Help Your Pet Welcome Your New Baby

If you have had your pet for quite some time, expecting a baby could bring out behaviors you have never seen your pet exhibit. Normally an exciting time for parents, your pet may not share your happiness about your new baby. Sometimes pets tend to feel left out or set aside by the new baby. They do not always understand that a new baby is something mom and dad have been looking forward to. It is important to help your pet accept and adjust to the changes about to occur in their home.

Smells Are Essential

Almost all pets, dogs and cats especially, are driven by smells. Your house smells a certain way to them, and when someone new is brought in, they notice the new smell almost immediately. One way to help the transition is to introduce baby smells to the home before the baby is born. The smell of baby lotion on your skin, baby powder in the air, and packages of diapers and wipes stacked in the baby’s room can help.

During your hospital stay, ask the nursery staff if you could take home one of your baby’s used receiving blankets for your pet to smell. If you place this near the pet’s feeding dish, you will help him associate the smell of the baby with eating, one of his favorite activities. Since you will not want your pet to try to sleep with your baby do not put the receiving blanket with your baby’s scent near your pet’s bedding.

Positive First Encounter

The day you bring baby home from the hospital, be sure you greet your pet as you normally would, just without too much excitement. Perhaps you can leave the baby in the car with another parent while you say hi to your pet. Then, bring the baby in and calmly introduce them. Do let your pet smell and look at your baby, but do not let your pet jump towards your baby or lick her face. If your pet tends to get excited in new situations, consider having her restrained when you have this first meeting.

Watch Carefully

You will need to watch carefully for the first several months for any signs of aggression towards the new baby on the part of your pet. Many pets are indifferent to the new addition, while others are extremely concerned, looking for you the moment the baby cries. You will need to deal with any signs of fear or aggression in your pet. Your vet may have suggestions for training methods to help ease your pet’s transition. Unlike humans, dogs at least do not require testosterone cream. Your baby and pet should never be left alone together because your pet could be unpredictable.

Once your new baby and pet have established a good relationship, you will have wonderful opportunities to do things like take walks as a family. Remember to be patient with your pet since a new baby is a big change not only for you but for your pet.

————————

David Cummings is a devoted parent and husband and a regular author on many family topics. He is devoted to helping parents build better family time together and to ensuring a brighter future for all children through his contributions to children-based organizations. David is also the General Manager for Bustling Baby, LLC => http://www.BustlingBaby.com