Anxious senior cat and new baby

A new baby and a 15-year-old Birman — that's a big household shift for a senior cat who's spent over a decade as the centre of your world. Birmans are deeply people-bonded, so the sudden noise, new smells, disrupted routines, and divided attention can genuinely unsettle them at an age when stress is harder to shake off. Cats age more gracefully than dogs in some ways, but at 15 they're firmly in senior territory and more vulnerable to conditions like kidney disease, hyperthyroidism, and arthritis — all of which can be worsened by chronic stress. How long has the baby been home, and what are you noticing with your cat — hiding, reduced appetite, changes in litter box use, or something else?

Those are classic signs of feline stress rather than illness, which is reassuring — but at 15, reduced appetite is worth keeping an eye on because it can tip into something more serious fairly quickly. The hiding and the withdrawal from night-time contact tell you she's overwhelmed rather than just adjusting. Before I suggest anything, has she had a vet check recently? Hyperthyroidism and early kidney disease both become more common around this age and can amplify anxiety. If she's had a recent blood panel and was clear, we can focus on environmental support.

That's genuinely good news — a clean bill of health four months ago means you can treat this as a stress response and work on that directly. For a cat in her situation, the most reliable and well-evidenced option is a Feliway Classic Plug-In Diffuser. It releases a synthetic version of the facial pheromone cats deposit when they rub their cheeks on things — the one that signals 'this place is safe.' It's odourless to humans, works continuously in the background, and is particularly effective for cats dealing with household change rather than cat-to-cat conflict. I'd put it in the room she's retreating to most — under the bed is her safe zone right now, so the diffuser should go in that bedroom, not in the busiest part of the house. Most cats show a measurable difference within two weeks, though some need a full month. One diffuser covers up to 70 square metres, so a single unit is usually enough for a bedroom or living area.

The spray is better for spot use — travel, a specific chair, a carrier — because it only lasts a few hours and you have to reapply. For a cat who's anxious all day and night in a changing home, the diffuser is the right tool. It maintains a constant low level of pheromone in the air without you having to do anything. The spray isn't wrong, but it's a different use case. Stick with the diffuser for this situation and give it four weeks before judging whether it's working.

Yes — a few simple things that cost nothing. Try to carve out ten minutes a day that are just hers, ideally at a consistent time so she can predict it. Even sitting near her under the bed without trying to coax her out sends the right message. Keep her feeding spot, litter tray, and water bowl well away from the baby's main area if you haven't already. And if you can, bring a worn baby vest near her sleeping spot before going in — scent introduction at her own pace is much less jarring than the full sensory experience of a crying infant. These things alongside the diffuser give you the best chance of getting her back to sleeping on you within a month or two.