Pets and Babies: preparing pets for the arrival of a new baby
We are expecting a bumper crop of babies among our relatives and neighbors in the next few months, and of course, they all have pets. With that in mind, we thought it would be a good idea to review some of the best ways to ready pets for the new kid in town and to introduce everyone safely.
Begin now to prepare your dog or cat for this momentous change in the family. While you will still love your pet as much as ever, it's a fact of life that you will have less time to spend one-on-one with him.
— Prime your pet for the transition by making sure he has interactive toys that will keep him entertained when you are busy with the baby. Good choices include food puzzles, treat balls and other independent-play toys.
— Your pet should be used to staying on his own. If you are in the habit of taking him with you everywhere, now is the time to cut back on that so he learns that "me time" isn't scary. Instead, give him several short playtimes or attention periods throughout the day and continue this habit after the baby arrives.
— Take your pet to the veterinarian to make sure he is in good health and free of parasites.
— Enlist the services of a trainer or behaviorist to help with any behavior problems − such as jumping up on people, aggression or fear issues, or housetraining mistakes − that you've been meaning to work on.
— Scent is important to your pet. Accustom him now to the smell of baby products such as lotion and diaper cream. Apply them to your hands before handling your pet's toys and playing with him.
— Introduce baby noises through the use of a CD such as "Preparing Fido." Play it at a low level, giving your pet his favorite treats, and then gradually increase the volume. The goal is for him to stay relaxed despite the unusual sounds.
— Using a doll, practice doing "baby things" in the pet's presence, such as changing a diaper or going for a walk with a stroller. (The experience may help you feel more comfortable, too.)
— Cat owners, you may be concerned about toxoplasmosis. You can take some simple precautions to protect yourself and your baby from this infection. Keep your cat indoors so she can't hunt and eat wild prey. Scoop the litter box once or twice a day. (If you are pregnant, minimize risk by assigning this task to your spouse or another family member. If that's not possible, wear disposable gloves while scooping the box, then discard the gloves and wash your hands thoroughly.) Toxoplasmosis can also be acquired from soil, so wear gloves while gardening. Finally, ask your doctor and your veterinarian about running titers on family members and your cat. You may already have immunity.
— Once the baby is born, have your spouse or another family member take home a blanket, diaper or other item that carries the baby's scent. That person should let your pet sniff it and give him a treat and praise him as he does so. This will help him to associate the baby with good things.
— When you come home, greet your pet first without the baby. Then with a favorite treat or toy to give, such as a stuffed Kong, let him meet Junior under your watchful eye. Always supervise interactions between pets and babies so you can teach them how to behave around each other. You'll be laying the foundation for a strong and happy relationship between your children and animals.
Do you have a pet question? Send it to askpetconnection@gmail.com or visit Facebook.com/DrMartyBecker. Pet Connection is produced by veterinarian Dr. Marty Becker, journalist Kim Campbell Thornton, and dog trainer/behavior consultant Mikkel Becker.
This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Pet Connection: Preparing pets for the arrival of a new baby
