Sam has been your best friend for years. He adores you and has always given you unconditional love. He’s seen you through thick and thin, and has been at your side through every crisis. Now, the baby’s here and Sam is out the door.
Unfortunately, this is the fate for many pets — cats and dogs who have been replaced by a “new baby.” Animal shelters receive millions of throwaway pets each year, and many of them are due to a new baby.
It doesn't have to be like this for the pet who was your FIRST “baby,” teaching you how to be parents with the responsibility of caring and giving love. What it takes is learning a few ways of how to prepare your pet for the new baby before and after baby arrives.
How to Prepare Your Pet for the New Baby Beforehand
Understand that your pet will need time and patience; after all, your cat or dog was your first “baby” and is already accustomed to receiving all the attention. A new baby means your pet will be bombarded with new sounds, smells and things that will add stress to the adjustment period. Helping your pet get used to these before the baby arrives will make it easier when the baby comes home. Here are some ways to prepare your pet for the new baby while you’re still pregnant. Remember to reward your pet with a treat when a positive response is exhibited.
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- Take your pet to the veterinarian for a routine health exam and necessary vaccinations.
- Spay or neuter your pet for the obvious reasons, as well as the fact that altered pets are frequently calmer and less likely to bite.
- Solicit the aid of a pet trainer to work on aggressive habits before the baby arrives.
- Jumping and running activities around the house should be untaught before the baby arrives.
- Get into the habit of keeping your pet’s nails trimmed. Consider getting your pet accustomed to acrylic nail caps that will not scratch baby.
- Let your pet become accustomed to baby-related noises. Let your pet hear the recorded sounds of babies crying as well as sounds of toys and other noisy items you’ll be using with baby.
- Encourage friends with babies to visit, being especially careful to supervise all baby/pet interactions.
- Introduce your pet to the baby’s room while training him on limits to where he is permitted to be.
- Plan to use a removable gate or a screen door (for cats) as a barrier to the room, for times when you will want the room to be off-limits.
- Use a baby doll to help train your pet how to behave around the swaddled bundle in your arms.
- Let your pet become acquainted with baby smells like powder, formula and baby oil.
- Let your dog get used to someone else walking him, especially if this has been your job.
- Have a pet sitter lined up for the big day (and/or night)!
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How to Prepare Your Pet for the New Baby After Coming Home
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- Before coming home with the baby, have someone take home something with the baby’s scent (such as a blanket) for your pet to investigate.
- Have someone take the baby to another room as you great him with a warm “hello” and treats.
- Acquaint your pet to the baby a little at a time and under supervision. Have treats ready for rewarding proper behavior.
- Find time to pay attention to your pet when you’re not busy with baby.
- Feed your pet just before feeding the baby so that he won’t want to get some of the baby’s food.
- As baby gets older, teach him to respect your pet and not pull ears, poke eyes or do anything else that might frighten or upset your pet.
- Cats frequently exhibit stress by urinating outside the litter box. Keep kitty litter extremely clean, and relocate the litter box temporarily. The behavior should go away once the cat is comfortable with the new baby and the new routine.
- Cats don’t smother babies. They just like to cuddle near something warm. Keep your baby safe from this type of cuddling by using a latching screen door for the baby’s bedroom.
- Associate the presence of baby with positive things and positive rewards.
- Use soft voices around your pet when he is close to your baby.
- Never leave your pet alone with the baby!
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And, They Lived Happily Ever After ...
There’s no reason why this shouldn’t be the end to your story, as well. Pets and babies can be a wonderful combination when the time is taken to prepare your pet for the new baby before the baby arrives. The pet that you’ve loved for so long can easily become a loving companion to your child as he grows.
Resource: The Humane Society of the United States
More from SheKnows
• Including the Kids in Puppy Training
• How to Introduce Pets to Your Children
• Teaching Kids Pet Etiquette
• Best Pets for Families
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