According to the "Cat Owner's Manual" by Dr. David Brunner:
If the feline is already established in the household and the baby is the newcomer, the following steps will help the cat and the infant get along.
-Before the baby's arrival, apply baby lotionand/or powder on your skin to accustom the cat to the smell. Once the nursery is set up, allow the feline to explore it.
-If the cat is unfamiliar with babies, invite a friend who has young ones to visit so the feline can experience then. Closely supervise all encounters.
-Before the baby arrives, take the cat to its vet. Make sure the cat is free of disease and parasites and that all vaccinations are current.
-When the baby comes home, introduce it to the cat in the safest and most nonthreatening way possible. Hold the infant and let the feline, on its own terms, approach and investigate. Allow the cat to observe as much of the baby's everyday care as it wishes.
-If possible, provide your cat with the same amount of attention (or perhaps a bit more) that it received prior to the baby's arrival.
----
These probably don't help much, just because you've already brought your kid home, but maybe you should formally introduce your toddler and the cat. Also, maybe you should try giving your cat a little more affection. Then again, your cat may just be a more independent sort, and has trouble with change. Give it time.
|