Preparing Your Pet For a New Baby
Do pet get jealous of and even resent a new baby in the house - you pet they do. Get your pet ready for the upcoming changes before baby comes home.
Major, a happy-go-lucky schnauzer, has been Amy Reisko's "only baby" for six years. You guessed it, then the unbeliveable (in the dog's view anyway) happened: Amy brought home a new "only" baby.
"Major has always been a very kind, playful pet, but once my son, Everett, was born, he began acting different", says the mommy from Smyrna Georgia.
"He fully ignored the new baby, and rejected me while I was holding Evertte. Moreover, he wouldn't play anymore".
Amy's situation isn't unusal. And happily, like Major, who warmed up to Everett once the baby began to crawl, most pets do become friendly with their human siblings. Although pets that are the family's first "child" can feel stressed by the commotion and schedule adjustments that come with a newborn, if you gradually acclimate your pet to these changes while you're pregnant, your furry "firstborn" will quickly adjust. Here are a few ways to get your four-legged friend ready for the newest family member.
PREP YOUR PET
Show them the Basics.
If your doggy doesn't know ordinary commands (like "sit", "no" "stay"), right now is the time to get him into an obedience class.
Let your pooch get used to being around other children
Accompany your pooch to a park, or invite co-workers who have children to come over more often. If he shows any signs of fear or rage - backing up, growling, or flinching - pull him back. Let him get to know toddlers slowly, 1-on-one, until she becomes adjusted to life with little ones.
Roughhouse a Bit
Infants unintentionally grab and pinch harder than most people expect - and they routinely zero in on an animals ears, feet, and tail because they are easy to get at. You can assist your pet in learning to put up with such poking by softly pulling on his tail or ears and then giving him a treat.
Make the Babys' Nursery an off-limits Area
If you do not want your dog or cat to enter into the babys' room, make it a firm rule now so he doesn't connect his eviction with the baby's arrival.
Sanitize your Pet to Baby Smells
Open up a package of wipes, sprinkle baby powder in the bedroom, and slather your hands with baby lotion often.
Start the Commotion
There will be plenty of new and sometimes frightening - sounds for your pet to get used to, so begin to expose her to them gradually, then give her a reward. Turn on the infant swing, play with noisy games, and switch on the mobile.
Record a friend's baby crying or download a crying baby sound effect, and play the CD or the download for your pet - only softly at first, then gradually louder.
Start Paying Less Attention to Him
When your baby comes, you may not be able to spend as much time with your dog or cat, so in the days before you're due to deliver, play with him less often.
Take Your Pet to the Vet for a routine checkup
Make sure your pet is fully vaccinated and free of worms, ticks, and fleas. Think about getting your pet spayed or neutered - sterilized pets are typically calmer.
Clip Your Cat's Nails Often
Safety Tips
Invest in a Baby Fence and a Dog Crate
Dogs consider a crate private space - a place to get away from a baby's or toddler's prodding and tail-pulling. Gates keep your dog out of pet-free areas.
Kitty-Proof the Baby Crib
Kitties love warm places to sleep and will want to jump into the crib. Before you bring home your newborn, try this clever trick devised by cat owner Sarah Holzer: Cut pieces of cardboard to fit the sides, railings, and bedding of the crib. Line one side of the cardboard with double-sided tape, and tie or tape the cardboard to the crib, sticky sides out.
Cats despise the feeling of stickiness on their paws, eventually they will learn not to sleep in the baby's crib.
Get with your pet as he checks out the new baby equipment
Push prams and moveable baby activity areas around your home so your dog or cat learns to get out of the way of wheels that can run over her tail and paws.
Keep Toys Separate
Your baby won't catch anything if she plays with the same plush toys you dog's been sucking on, but it's best to keep the dog's stuff in his area; say "no" if he goes for a baby toy.
Never , never leave your infant unsupervised around your animals.
It doesn't matter how long you've had your dog or cat or how much you trusted your pet in the past, don't ever let him or her alone with your babies. Several well intentioned families have left their infants alone to take a quick and often much needed shower, or a 2-minute bathroom run, only to return to find horrific results. Just don't ever do it.
COMING HOME FROM THE HOSPITAL
Begin by walking in your door alone
Your pet may be excited and eager to jump on you the second you come into the house. You will give him a mixed signal if you scold him for normally friendly behavior, so give your newborn to your hubby and walk in the house by yourself.
Don't Push an Introduction
Cats are fairly conceited; they'll likely hide out at first, then observe your newborn from a distance. If your dog frightens more easily, coach her to lie down next to the baby while he is in his bassinet until your pet feels less frightened.
Get Up Close and Personal
If you're confidant your dog can safely meet your newborn face-to-face, have your spouse hold him on a leash while you hold your infant in your lap. Pet him, and if doesn't growl, let him advance towards your baby slowly. He should be in proximity enough to smell - but not close enough to bite or lick her- and still be restrained in the event he gets overly excited. If your dog displays any adverse behavior, say "no", and remove him from the room.
Take your pet on walks with the infant so she does not feel ignored
Expect Some Naughty Behavior
Behavioral problems and issues - chewing and clawing on furniture, pooping where he's not supposed to - might come up during your pet's period of adjustment. Additionally, it could easily be a year before life resembles the normal routine for your pet. Consider the better you prepare him for the up coming changes, the easier it will get for him to adapt to the changes.
Learn more about Newborns and Your 4-Legged Baby. Stop by Julianne Willoughby's blog where you can find out all about Tips to Prepare a Pet For a New Baby and what you can do to ease the transition.
Related posts:
- Preparing for a baby
- Preparing for your new baby
- Preparing A Baby Shower Party
- Preparing For The Arrival Of Your Newborn
- Preparing Yourself For Your Baby
- Simple And Easy Baby Shower Games
- What You Need To Know About Bringing A New Baby Home
- The Best Baby Toys For Learning
- Preparing For Your Pregnancy
- Baby Food Recipes – ImportantFacts For Parents