What to do when a child is born into a family with an animal?

Our mood and emotions also have a big impact on pets. Every change in the daily routine, new environment or new people requires the animal to adapt. One of the situations that can cause cats great stress is the birth of a child. That is why we should help cats to relax with a new family member.

In new situations or in moments when the cat does not feel comfortable, the body responds, for example, with an increased heart rate or general increased alertness. Such a reaction is caused by the release of the hormones adrenaline and cortisol, which affect many other organs in the body, including the heart, digestive system and brain. However, sometimes cats have difficulty adjusting and changes in their bodies can cause unpleasant physical and behavioral symptoms.

"In cats, discomfort can manifest itself in unusual behaviors such as hiding more than usual, avoiding contact with household members, urinating in inappropriate places, excessive hair cleaning and even self-harm. If a cat develops any deviation in behavior, I recommend an immediate visit to a veterinarian, "says veterinarian Dagmar Tarkošová from Royal Canin.

One of the causes of unusual behavior may be the birth of a child and the shift of attention to the newborn offspring, when the cat demonstrates its dissatisfaction by excessive licking or scratching and self-harm. In layman's terms, the cat is jealous and tries to attract attention and show its dissatisfaction. It is therefore necessary to help cats cope with the new life situation and role in the family as best we can.

Individual cases are resolved at the veterinarian individually according to the severity of the symptoms. One of the non-invasive solutions is the change to special veterinary diets, which include the substances Alpha-casozepin and L-tryptophan. Alpha-casozepin is a component of breast milk and has a calming effect after feeding to newborn kittens and young animals. L-tryptophan is a naturally occurring amino acid that the body converts to the neurotransmitter serotonin, which helps maintain emotional balance during periods of adaptation.

"The demonstrable effect of feeding will be manifested when administered at least 4 weeks, ideally before the expected change. The diet can be supplemented with special cat pheromone therapy. A product that plugs into an electrical outlet in the form of a diffuser and continuously releases the cat's well-being hormone, which has been proven to reduce symptoms of anxiety. Another option is to give alternative natural preparations in the form of drops or tablets, mostly based on B vitamins, which help calm the nervous system. In some complicated cases, it is best to seek the help of a veterinarian who specializes in behavioral disorders in dogs and cats, advises Tarkošová.