Our pets are loved and treated like babies, but what happens when it’s time for an actual human baby to join the family?
Getting your pets prepared for a new arrival is a challenge many pet parents face. However, if you prepare well and are patient, the transition can be successful, and before you know it, your baby and pet will be best friends.
Continue reading to learn about how you can successfully prepare your pet for the addition of a baby.
Getting a New Dog
If you plan to get a dog while pregnant, or shortly before you plan to fall pregnant, it’s a good idea to consider getting a dog that is good with young children and families.
It’s a known fact that certain dog breeds do better around young children than others. Dog breeds such as Golden Retrievers, Labradors, Beagles, Cavoodles, Toy Poodles, Maltese, Shih Tzus, and Groodles are often considered good family dogs.
Make sure you do your research and ask dog breeders, family, and friends before deciding on a dog.
Before the Baby Arrives
Before the baby arrives, there are some crucial steps that need to be taken to ensure a smooth transition. These things include:
Understanding Basic Commands
Does your dog understand basic commands like ‘sit’, ‘stay’, and ‘come’? Simple commands like these allow you to easily control your dog’s behaviour, and can stop your dog from getting too close to the baby.
Teach Your Pets Not to Jump Up
The last thing you want is for your dog or cat to jump up where your baby is sleeping and wake or scare them, or to knock them over when they are just learning how to walk.
Reinforce the commands of ‘sit’ and ‘down’ for your dog. With cats, stand up as soon as they jump onto your lap and teach them the command of ‘up’, so they know they can only jump up when they are invited to do so. Reward good behaviours with dog and cat treats.
Train Pets Not to Go Into the Baby’s Room
The baby’s room should be off-limits to all pets. Allow them to explore the space before the baby arrives, but then make it off-limits to them. This may require physical deterrents, such as a door barrier to keep animals out.
Change Their Sleeping Habits
If your pet sleeps in the same room or bed as you, you will need to move their sleeping area to another room or bed.
Relocate your pet’s bed and sleeping toys to the new area. Gradually help your pet adjust to sleeping there by rewarding them for using the new space.
Take Your Dogs for Walks with a Pram
It may feel a bit silly to take an empty pram on a walk with your dog, but it will allow your dog to get used to walking alongside it and at the same pace.
Never attach your dog’s leash to the pram.
Play Baby Sounds
Play recordings of a baby crying or gurgling around your dog or cat, so they can get used to the sounds they will soon be hearing all the time.
Start with low volume and increase it gradually.
Expose Them to Babies and Young Children
If you have family and friends who have babies or young children, make sure your pets are exposed to them in the lead-up to the baby’s arrival.
Carry Around a Baby Doll
Act as if the doll is a baby and teach your pet not to approach too closely. Reward positive behaviour with treats.
Get Them Used to Certain Scents
Rub some baby lotion and nappy balm onto your hands and let your pets smell them.
Reduce Time with Pets
Once the baby arrives, you will naturally focus most of your time and attention on them and spend less time with your pets.
Attempt to spend less time with your pets in the lead-up to the baby’s arrival. Even though it may be difficult to do, it will help your pets in the long run.
Create Safe Spaces
Your pets may want a quiet place to escape to when the baby is crying or when there are a lot of visitors around. Set up a quiet space for them away from all the action, with their pet beds, food, water and toys, so they can escape there for some quiet time.
After the Baby Arrives
Your Baby’s Scent
After your baby arrives, have someone bring home a blanket or outfit with your baby’s scent for your pets to smell.
Introducing Your Pet to the Baby
Your pet’s first introduction to the baby is important. Make sure that there are at least two adults present, so the situation can be easily controlled.
With dogs, keep them on a leash so they don’t get too excited and scare the baby. Once they are calm, introduce the baby to them and then reward them with a treat to associate positive behaviours with the baby.
Cats may run off and hide when the new baby is brought home. This is normal, and it’s important to be patient with them and show them affection and attention when they do come out of hiding.
Reinforce Positive Behaviours Around the Baby
Whenever your pets are in the baby’s presence and well-behaved, reward that behaviour with treats, lots of love, and praise, so they quickly learn how to act around the baby.
Make Time for Your Pet
Do your best to make time for your pets, although it may not be as much time as you were able to spend with them before, it’s still better than nothing, and they will love any attention you give them.
Supervise Supervise Supervise
Supervision is incredibly important at all times. If you notice any signs of aggression from your pet towards the baby, separate them immediately and seek professional help if the behaviour persists.
As your baby gets older, they will become more playful, inquisitive and active, and often want to run after your pet. Encourage them to interact with your pet, but gently. Teach them that pets are not toys.
Get Professional Advice and Help
If you notice your dog or cat acting aggressively or becoming emotionally withdrawn since the baby’s arrival, contact their vet or seek professional help.
At Potiki, we understand how precious your pets are. We also know that the unexpected can happen at any time, resulting in extremely high vet fees. These unforeseen circumstances are why it is best to be prepared with pet insurance. Potiki offer our customers flexible covers with excess and extras to give you and your family peace of mind. Visit our website to obtain a quick quote and explore our various coverage options.
FAQ
Every animal has a different personality. Both dogs and cats are good around babies in different ways: dogs are happy to interact and are generally friendly, while cats offer a more gentle, calming presence that babies sometimes need.
Keep your dog on a leash and wait until they are calm and relaxed before letting them smell the baby. Have another person hold the leash so the dog can be taken away instantly if they become too excitable or active.
Cats are generally more reserved than dogs, so they may run away and hide when the baby is first brought home. Be patient and wait for them to emerge before letting them sniff the baby.
Watch carefully for any signs that your cat may hiss or scratch, and instantly take the baby away if you notice their mood changing.
Do your best to give them as much attention as you can and reward them for good behaviour.
Children under the age of 7 should always be supervised when they are around dogs. Although most dogs are friendly, they are also overly excitable, and their moods can change in a moment, which is why dog bites and attacks are quite common.
If your dog’s mood changes easily, always supervise your children around them.
A cat’s mood can also quickly change, and they can go from a playful mood to a feisty, defensive one in seconds. Keep an eye on babies and young children whenever they are around cats.