It’s not uncommon for cats to act a bit strangely around pregnant women. You may notice that your cat is a bit extra clingy as your pregnancy progresses. What causes this? Can cats sense when you are pregnant?
Many owners report that their animals, including cats, are able to detect when they are pregnant. It’s likely that their keen sense of smell and ability to detect other changes during pregnancy clues them in. We couldn’t find any scientific studies to confirm these theories but there are many anecdotal reports. Let’s take a closer look at some common reasons why your cat could be extra clingy when you’re pregnant.
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The 4 Reasons Why Cats Get Clingy Around Pregnant Women
1. They Notice the Bump
Most women start to show between 16-20 weeks of pregnancy, which is the second trimester. At this point, it’s common for cats to notice a change in your appearance. You may notice your cat staring at your belly or sniffing it. They may even place a paw on it for confirmation that it’s still you. Cats seem to sense that something’s changed but are unlikely to deduce why that is.
2. They Smell Hormonal Changes
A cat’s keen sense of smell is what could make this possible. Your hormonal levels change dramatically during pregnancy. You begin to produce more progesterone, estrogen, and human chorionic gonadotropin (aka “hCG”). Your personal scent can be affected by pregnancy but it is not known if the hormone changes are perceptible by smell. These changes could be detected by cats, who have upto 200 million odor sensors in their noses, whereas humans have a mere 5 million.
3. You Get Warmer
When you become pregnant, your body’s blood volume increases on average 45%. Another change is that it raises your body temperature but usually only by 0.2 degrees Fahrenheit. A higher body temperature and blood volume could be one way cats detect pregnancy.
Cats love cuddling up with warm people. Your cat might lay down next to you, rub against your pregnant belly, or put its paws on your belly.
4. Other Noticeable Changes
Cats can sense changes in hormones and feel warmer bodies. But our furry feline friends may also notice changes in your appearance, behavior, body chemistry, or posture. This could give them clues to the significant changes your body is going through. Felines are skilled at sensing changes to your body language and can spot subtle differences in your movements or habits.
The 3 Tips to Prepare Your Cat to Meet the New Baby
Introducing your cat to your new baby doesn’t have to be dramatic or upsetting. To make your transition smoother, there are a few things that you can try.
1. Make Changes Early
Slowly introduce new furniture and baby items to your house, as any sudden, drastic changes could distress your cat. It also helps to start closing doors and creating barriers to rooms where you don’t want your cat to roam or sleep when the baby arrives. This will ensure that it’s not frustrated by the new sibling and being locked out.
Sense of smell, as previously mentioned, is very important to cats, they like to smell and investigate new objects and in turn to rub their own scent onto them for territory marking. They typically do this by rubbing their cheeks onto you or items in your house. Making gradual changes and giving your cat time to adjust is important to avoid undue stress.
2. Pay Attention to Your Cat
New babies require all of the attention of new mothers, attention that was once directed toward your feline buddy. And like people, cats can become anxious or frustrated if they feel neglected. Signs of stress in cats can range from the subtle to the obvious. Changes in usual behavior, hiding more, withdrawing from affection or seeking attention are common. Unfortunately some behaviors are more troublesome such as spraying in the home or stress related cystitis. Reach out to your veterinarian for advice on how to help your cat.
3. Try Desensitization
Desensitization is another way to get your cat used to babies. One way to accomplish this is to play recordings of various baby sounds (i.e., cries, laughter, whimpers, etc.) in order to prepare them for real life when the baby arrives. If your baby suddenly makes these noises when they arrive home, it may cause anxiety and stress.
Introducing your cat to the scent of the baby will help establish a bond with them when they arrive at home. This can be done by letting the cat sniff the baby’s blankets and outfits in the first few days at home.
Wrapping Things Up
Cats do seem to be aware when you become pregnant and this may be due to a variety of factors. They can sense changes in your appearance, smell, body temperature, and everyday habits. This may cause them to become extra clingy, something that may last throughout your entire pregnancy.
Featured Image Credit: Vlada Karpovich, Pexels
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