Why does a cat lie on a pregnant woman's belly?

Felinologists note that often a cat lies on a pregnant woman’s stomach, as it protects the baby and tries to help the owner. Research confirms that felines effectively relieve pain and calm the nervous system with the help of purring. However, you should beware of the cat’s aggressive behavior, which often indicates disturbances in the baby’s development. Felinologists recommend that the pregnant owner show increased attention and undergo additional examination.

Objective explanation of cat behavior

No matter how fantastic it may sound, a cat is often the first to know that its owner is pregnant, even before the woman takes a test. Science cannot substantiate this, there are only assumptions:

the animal feels hormonal changes (here it is appropriate to remember that other pets - dogs - recognize cancer patients even at the initial stage);
the cat sensitively notices the slightest changes in the owner’s habitual behavior, her way of life (for example, the woman began to pay a little less attention to her, focusing more on herself, the owner’s movements became more careful);
the pet directly feels the birth of a new life in a way incomprehensible to science.

The cat feels the slightest changes in the behavior of its owner, and possibly changes in her hormonal levels

In general, many cats love to sleep and just lie next to a person. Naturally, for this they choose the warmest and softest places, and for women this is the stomach. However, there are also unsociable furry beauties, but when even an unfamiliar pregnant woman comes into the house, they try to jump on her lap and settle down near her belly.

Many people know that cute furry animals are able to “heal” their owners: tactile contact with them can eliminate headaches, arrhythmia, sciatica, depression and other ailments. The pet has the mysterious ability to absorb negative energy. Most likely, the same mechanism also works during a woman’s pregnancy: the cat not only senses the “interesting” position of the owner, but tries to help her and protect the unborn baby.

Why do they do this

Despite all the mysticism of cats, quite material explanations can always be found for their behavior - perhaps they will somewhat disappoint those who want miracles and fairy tales.

Looking for warmth

All cats are very thermophilic. Their normal body temperature is one and a half to two degrees higher than ours, and for the animal to feel comfortable, the room must be at least 23–25 degrees Celsius. So they find a warm place for themselves: if not on a hot radiator or a windowsill warmed by the sun, then on a working computer.

And since cats are also great lovers of sleep - some of them are ready to sleep up to 20 hours a day - then the choice of the owner’s bed becomes obvious: warm, cozy and not drafty.

They say that cats often lie down on sore spots. Yes this is true. And it is also simply explained: the cat does not so much warm your sore joints, for example, as it warms itself about them. She chooses for herself the warmest areas of the human body - and where the inflammatory process occurs, the temperature naturally rises.

Lying with your hostess is so warm and cozy

The same thing happens with pregnancy. From the moment of conception, turbulent events unfold in a woman’s uterus: rapid cell division occurs, the entire reproductive system is rebuilt. Of course, at the same time the stomach becomes warmer than usual - and that’s all the cat needed.

Showing sympathy for the owner

No, of course, they are not so pragmatic as to simply use us shamelessly without giving anything in return. They love us very much and try to express their emotional affection through the means available to them.

A cat always seeks protection and tenderness from its beloved owner, and when it intuitively senses a woman’s special state, it begins to show increased attention to her. It is no coincidence that this behavior manifests itself much more often not in cats, but in cats.

They love us, want to take care of us and help us - as best they can.

Signs - true and absurd

A number of signs are associated with the behavior of a cat during the owner’s pregnancy:

The animal, lying on its “pregnant” belly, protects the unborn baby from illness and lulls it to sleep . There is some truth here: many women note that such “therapy” helps the fetus calm down - reduce its strong tremors, and also reduce the tone of the uterus.

If the expectant mother has toxicosis, the cat, like a heating pad, will calm her down too

If a cat lies on its stomach, then something bad will happen to the fetus . This sign contradicts the previous one and, of course, does not correspond to reality. Even a heavy cat will not crush the baby, because he is reliably protected by the stomach and amniotic fluid.

Probably, the sign that a cat on the stomach can harm the baby has a logical basis simply in the fact that during pregnancy it is recommended not to put pressure on the stomach

If a pet tries to move from the belly to the chest, this can spoil the milk . The sign is absurd - the animal will not affect the lactation process in any way. When he presses himself against a human breast, he simply expresses his affection, asks for attention and affection. In addition, if the belly is already large, it is simply uncomfortable for the cat to lie on it, and it descends to a flatter place.

When a cat clings to its owner's chest, it demonstrates its affection and asks for reciprocal affection.

You cannot suddenly drive a cat away from its belly . In general, this is justified, because sudden movements are generally undesirable for a pregnant woman. In addition, the mother’s emotional reaction is also important here: even fleeting excitement is transmitted to the fetus. Finally, it is worth remembering that a cat may be frightened by a scream or sudden movements and release its claws into the stomach. to hold on - but this is definitely useless.

To prevent the cat from scratching the expectant mother, you can put veterinary silicone caps on her claws

Why does a cat lie on its stomach: reasons

The animal can do this because it has rested on its owner before.
Popular signs see the fact that a cat or kitten walks on a pregnant woman as a negative omen, but veterinarians identify the following main reasons for the animal’s interest:

Treatment. Studies confirm that cats relieve negative symptoms of diseases and have an analgesic effect. In pregnant women, overstrain of the uterine muscles is relieved, pain from stretching goes away and the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract is normalized.
The desire to warm up. Representatives of the cat family love warmth and want to snuggle up to a hot body.
Habit. If cats sleep on their owner all their lives, they will continue to rest on the pregnant woman’s belly.
Trying to calm the child down. If the baby pushes, the pet specifically begins to lull him to sleep by purring.
To attract attention. A pregnant woman has little time for her pet, so it reminds her of herself.

Are cats dangerous for pregnant women?

Should you give away or not give away your beloved cat if you are expecting a baby? Many women, having read about the horrors of toxoplasmosis, urgently get rid of their pet. Yes, this disease is carried by cats, and its causative agent is very dangerous for the fetus, which can suffer serious pathologies or even die. But, firstly, you can get toxoplasmosis not from a cat, but from contaminated meat, fish or eggs, or even just by poking around in a garden bed where there are toxoplasma microparasites in the soil.

Secondly, at least half of adults, according to doctors, have already had toxoplasmosis asymptomatically, without even noticing it, and are immune. Thirdly, your cat is not necessarily a carrier of the disease - this can be easily found out by taking her to the veterinarian. Well, it’s generally better to follow the rules of basic hygiene, and not only for pregnant women - in this case, no infection will overcome you.

Having a cat examined by a veterinarian will certainly not harm either the cat or the pregnant owner.

So you will deal with this phobia yourself and, most likely, in favor of the cat. It’s another matter if a woman develops an allergy while expecting a baby. The expectant mother, when a cat sleeps on her stomach, sneezes and coughs, swelling and rashes form. This situation is really dangerous for a child, and indeed, sad as it may be, you will have to find kind, caring hands for your cat.

Be more attentive to your pet, and then its behavior can tell you a lot. This is really very interesting. But to believe or not to believe in omens is something only the woman herself can decide. Especially if she is pregnant.

Cats have been accompanying humans since ancient times, sharing their sorrows and joys. During pregnancy, the owner is often puzzled by the question of why her furry pet tries to lie on her stomach. What does it mean? Does the pet know about the baby?

Desire to communicate

Why do cats leave home to die, sensing their demise?

Also, such a pose may mean that the pet is not averse to communicating at a given moment in time. By exposing his tummy, he seems to be communicating that he can now be stroked and played with. If at other times the cat behaves independently and dodges its owner’s hands, then, lying on its back, it absolutely doesn’t mind playing and you don’t have to worry that the animal will bite or scratch.

Three-color amulet

The largest number of positive prejudices is associated with the tricolor cat, or, as it should be said, tortoiseshell. This is not at all surprising, since previously this color was considered rare, for which it was valued. It was believed that a tricolor cat protects the home, attracts good luck, success and material well-being. That is why in most countries of the world it is believed that if such a cat lies on the belly of a pregnant woman, the baby will be happy and rich.

For example, the Slavs were sure that if a tricolor kitten asks to come into the house where a pregnant woman lives, they must not only let it in, but also tame it. After all, the unborn baby received a protector from evil, and his mother was a talisman. For the same reason, the departure of a tortoiseshell cat foreshadowed trouble and even threatened death for an unborn child.

Is it worth mentioning that the attempts of such a cat to settle on the belly of a pregnant woman were encouraged in every possible way. And today, such a resident of the house is considered an advantage only if the cat was not purchased or given as a gift, but came to the door itself. Supposedly she was sent from above to protect a woman expecting a baby.

Are there cats that don't have this habit?

Yes, this also happens. This manifests itself in artificially raised kittens who have never lay under the warm side of their mother and have not massaged her belly with their claws. For obvious reasons, they did not develop the reflex. In addition, this also happens if the cat had few kittens and had enough milk: they simply did not need to “milk” themselves for additional food.

So that you do not doubt this fact, we suggest looking at any photo of a nursing mother cat: you can almost always see how the kittens, resting their paws on her stomach, are hardworkingly “treading on it.”

“Lonely” cats show their love for their owners by simply rubbing themselves against their feet and purring. It’s sad that they can’t fully show their gratitude, but there won’t be any scratches on the furniture or on you.

How to react to cat affection?

Under no circumstances should you drive an animal away from you, even if its claws do not evoke particularly positive emotions in you. Praise the cat, pet him. This way you will make your relationship with your pet even more trusting. And under no circumstances should you spank a cat, as it may well be seriously offended by such treatment! If regular “massage” performed by your pet becomes especially painful, simply take him to a veterinary clinic, where his overgrown nails will be trimmed and shortened.

Important! In cases where a cat and a dog live together in the same house, the cat often begins to show recognition and affection to his four-legged partner. Oddly enough, dogs really like it!

When a cat realizes that its owner is pregnant

Cats do not outwardly notice that the owner’s position has changed. They can feel that a woman is pregnant even before she herself finds out about her situation. If, after the owner had unprotected sexual intercourse, the cat suddenly began to pay special attention to her stomach, it is worth doing a pregnancy test. Very often, the cat begins to communicate with the baby early, from the first days of his development.

What serves as a signal for the animal is unknown. It is difficult to determine whether cats feel that a person has undergone hormonal changes, record even minor deviations from their usual behavior, or directly feel a new life. However, most owners can say one thing for sure: even if a pregnant woman comes to visit, the cat, no matter how unsociable, appears and tries to settle on its lap and lie near its stomach.

Version from traditional healers

Almost all experienced cat lovers, to one degree or another, agree with the statement that these animals are “medicinal.” After a cat stomps its paws on its sore back, it not only begins to hurt much less, but also recovers much faster.

Of course, this version is quite controversial, but official science quite agrees with its “colleagues”. It is unknown why and how a cat determines where its owner is in pain, but it really begins to do its “massage” in this very place. As a result, local skin irritation is caused, and blood flows intensively to this area. In a word, the mechanism of this action is almost similar to that during professional massage.

Does the cat understand that there is a child there?

Seeing the special behavior of her cat, a pregnant woman, to whom he constantly tries to lie on his stomach, involuntarily wonders whether cats sense pregnancy, or is it just a trick of the imagination. This has not been scientifically proven, but the pet’s reaction speaks for itself. The fact that the purr senses the presence of the baby is indicated by the following features in his behavior:

very careful movements when being held in the arms of a pregnant woman;
the desire to press against the stomach precisely in the area of the uterus;
rumbling and rubbing the muzzle on the stomach;
the desire to settle on the pregnant woman’s belly when the baby is very active.

Anyone who keeps cats immediately sees that their pets’ manners change noticeably during the owner’s pregnancy. Even the least affectionate cats suddenly become completely different. They constantly huddle close to the woman and try to spend as much time as possible next to her growing belly. There is no exact answer why a cat lies on a pregnant woman’s stomach.

"Endorphin Junkies"

Oddly enough, while trampling, a cat’s body produces a large amount of endorphin. This hormone promotes a relaxed, complacent state and is a natural stress reliever. Simply put, in this simple way the animal calms down and returns to normal. You have probably seen more than once how a cat, being almost asleep, continues to automatically “stomp” on the sofa or pillow.

If she is not yet sleeping, she often licks herself, paying special attention to the same pads on her paws. This is how the animal produces increased stimulation of endorphin production. Haven’t you noticed how after such a toilet your pet goes to take a sweet nap? Basically, Mother Nature has blessed these miniature predators with a built-in stress and fatigue reliever. Such a mechanism would clearly not harm a person!

Can cats sense that a woman is pregnant?

Your pet can “diagnose” this condition in several ways:

An extraordinary sense of smell. Every cat has a “superpower” - its sense of smell. Her nose contains 200 million odor-sensitive cells, so it is 9-16 times stronger than in humans. Pregnant women experience hormonal changes and produce more estrogen, progesterone and hCG. These changes have a significant impact on her scent, and this is not lost on the cat's extremely keen sense of smell.
Sensing mood and reading body language. Cats are experts at taking long naps, but even when resting, they are very alert and observant. They are excellent at reading moods and recognizing body language.
The pet is looking for warmth. A cat's body temperature is about 39 degrees Celsius, and it is important for her to compensate for heat loss, unlike humans and other animals. A pregnant owner is an easy target for furry pets, since women have a higher temperature during this period, especially in the first trimester.

Folk wisdom related to pregnant women and cats

There are many other signs associated with contact between pregnant women and felines:

Do not touch the animal with your feet, otherwise the baby will have problems with the nervous system;
It is also prohibited to harm animals, such an act will harm the health of the mother and baby;
a tricolor cat serves as a talisman for your pregnancy, so it should not be kicked out of the house;
if a calico cat leaves a pregnant woman’s house, it means the baby will not survive;
when a calico cat asks to come into the house, and a woman in this position cannot be turned away;
a cat can strangle a child out of jealousy.

These signs can also be easily substantiated or refuted from a scientific point of view. During pregnancy, it is not recommended to make too sudden movements. This has a bad effect on both the woman herself and the fetus. The emotional state of a woman is transmitted to the fetus and threatens nervous diseases. As for domestic cats, scientists have proven that while living in a house, people develop a strong immunity to toxoplasmosis. If a cat has lived in your house for many years, then the future baby is in no danger at all.

If we consider the belief that says that you cannot drive away animals that have strayed, there are also many nuances. Today, most people suffer from allergies, and their manifestations can be very different. Pregnant women especially often experience such problems, even if this has not been observed before, therefore, no matter what color the animal passes the threshold, a person simply will not be able to take it home and nothing will happen.

Cases of infants being strangled by cats happen quite often. However, this is most likely not out of jealousy, but because the animal is trying to warm the baby and lies on top of him. It is advisable to isolate your pet for the first time and not allow it into a crib. There is another sign that says that if a cat begins to climb into a pre-prepared crib at the end of pregnancy, it means that in a couple of days the baby will be born. It is believed that the animal subconsciously feels its owner and her condition.