I suppose this is really a question for all the yummy mummy's out there but all are welcome to contribute. Did you notice any strange changes in your pets when you were pregnant? Positive or negative? Do you think animals can sense pregnancy from early on?

I'm 14 weeks and for a while now my cat has been acting weird. He's always been a bit clingy with me ever since our other cat died a couple of years ago but for the past few weeks he just doesn't leave me alone. When I walk around the house he gets under my feet, when I go to the toilet he waits at the door for me, I can't count how many times I've accidentally kicked him in the head since he started sitting at my feet under the desk. He even sleeps on my feet or curled up against my side. All of that is kinda sweet but recently, in the last week or so I've started to notice a negative side too. He's started getting short tempered with me and has swiped a paw at me and given me a nip several times. Never rough enough to break the skin but still unpleasant and out of character.

I tried googling it but haven't really found anything about negative reactions, only positive so was wondering what experiences people on here have had.

ive never been pregnant, but my guess would be that they can tell. pregnant womens hormones are different than non-preggers women, which does effect your scent...which may be why hes attaching himself so closely to you.

I never noticed my pets, dogs, cats and birds, behaving differently when I was pregnant, but I have heard of other women who's pets did behave differently. I'm quite the animal person, too, so if my pets did behave differently I certainly would have noticed. My lab mix behaved differently when my first daughter was born. His lab/border collie energy was mostly contained, his wiggles diluted and all four feet on the floor as though he knew he must be careful and gentle around this new little human.

That sounds like your cat is craving attention and not getting it, hence the bad temper. You need to play with it more often, brush his fur, pat it and such. And you need to clip his claws.

Croco, I can see why you might think that but I don't really agree. On the occassions he's swiped and bit me it's been when I've been petting him and usually when he's snuggled up to me like he always does. I've not being doing it any different to how I always do it, he just seems to get annoyed with me sometimes for no reason. He's only been swiping with his paw, not with his claws. As I said they don't seem to be vicious attacks and it is completely out of character for him. He never scratches or bites. Also, it does seem to be just me, he's normal with my husband.

Purity, that's really sweet. I hope my cat reacts as well as your dog did but I do worry about it. When my neice was born years ago my sister had to have her cat re-homed because the cat turned vicious toward the baby (up until then the cat was always her baby so it got super jealous of the sudden competition) and she was actually scared for her daughter's safety. I just hope I don't end up in that situation.

Suicidia, I didn't think about my scent changing but it makes sense I guess. BTW, I haven't forgot about you, I know I suck at quick replies but I'll have a proper sit down and reply to your last message in a bit

Pregnancy changes your hormones, so can change both your scent and your brain. So it could be your cat acting differently because of your scence, or it could be you acting differently. Maybe pets can notice the change in your behaviour (it's even possible your cat hasn't changed at all and you're just noticing things).

Miss Roxor, both of my cats adapted to my kiddos. Sabrina was actually quite curious, and would smell their heads and hands. It was really cute. Then she'd curl up next to them, with her back against their sides. Maybe because they smelled good and gave out lots of heat, and cats love heat.
Teddy Bear was less impressed, but was quite accepting. He sniffed a few times, lied next to them a few times, and I caught him snoozing on baby items that were soft and comfortable (like inside a bassinet I had a couple months).

My cats just became MORE aloof when I became pregnant. They did not want a thing to do with me for the most part. And when my daughter came? You would've thought she were the plague! Our older cat would sniff her and give the "That's disgusting" face. *lol*

all of my animals crowded around me like i was the pied piper when i was pregnant, our female dog stalked me everywhere i went, if i wanted privacy to use the bathroom i'd need to be sure the door was SHUT or i'd get company. my husbands female cat was almost as bad. i'd wake up to her sleeping on the small of my back, or across my throat or stomache. it woulda been ok had it not been a nasty hot summer...

our male cat wasnt exactly friendly to anyone but the dog at that point, but it could be that he's convinced that baby will be his. is he neutered? if not he may seriously dislike the baby, but i wouldnt panic. not untill he starts being downright mean.

I'm 23 weeks and my cat is acting almost the same as yours. The change is pretty weird.