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Pets and a New Baby
How to Make the Transition in Your New Family's Life a Smooth One By: Pamela A. MacDonald Harron RLAT, VT
Even before you plan to extend your family, it is wise to start preparing yourself and your pets for the upcoming change in lifestyle. Closely examine the disposition of your pets to determine whether they are capable of living compatibly with children in the home. If your pet has never been exposed to babies, gradually introduce them to children and most importantly in a controlled environment. You must also feel confident that your pet has the patience to tolerate the pats and tugs a child may inflict on them. Most cats and breeds of dogs adjust well to children and will accept then new member of the family as part of the pack. Most dogs will recognize the new baby as a puppy and learn to interact with the baby and eventually protect it. Help your pet adapt to the idea of a new baby by using a baby-size doll as a training aid. By pretending to carry, sing, rock, nurse, put to bed, and even walk this baby in a stroller, these actions will help your pet learn to adjust to the idea of someone else being the focus of your attention. Try using recordings of baby sounds such as crying, cooing and babbling to make the situation more realistic and to help accustom your pet to the familiar sounds when the baby actually arrives in the home. While you train your pet to the idea of a new addition, give them lots of attention so they will feel this exercise is a positive experience for them. If your dog has never been formally trained, perhaps a few lessons at home will be helpful. A few taught commands such as "stay", "sit", and "down" will be beneficial. If your pet is frisky or energetic in your childless home, this may become a problem when the baby arrives. These training sessions will help you gain better control over your dog. Assess the surroundings in which your pet lives in. The pet's feeding area, sleeping quarters, litter box and toys shouldn't be easily accessible to a crawling baby. Consider moving these now so the pet can adjust to the new changes before the baby arrives. Never assume that your pleasant, easy-going pet will not become aggressive when his/her food or toys are threatened. The risk is too great. If your pet is overdue for a visit to the veterinarian, make and appointment well before the baby is born. Be sure your pet is up to date with vaccinations. If your pet goes outdoors, talk to your veterinarian about a flea prevention treatment for the summer months. Make sure to avoid treatments such as flea collars, powders, mousses or sprays because they contain insecticides that could be toxic to your baby if in contact with them. Be sure your pet has a routine fecal test done to ensure it is free of endoparasites. There are several zoonotic diseases that can be transmitted to your baby from your pet. Always practice proper hygiene by washing your hands and your baby's hands after interacting with pets. Once you have delivered your new baby, have your partner take home an unwashed piece of clothing or receiving blanket that has your newborn's smell on it. That way your pet will become familiar with the new scent well before baby arrives home from the hospital. When you do arrive home, have your partner hold the baby while you greet your pet. To satisfy their curiosity toward this new bundle, encourage your pet to sniff the baby but ensure they are nothing but gentle towards the new addition. If at any time your pet shows the slightest aggression towards your baby, reprimand with verbal commands immediately after the behaviour has occurred. if the pet continues to demonstrate aggressive behaviour towards your baby, keep him/her separate from the baby until you and your pet have extinguished the undesirable behaviour. If after separating your pet from your baby doesn't resolve the pet's aggression, one option would be to consult your veterinarian for behavioural advice. Most importantly, when having pets and babies living together as a family, constant supervision is the only rule for safety.
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