Why Does My Cat Lay On My Stomach When I’m Pregnant?
Why does my cat lay on my stomach when I’m pregnant? There’s actually a practical reason here. When you’re expecting, your body temperature rises, which cats love. Your kitty can also sense a change in your scent, behavior, and presence. This sudden change in the household will alert your kitty, which can lead to a clingy and affectionate attitude.
Can cats sense pregnancy?
Yes, to some extent, cats know that you’re pregnant or that something has changed in you. The following are the reasons why:
1. There’s a unique scent
Cats have an extraordinary sense of smell, which is up to 16 times stronger than humans. And as a woman undergoes hormonal changes during pregnancy, the cat can easily pick up the odor that comes with it.
A massive shift of estrogen and progesterone doesn’t go unnoticed by your kitty’s nose. Also, the human body produces a hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) once an embryo is implanted in the uterus. This, too, will produce a unique scent that your cat can smell.
There were some reports from pet owners when their cat sensed their pregnancy even before they knew about it. Whether your cat actually knows that there’s a baby inside your tummy, it knows that something changed in your body.
2. Your behavior and mood changed
During pregnancy, women will have a change in routines and behavior. And since cats are creatures of habit, they will wonder why you’re not your usual self. This will make them stressed, which can result in clingy and protective behavior toward you.
Cats are more observant than we think. They notice when you change your sleeping schedule and eating habits. Also, they will be alerted if someone else is feeding and grooming them instead of their lady human. Learn here how to groom a cat that hates it
Experts also say that pet animals are attuned to our feelings. Some pet owners report that their cats can detect their mood swings. Your cat can pick up signs of sadness, anger, anxiety, and so on.
For example, when you’re crying, you’ll produce a sound your cat doesn’t usually hear, and your behavior will change. All of these will make your cat curious.
3. Your body is warmer than usual
After all, it might be due to your body’s warmth. Cats love warm places, which is why they are obsessed with cardboard boxes and your radiator.
During pregnancy, a woman will have an increased blood supply because of the growing baby. This will cause the blood vessels to dilate, which then brings the blood closer to the skin surface. This is why a pregnant woman feels warmer than usual. As for your cat, it means a walking heater where they can lie on.
Also, your enlarged belly is a perfect spot since it has the shape that cats find comfortable. The movement of the baby and the heartbeat sound are also attractive for other kitties.
Can my cat hurt my pregnant belly?
If you’re a cat owner concerned about your cats laying over your pregnant belly, there some points to remember. Some are worth noting, especially if you have a sensitive pregnancy.
- Your cat’s size. If you have a Maine Coon, you surely wouldn’t want the giant feline pressing over your baby bump. Nevertheless, it’s rare for cats to cause major problems just by lying on the pregnant belly.
- Allergies. Some women reported developing allergies during pregnancy. You may start wheezing and sneezing when your cat stays close. If this happens, you should consult your doctor right away. (learn More on Why does my cat meow when I sneeze)
- Infections. If you have a sensitive pregnancy, you may want to prohibit your cat from lying on your belly. Cats can carry communicable diseases like toxoplasmosis, which they can get while exploring outdoors.
- Behavior. If you have a Ragdoll or American Shorthair, I don’t see any problem letting them snuggle on your belly. However, breeds like Sphynx, Bengal, and Singapura are quite unpredictable and may pose physical harm to you.
In the end, it’s about knowing your cat’s personality. If your kitty tends to snap when held, it’s best to keep them away from your belly.
Why does my cat lay on my stomach when I’m on my period?
Similar to pregnancy, women’s bodies experience a temperature rise during a menstrual period. Also, the smell of your menstruation can draw your cat to get close to you. You will notice your kitty sniffing around and investigating your lower parts. This is entirely normal since cats have a very keen sense of smell.
So far, I don’t see any problem with this habit of your cat. Unless the kitty is trying to scratch or bite you, letting him snuggle will be a good thing to form a better bond between you two.
Why does my cat lay on my chest?
Cats love laying on the chest of their owners for warmth. My kitten Watson does this all the time, but only in his own volition. Also, the smell and sound of your breathing might be attracting your cat to lay down on your chest.
Also, you might be encouraging the behavior. Like a dog, your cat knows that sleeping on your chest gets him extra scratches and pets.
Moreover, nervous cats also stay close to their owners. This includes sleeping on the person’s chest or laying on its pregnant owner’s belly. I don’t see any problem with this habit as long as your cat isn’t hurting you. It’s actually a good way to bond and spend time with your kitty.
Can my cat hear my baby’s heartbeat?
Cats have an amplified sense of hearing, so it’s easy for them to hear the heartbeat of the baby in your belly. Felines can do this even from a distance.
Cats can hear sounds humans don’t have the ability to hear. Aside from your baby’s heartbeat, your kitty can also listen to the sounds inside your body that are not easily audible to humans.
How do cats act when their owner is pregnant?
Many cats will become clingier to their owners during the latter’s pregnancy. This is due to the warmth and sudden routine changes that will stress them. Take note that a pregnant cat can also act the same way.
However, there are also some kitties that won’t exhibit any behavioral changes until the baby is born. It all depends on the cat’s personality and how they are cared for at home.
Do cats get jealous of pregnancy?
Some cats will become jealous not of the pregnancy but the baby. The day the baby arrives, everyone at home would be busy, and the cat will not receive as much attention as it used to.
This sudden change and feeling of neglect can make a cat jealous. It’s important to prepare your pet for the baby’s arrival so that behavioral problems won’t surface later.
Train your cat to adjust to a new routine even as early as possible. Place baby gates, install net doors, move the litter box, and so on weeks before the infant arrives. This will let your cat get used to the new restrictions at home.
Conclusion
Why does my cat lay on my stomach when I’m pregnant? Your cat surely likes your body warmth, and it’s possibly intrigued by the baby’s heartbeat. All the reasons for this behavior are usually harmless and not a cause of concern. What’s important is you prepare your cat for the arrival of the baby so that it won’t become jealous or attention-seeking.
