You'll love your new baby, and you'll love your cat, but don't necessarily expect them to love each other, at least right away. Big life changes such as welcoming a new family member can be stressful for cats. Simple tips to help cats getting used to the idea of sharing their homes with a small human include playing baby sounds before baby's arrival to get your kitty accustomed to what's coming. If dad will be taking over cat care from mom soon, have him take on his grooming and play duties at least a month before the big day.

Does your cat seem to give you a wide berth when you're wearing your favorite perfume? They have excellent noses. Scent items with a strong odor, such as perfume or deodorizers, may be off-putting and cats may avoid locations with these scents. She adds that there are also smells that most cats really like, including catnip, lavender, and silver vine: You can also use scents cats enjoy to attract them to locations like their scratching post.

Fireworks, thunderstorms, and construction noises can be confusing and scary for pets. The best remedy is a distraction! Training your cat to sit and stay in a specific location, like on a mat, and then practicing the behavior when the loud noises startup. After the cat is a master of sitting and staying then have them do this when loud noises are occurring. Give them treats for engaging in desired behavior and for ignoring the loud noises. Eventually, they will learn loud noises are nothing to be afraid of and won't hide from treats.

Big changes might be stressful for cats, but they don't actually want every day to be exactly like the last. Having a home environment that never changes can also be boring for cats. Plus, when they're not accustomed to any day-to-day variety, they'll be extra-freaked-out when your grandparents' visit or a plumber comes to work on your kitchen sink. Giving your cat new toys and forms of enrichment can help stimulate their mind and may also make them more comfortable with new situations when big life changes do occur.

Because cats are so particular, you can take a little advantage of their sensitivities to help guide their behavior. According to the website for the 'MSPCA-Angell', a nonprofit animal protection organization in Boston, most cats hate walking on aluminum foil, heavy plastic, or sticky surfaces, so if you want your cat to stop hanging out on the counter, make sure the surface is unwelcoming. Make sure to reward times the cat is on the floor and not on those specific textured surfaces with treats and warm praise.