Pet Meets New Baby
Help your
pets adjust to the new family member
The
miracle of childbirth will change your life forever. And
someone else's life will be changed as well, your pet's.
If a dog or cat has been the 'only child' in the
household, introducing a new baby to the family can turn his or
her world upside down. It can add a tremendous amount of
stress to his or her otherwise carefree and pampered life.
Being a new parent will bring hours of happiness but stressful
moments as well. Planning ahead and preparing your pets for the
new addition is paramount. One of the big reasons dogs and
cats end up at shelters is lack of preparation for this
life-changing event. With a little bit of effort and
planning you can help your pets not only adjust to their new
family member but create a loving relationship that will last a
lifetime.
Here's how to make it a delightful journey.
Preparation is the key;
Step 1
Start preparing for "the big day" well in advance.
Gradually modifying your lifestyle will help your
pets adjust.
Step 2 Play a tape of baby cries and other
common infant noises so your pet gets familiar with
the sound.
Step 3
Socialize your pets, ahead of time, with friends who
have children and infants.
Step 4 Make sure your pets are spayed and
neutered. This will help reduce any aggression
problems.
Step 5 Have all pets checked by your
veterinarian and make sure their stool is checked
for parasites.
Step 6 Practice walking your dog with a stroller
before you actually have an infant around.
Step 7
Try establishing your new walking routine early on.
Anticipate when you will be walking your dog.
Step 8 Try to get your pets used to being
handled with a child's heavy hand. Try
touching their ears and tails more often.
Step 9 Wrap a doll in towels and carry it around
the house.
Step 10 Check your home carefully for fleas,
ticks and mites.
Bringing baby home;
Step 1
Acquaint your pet with the scent of the baby by
putting the baby's blanket on the ground and letting
the pet sniff it.
Step 2 Try not to make a big deal out of the
initial meeting of your baby and the pet.
Step 3
Take your dog for a good long walk prior to the
arrival of the baby.
Step 4 Make sure your dog is on a leash
when introducing it to the baby.
Step 5 NEVER leave your pet alone with the
baby. Supervise the pet while it has a chance
to explore and take in the new odors and sounds.
Step 6 Remember, your pet, who was used to a lot
of attention, will feel confused and jealous if you
focus only on the new baby. Give your pet
attention and include it in all the fuss.
Step 7 Do not leave the door open to the
nursery. Cats will investigate and may even
find the crib a cozy place to sleep.
This is your chance to help develop a very special bond
between your pets and your baby. Often, pets become your
baby's best friend and guardian. This friendship develops
over the years, as both child and pet grow and change. A
little bit of knowledge can go a long way in creating this
loving bond.
The
miracle of childbirth will change your life forever. And
someone else's life will be changed as well, your pet's.
The
