re: Anyone get rid of their cats?

I have two cats and I would never think to get rid of them. Just like having a kid, an animal should be a permanent commitment and not something that you can just give up. Do what is best for the animal and keep the cat, maybe find homes for all of the kittens.

4 out of 5 didn't make it. So we decided on keeping the one kitten that did, especially since she was female. And that was going to be my daughters kitty. I always wanted a dog when I was having a baby for them to grow together, but I kitty will do fine. they're healthy, and I didn't want to give them up I was just wondering if there were any truth to what I've been told outside the forum, and it seems no one really thought it needed to be done. SO and I are thinking about having them declawed... Just precaution and I don't think it's cruel when they're inside cats. I just don't want kitty to think baby's playing rough, and hurt the baby, and then I take it out on the cat. Either way thanks guys   I figured I just need to be careful about where the kitties are when baby is sleeping.

Good for you for keeping the kitty, and sorry about the other ones not making it. The only thing you have to avoid is changing the litter box and preferably making the cat an indoor cat, because they can catch disease outside. Also please, please do not de-claw your kitties!! It is a barbaric procedure and clipping their nails is super easy. Also if you don't feel comfortable clipping their nails they make little rubber caps you can put over their nails so it wont hurt if they try to scratch.

I would never get rid of my cat unless I knew for sure my baby was highly allergic. I don't have my cat living with me right now but even if she was I wouldn't get rid of her. Plus, I think most cats would probably stay away from the baby for a few weeks, right?

I think my cats jealous of her own baby lol, so hopefully she's jealous of baby, and avoids her. The declawing is just a thought. They're already indefinite inside kitties. I get cat scratch fever so easily. Like on a dime, especially when I was a kid. So that's a lot of the reason, aside from hurt the baby. We'll try clipping them but the first time baby has a cat scratch kitties claws are going.   It's barbaric, but I'd rather that then hand her over to strangers for playing with my child.

IIreally thought about getting rid of rory and darcey (my feline friends!) as they had previously caused havoc all over the house on occasion, knocking over vases, howling through the night and causing me to having to replace a few cheap mattresses due to them doing, ahem, their "business" where they shouldn't have  
But they're part of the family, and a little older and calmer now, so hopefully, theyre as excited about the new arrival as I am!!!

I've never had an issue like that thank God, lol I'm so sorry your cats are all BLAH! And excitable. They sound playful though. The worst mine does atm, is playing with those hollowed out balls with bells in them at 4am >.> It's hard enough to sleep at night as it is   Good luck with your kitties.

I have two huge dogs a total of 240lbs combined between a newfoundland and a golden retriever and a cat, all in my life before my daughter arrived 2.5 years ago... currently 35 weeks pregnant with my boy and final child   ... the thought would never even cross my mind to get rid of any of my pets, they are my fur babies... it makes me sick to my stomach when I see and hear of animals being given up becaues 2 legged babies come along, or people have no time for them. There is ALWAYS time for pets. If a person can sit at a computer or watch tv for 30 minutes they have time to take a dog for a walk etc etc.

My cat is an outdoor/indoor cat and unfortunately is being tortured by my daughter as she can now carry him everywhere and that she does. Thankfully he is awesome and lets her do it... as for the dogs they are lucky they are too big for her to carry because she certainly does try  

So keep the cats, there are more dangerous things you can expose children to then having pets and learning unconditional love and resposibility.

No cat has ever smothered a baby. That's just an old wives tale. Having said that, no animal cat or dog should be left alone with a baby. It should be fine, I wouldn't really worry. If you are scared you could always declaw or start trimming their nails. I do that with mine and he doesn't mind.

Quoting Chelsea.J:" I think my cats jealous of her own baby lol, so hopefully she's jealous of baby, and avoids her. The ... [snip!] ... kitties claws are going.   It's barbaric, but I'd rather that then hand her over to strangers for playing with my child."

My cat's front claws are gone and she is still a happy kitty. You don't want the kitties to get jealous of baby cause that might cause behavior problems, you want them to get along but just let them know that baby is not a play toy. Cats are smart.

Quoting runningmom:" I have two huge dogs a total of 240lbs combined between a newfoundland and a golden retriever and a cat, ... [snip!] ... there are more dangerous things you can expose children to then having pets and learning unconditional love and resposibility. "

Couldn't agree more! My two kitties are my children and I could never even imagine giving them up. It annoys me when people get a pet and think of it as a temporary thing.