Cats have long been thought of as quite mysterious animals, right back to the time of the Ancient Egyptians when cats were believed to be magical and able to bring good luck to those who had one in their house. Not only are they said to have nine lives, but many people believe that cats can also sense new life, being able to tell when a woman is pregnant. Many women report that their cat’s behaviour towards them changes when they are pregnant, often becoming more clingy or preferring to sleep on the woman’s stomach. But are they actually sensing the baby? Is there any truth in this or is it just an old cat’s tail?! 

So can my cat tell if I’m pregnant?  

Yes….and no… 

Although there is no scientific evidence to prove that cats can sense a pregnancy and recognise it as such, there is reason to believe that cats can detect the changes that occur during pregnancy and can react to these.  

When a woman is pregnant, there will be huge changes in her hormone levels. Although we cannot smell things like hormones, cats, with their incredibly strong sense of smell, very likely can. A cat’s sense of smell is somewhere between 9 and 16 times more sensitive than a human’s and they have up to 200 million odour-sensitive cells in their nose compared to a human’s measly 10 million. So it would make sense (‘scuse the pun!) that when a cat reacts differently to a pregnant woman, even in the very early stages, they are actually reacting to the smell of her hormones.  

Cats are also very sensitive creatures and like routine. During pregnancy, household and personal routines can go out of the window. Maybe the woman is working less, sleeping more or even struggling with morning sickness. Rooms may be decorated, new furniture bought or old furniture moved around. Anything that upsets the status quo in a house can cause changes in cat behaviour.  

How do cats behave around pregnant women? 

Cats can behave in all sorts of ways when their owner is pregnant – some positive and some not so much.  

Anyone who has observed a cat in a house or garden will likely have noticed that cats like warmth – a hot water pipe under the floorboards, a sunny spot on the patio or a bed strategically placed next to a fire. A pregnant woman’s body temperature will rise compared to normal and therefore they can become a very tempting place to rest for a pet cat.  

A cat who is very close to their owner may also become more clingy as way of trying to ‘reassure’ them, following them around the house, being more vocal when they’re out of sight or just wanting to spend a lot of time cuddled up on or near them.  

However, some cats can react in a negative way around pregnant women. They may take against the change in smell and feel insecure as they use smell and scent to create their territory and outline their ‘safe space’. Because of their desire for routine, any changes can also upset them. This may manifest as withdrawing from the family, hiding away or spending less time interacting with them. In more severe cases, the stress could actually cause medical issues such as inappropriate urination, over-grooming or diarrhoea.  

How can I help my cat prepare for my new baby? 

Routine, routine, routine. Having a baby turns family life upside down and for your cat, who has no idea what’s going on in their house, it can be a very stressful time. By trying to keep at least your cat’s routine as normal as possible both before and after the baby arrives, it can really help them to adjust to the new way of life.  

  • Try to keep feeding times the same. We all know that cats seem to have a built-in clock which means they ‘know’ when dinner’s late. Continuity of feeding during what can be quite a chaotic time, can help keep a cat happy and out of your hair when you’re trying to get things organised. 
  • Still play with them. Some cats can feel pushed out in the lead up to and when a baby arrives as your attention is, quite rightly, elsewhere. But if you have a quieter 10 minutes in an evening or when baby is napping, do maintain playtime with your cat. It will strengthen the bond between you and allow them to still feel part of the family. 
  • Where possible, allow them to sleep in the same places. If your cat already has their own place to sleep away from anything baby or potentially baby-related, then you can keep things the same. However, it’s not a good idea to allow your cat to sleep in the baby’s room and certainly not in the baby’s cot. If your cat currently has access to the nursery, begin in plenty of time to start to move them out, setting up their bed and some familiar blankets in a new area. Also remember that for the first few months after the baby is born, they will likely be sleeping in your room so if that is normally your cat’s domain too, you may need to encourage them to move out (though the night-time crying may put them off anyway!). 

Cat and human health 

From both a cat and human health point of view, it can be a good idea to take your cat to the vet to get them checked and treated for fleas and worms before the baby arrives. On the topic of human health, pregnant women should avoid cleaning out cat litter trays wherever possible. Some cats can carry a parasite called toxoplasmosis which if ingested by a pregnant woman, could put the unborn baby at risk or even cause miscarriage if exposure occurs during the first trimester. The same risk of exposure applies to gardening without gloves on, eating unwashed fruit and vegetables or undercooked meat but it can still be prudent to take precautions. If avoidance is not possible, wear gloves, an apron and wash your hands after handling the litter tray. The oocysts in cat faeces take at least 24 hours to become infectious, so removal of faeces at least daily significantly reduces the risk. 

How to help your cat when the baby arrives 

Once the baby is here, much of the above advice is still relevant. It is vital to ensure they have an area they can escape to if they’re feeling overwhelmed which has items they are used to such as their bed and scratching post, and is away from high-traffic areas or anywhere where the baby may be. Some people find using a feline pheromone diffuser useful as they can reduce stress for your cat by mimicking natural feline facial pheromones aimed at inducing a state of calmness. This should be placed in an area where your cat spends a lot of their time, or in a high stress area where they may come more into contact with the baby such as the living room. As much as possible, maintain a feeding/sleeping/playing schedule with your cat but your baby will be your priority so try not to worry too much about it.  

It would be very useful if cats could accurately predict pregnancy, but sadly, the evidence is still lacking, despite anecdotally many women reporting their cat to be a feline form of Mystic Meg. There is certainly some science behind why cats may behave differently if their owner is pregnant but they do not have the cognitive ability to know that the changes in their owner’s smell and behaviour are because of a new baby. Cats are often one of the first living things we look after – above plants but before children – so they tend to be a very important part of our lives. Having your baby grow up with their first pet is a magical experience and one that should be nurtured as far as possible.  

Further reading: 

Cats and your pregnancy – Cats Protection  

Can cats sense pregnancy? – Kinship 

How can I make sure my cat stays happy after my baby arrives?