats behave similarly.
Many owners think their kittens act in this way, as they’re protective and loving. And they’re probably right; cats know you’re carrying a child, and as their favorite person in the world, they protect you by expressing love and affection.
When you’re pregnant, your loved ones take on the heavy lifting around the house; your feline’s probably doing the same by being more clingy and attentive.
Moreover, your cat may act more clingy as you have more time on your hands.
Maybe you had a more hectic lifestyle before you got pregnant and spent less time at home, whereas now you’re spending more time resting.
If you’re laying on your couch and see your kitty spying on you, perhaps they’re waiting for cuddles.
As I already mentioned, cats seek warmth, and since you’re experiencing increased body temperature, your feline’s probably drawn to your body heat.
In reality, all these things probably fuel your kitten’s clingy behavior when carrying a baby.
Aggressive Behavior
Most pregnant cat owners say cats become more clingy and protective during their pregnancy; some cat parents report their felines getting more aggressive after they sense pregnancy in the home.
Sometimes, cats bite their pregnant owners or act out in other ways, such as peeing outside their litter box, scratching furniture, or destroying things around the home.
Aggressive behavior in cats usually happens because pregnant owners sometimes neglect their pets.
So, if you spend less time with your cat now that you’re pregnant or have changed their daily routine, they may act out because they feel neglected or stressed by the changes.
You can prevent your cat’s aggressive behavior by showering your cat with love and attention. Otherwise, your feline might act aggressively before and after your baby’s born.
Your life will probably become more hectic with a baby in the home, so it’s better to set up a routine beforehand.
Your cat will get used to the new routine over time and, hopefully, won’t cause any issues after your baby comes.
Don’t feel bad if you struggle to care for your cat properly now that you’re carrying a child. You’re probably overwhelmed, so ask your loved ones for help.
Remember that extra cuddles can quickly restore the bond with your kitty. If you can ensure playtime, cuddles, and treats daily, I’m sure your kitty won’t act aggressively in the future.
I’m Pregnant and My Cat Follows Me Everywhere: Here’s Why!
Cats follow their pregnant owners around the home for many reasons. One of those reasons is the rise in their body temperature.
As I already stated, your blood flow increases throughout your body when pregnant. Your increased blood flow then boosts your metabolism by about 20%, which makes your body temperature higher.
And since cats love warmth, they’re following you everywhere. Remember that cats have a higher body temperature than humans. Therefore, they enjoy snuggling up to warm people, such as yourself, during pregnancy.
Cats also follow their pregnant owners everywhere because they’re being protective over their favorite human, who’s now carrying a new life inside their belly.
Unless your cat acts aggressively, don’t worry about their bizarre behavior.
Can You Be Around Cats When You’re Pregnant: 2 Safety Concerns
Cats protect their pregnant owners by laying on their bellies. However, people worry about having their cats over their stomachs when carrying a child.
Most people wonder if their baby can feel the extra weight of their cat. Others worry about the excess body heat their cat transfers to their baby.
I’m here to put your mind at ease if you’re also worried about these things.
Thankfully, you shouldn’t worry about these things; they’re nothing but myths. Your cat can’t hurt your baby in any way during your pregnancy.
So, you can let your feline sleep on your pregnant belly and not worry about a thing.
Remember that as long as you take good care of your kitten during pregnancy, you don’t need to worry about potential aggressive behavior.
However, it would be best to take extra precautions when cleaning your kitten’s litter tray. I would even go as far as to say have your loved ones take care of your kitten’s litter box.
Here’s why:
Toxoplasmosis
Toxoplasmosis happens in people who ingest the parasites in their kitty’s feces. It’s a very dangerous infection that can cause severe birth defects and brain damage in unborn babies. (*)
However, having your feline around your household isn’t cause for concern because you can’t get this parasite by just being near your cat.
If you’re worried about this, which I don’t blame you for because it’s scary, you can wash your hands thoroughly after each petting session.
Moreover, take extra precautions when cleaning your cat’s litter box because that’s where you can actually get this parasite. Cat feces have parasites that can cause you harm, so keep that in mind.
I strongly suggest you leave this task to other people in your household.
Additionally, the parasite only triggers infection five days after your feline has visited the toilet. So, if you’re living alone, I suggest you clean your cat’s litter box daily and don’t forget to wash your hands thoroughly after cleaning.
If you clean your cat’s litter box daily, you won’t leave much time for the parasites to become infectious.
Extra tip: Always wear disposable gloves and a face mask when cleaning your cat’s litter box.
Allergies
Unfortunately, pregnancy can cause changes in people’s immune systems, and they could become allergic to things they weren’t allergic to, such as cats.
Cat allergies aren’t uncommon, so if you’re feeling fine now, that doesn’t mean you won’t develop a cat allergy somewhere along the road.
There’s a chance of becoming allergic to your feline during pregnancy, so keep that in mind. And if you experience mild cat allergies now, they can worsen over time.
Additionally, you don’t need to suffer from allergies previously to develop allergies during pregnancy. Many pregnant women with no previous allergies report symptoms, such as itching, sneezing, and coughing during pregnancy.
So, if you believe you’re experiencing allergic reactions while pregnant, speak with your doctor before taking any allergy relief medications.
It’s also worth mentioning that about a third of women claim their allergies improved during pregnancy. So, there’s a chance you don’t develop allergies throughout your pregnancy.
Preparing Your Cat for Your Baby’s Arrival: 5 Helpful Tips
Most people ask if their cat can sense their pregnancy; however, they rarely wonder how their cat will feel once the baby comes.
Cats don’t like changes, and introducing a person can make your kitty feel stressed if you don’t spend time preparing your cat for your baby’s arrival.
Remember that cats know when things change around the house, and their routine will probably change once your baby gets born.
You will have to take care of both your baby and cat. And if your cat feels neglected, they might act out and change their behavior towards you and your baby.
Luckily, you can take certain steps to prepare your feline for the upcoming changes, such as the following.
Take Things Slow
Take it slow when introducing baby items and moving furniture around your house. Don’t subject your cat to different changes at once. Otherwise, your kitten may feel stressed and endangered.
Play Baby Noises for Your Feline
I suggest you play baby noises for your feline, such as a baby crying because baby sounds can be stressful for cats.
So, make sure you slowly introduce these noises to your kitten. That way, your kitty won’t get stressed whenever your baby cries.
Keep Your Cat Out of Your Baby’s Future Room
A curious cat notices changes in the home, so your kitten will probably get curious about your baby’s room.
While you can let your feline explore your baby’s room, I suggest you place barriers and sticky tape (cats despise sticky surfaces) before your baby arrives. Let your cat adjust to the changes and realize your baby’s room isn’t theirs.
Get Your Cat Familiar With Your Baby’s Smell
Slowly introduce your kitten to your baby after you give birth. For instance, you can get your feline familiar with your child’s smell by bringing a blanket or anything else with your cat’s smell at home.
Once you bring your baby home, heavily supervise formal introductions. Moreover, never leave your cat alone with your baby because you can never predict your cat’s behavior.
Consider Your Cat’s Health
If your cat doesn’t take your pregnancy well, they can get stressed and anxious. So, look out for your cat’s health throughout pregnancy and after, especially if your kitty has health issues like chronic pain. (*)
Signs your kitty needs medical attention include diarrhea, vomiting, loss of appetite, etc.
Final Thoughts
In a nutshell, cats sense pregnancy in their female owners. Moreover, cats get clingy around pregnant women. So, don’t worry if your cat acts bizarrely throughout your pregnancy.
Cats can detect hormonal and behavioral changes and even hear your unborn baby’s heartbeat even during early pregnancy. Additionally, your cat’s laying on your pregnant belly because of your warmer body temperature during pregnancy.
However, some cats can become aggressive if they feel neglected and stressed. So, make sure your feline gets enough cuddles and attention, and you will probably get along just fine during and after your pregnancy.
Lastly, spend time introducing your cat to the changes in your home, including your baby, so they don’t get overwhelmed and act out.
*image by KarepaStock/depositphotos