If you imagine a happy family life with the cat’s purr or dog’s wagging, you don’t have to worry. Pet owners can prepare the pet for a new baby in many ways. Keeping the household harmonious by placing the pet’s security, happiness, and health should be a top priority.
It is quite natural to worry about how your pet is going to react after meeting the new baby a new family member, but the visions of a happy toddler and pet playing together will hopefully revoke any doubts. Many pets fall in love with babies just as humans do, but it may not happen overnight.
Pets can sometimes get confused by looking at the new baby, the new sounds and smells can be completely overwhelming. Also, there will be changes in the household routine which can trigger a deeply unsettled feeling in the pet who used to sleep the entire night without any noise of a baby crying.
It is good to prepare your pet for a new baby as soon as you come to know. Below are the ways you can prepare your pet:
- Make sure the pet is fully vaccinated and parasite prevented. If your pet needs some training, make sure you have enough time to address it beforehand.
- Basic manners: Jumping, whining, barking, and destructive behavior can be very dangerous around an infant and also during pregnancy. Make sure your pet must follow the directions given like to sit, get down, heel, stay, and leave.
- Make A New routine: A pet must act normal while sharing the bed, stretching out in the backseat, or even hanging around in the spare room and should learn the new rules. Make these changes before the baby arrives, so that the pet doesn’t act abnormally.
- New stuff: Encourage your pet to smell new goodies, diapers/wipes, and toys, and try giving lots of praise. This will help your pet in creating a positive association with all things baby before the arrival of the big day. Try to keep all smaller items out of reach of your pet, all the new and tiny accessories can be appealing, but they can also pose choking and other hazards for your pet.
- Stay neutral: When introducing your pet to a new baby, do it somewhere else besides the home. Say a neutral location that will help your pet to understand your new baby. When everyone is at home, pay some extra attention to your pet’s needs.
- Never force: Initially, many pets avoid babies. But don’t force the pet to interact with the baby; let the things interact develop naturally.
- Jealousy – Sometimes the pet may become jealous of all the attention which was earlier given to you is now given to the baby. Hence, make sure to make time for your furry friend so they don’t feel left out and as the child grows, teach your pet how to be polite and teach them to avoid bites and scratches.
For more details on how to prepare your pet, call us today and book an appointment.
