Introducing your pet to your new baby
If you’re like a lot of other moms-to-be or new moms you might already have a baby in the house… your pet cat or dog! It’s likely an important member of the family but how will they react to your newborn?
You’ll want to ensure your baby is safe in your pet’s presence and so you’ll have to take step to adjust your pet to the new arrival, in much the same way as you would help an older child get used to the idea of having a new baby brother or sister. Follow gurgle’s tips to ensure your pet doesn’t find the transition stressful and help it welcome your new baby to the family it’s already a part of…
Your pet’s reaction
Your pet cat or dog is likely used to being the center of attention in your ‘family’ and accepting a new member may be difficult, especially if your pet has had you all to itself for many years. Pet owners often report their pets suffering
sibling rivalry in a similar way that an older child does. This situation will be worsened if you find yourself ignoring your pet, banning it from the home or punishing it for its natural inquisitiveness about your newborn once you bring her home.
Preparing your pet
Your pet won’t be able to comprehend that you’re expecting a baby, but once your due date nears, you can start getting it accustomed to all things baby and to the fact that you may not have as much time to devote to it as you used to. Over time, start spending a little less time with your pet, and if it’s always been you that walks, feeds and groom your dog or cat ask your partner or another family member to take over those duties for you. This means your pet can still revel in the attention and feel cared for even if you don’t have the time to do all of those things yourself once you’re a new mom.
If you have friends or relatives with babies or young children, ask them to visit and spend time with your pet. If you can’t ‘borrow’ another baby in this way, using a baby doll is a great way to get your pet used to seeing you carrying a baby. Keep it with you in your home, wear it in your baby’s sling, push it around the house in her stroller and seeing it in her swing if you have one. Have your pet sit close by while you change the doll’s diaper and bath it, and talk to your pet about it, using the name you have chosen for your baby.
It’s also a good idea to introduce your pet to baby-related noises well before the birth. Ask a friend or relative who has a baby to record her cries so you can play back the sound to your pet. Sprinkle talc on your hands and use baby lotion so your pet recognizes the scent on your baby once she arrives. Make all of these experiences positive ones for your pet by offering it a treat at the same time.
It’s best to try to keep your baby’s room off-limits to your pet so get is used to the idea that it will no longer have the run of the house by placing a
safety barrier across the doorway of the room that will be your baby’s (once your baby arrives always close the door firmly when she’s in her room if you have a cat as it will likely be able to jump over the barrier).
Safety issues
No matter how much you love your pet it is an animal and its instincts will ensure it behaves in a certain way even if it is well trained and apparently docile. Once you bring your baby home never, under any circumstances, leave her alone with your pet (particularly lying on the floor while your pet is in the room). Any time your pet spends with your baby needs to be closely supervised.
If your pet is anxious and poorly disciplined, the time to train it and deal with any bad habits is well before your baby is born – enroll in pet training classes and get help from an animal behavior specialist if necessary. A nervous pet may
snap or bite if it is frightened, so if your pet’s usual behavior includes playful aggression (mock snapping and chewing) towards you, start redirecting it to appropriate props such as chew toys.
Your pet’s health matters too – an unwell pet is potentially a bad-tempered one. Take it to the vet for a routine health exam and any necessary vaccinations ahead of the birth, and if it isn’t neutered consider having this done. Neutered pets are less likely to have health problems (saving you money at a time when your finances may be stretched caring for your baby) and, most importantly, they are calmer and less likely to bite.
Bringing your baby home
Before you bring your baby home from the hospital, have your partner or a friend take something that carries your newborn’s scent – place a small scrap of cloth next to her for this purpose. Your pet can investigate it and become familiar with your baby’s scent.
If your pet is excited to see you when you return home, spend a few moments of quality time with it away from your baby and let it sniff your hands to pick up on your baby’s scent. Don’t overexcite your pet by play wresting: keep things as calm as possible. Have some treats handy for the moment of introduction so you can distract your pet. Let it sit next to you as you hold your baby and keep feeding it those treats – it’ll help your pet associate your baby with positive experiences. Try to avoid letting your pet sniff or lick your baby, especially her hands and face.
You’ll be kept pretty busy caring for your baby but try not to forget your old baby in those first weeks and days! Try to stick to your pet’s usual routine for meals and walks and spend some one-on-one time with it every day even if it’s just a few minutes… after all, pets help relax people so it’ll help you handle the stress of 24-7 babycare!
The information in this feature is intended for educational purposes only. If you have any concerns about your health, the health of your child or the health of someone you know, please consult with a doctor or other healthcare professional.
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Last Modified: 22/02/2009
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