Baby's Arrival: How To Prepare Your Animal For It?

2023 Author: Lynn Laird | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-08-25 09:49

When you get pregnant it is natural for you and your partner to feel a little nervous, especially if you are a pet owner. Sure enough, your furry friend's reaction to baby's arrival at your house is absolutely unpredictable, so you have good reason to worry about how the two will get along. Fortunately, with a little preparation, you can help even the most pampered beast make the transition smooth and stress-free. The process depends on the type of animal you own, its personality, breed, and your pre-existing family dynamics. However, there are a few general tips and tricks that really work to “keep dogs and cats saliva away from your newborn” when they are first born. meet.

What steps to take to prepare your pet for the baby's arrival?

Pregnancy is the time when you and your pet have to get used to the changes, because after the baby is born your life will be reorganized in a new way.

Make a plan

Your best companion may realize that something is brewing when you start hoarding accessories and decorating baby's room. Anxious beasts can respond by hiding or even peeing anywhere. So make sure they have unhindered access to their litter box, food, water and their favorite resting places.

Whether your four-legged friend is a dog, cat, or some other animal, the first thing to do is plan. Dogs can be enthusiastic learners, but they can also show jealousy because they are no longer the center of attention. The same is true for cats. Felines can be finicky and some find it difficult to accept change.

So use the length of pregnancy to prepare your best companion for the baby's arrival. As a start, move these toys and toiletries to a more private area. You should also install the nursery furniture as soon as possible to give your hairy ball several weeks to examine each surface before declaring it off-limits.

Introduce your pet to typical baby sounds and smells

Newborn babies are noisy. After all, the only way for them to report discomfort, hunger, sadness, or exhaustion is by crying. At the same time, the baby's crying and the extra fuss can be overwhelming for the animals. To avoid this, it is recommended to introduce common sounds and aromas before the appearance of the new family member.

Bring home any blankets or clothes your baby has worn. Since dogs and cats have a strong sense of smell, this will help your pet become familiar with its scent before its first introduction. Similarly, use recordings of infant sounds in combination with animal treats in order to stimulate the beast to form associations. Why ? Because instead of being scared or upset by the noise, your dog or cat will welcome it.

Change your pet's routine beforehand

Of course, everything will change when baby arrives for you and your pet. The duration of the walks and the playing time can be reduced. While you will be the primary caregiver for your child, you will need to gradually change your best partner's daily routine. For example, try to vary the time you feed him. If he eats breakfast every morning at 7:00 a.m., start feeding him at random times between 6:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. In addition, you can also keep to your friend's regular schedule using an automatic food dispenser.

Resist the temptation to lavish special attention on your animal in the weeks leading up to the due date. This will only set her up for greater disappointment when the infant arrives and takes center stage. Instead, start scheduling short play and cuddle sessions, gradually giving her less and less attention at other times of the day. Schedule your sessions randomly so that your dog or cat doesn't expect a certain time.

While you are pregnant, try to take the empty stroller with you on walks so that your dog can get used to the new system ahead of time. It can even be useful to place a baby doll in it. The latter can be a substitute for the baby you will be bringing home. You can teach the dog to lick only the feet of the toy. Praise your dog for any kind of gentle touch and give him lots of treats.

If, on the other hand, your dog tries to bite the doll (at first, he might think it's a toy), say "No". Then immediately redirect his attention to another suitable object and enthusiastically praise him if he plays with that instead. Also, teach him to be extremely attentive with whatever is in your arms.

Set new rules

Putting limits in place before the baby arrives is essential. If you do not want your dog or cat to jump on the toddler's crib or on you while carrying the infant in your arms, introduce this restriction now. The same goes for sleeping - if your pet is used to sleeping in your bed or bedroom and you want it to stop, it's important to show him this emphatically as soon as possible.

Even if your dog loves children, he might accidentally scratch your baby's delicate skin while riding next to him in the car. So consider installing a car gate, purchasing a dog seat belt, or teaching your canine friend to relax in a dog bed when in the vehicle.

Having a noisy dog or cat in your home can be a serious problem at times when your baby is trying to take a nap. If you plan to spend time in the nursery, ask your beast to spend some quiet time in the room with you. Try giving her a new chew bone or cat toy to work on during your quiet sessions. You can occasionally give her a treat while she is lying on her bed. This practice will make her happy to be with the baby and reward her for staying in her place.

Teach your pet important new skills

Having good verbal control over your best mate can really help juggle his or her needs and baby care. The following skills are particularly important.

• For example, you can teach your beast to lie down and be still every time you sit in your nursing chair.
• Your dog or cat should know that baby's belongings are not allowed to touch.
• A jumping dog can be annoying at best and dangerous at worst - when you hold the baby.
• If your hairy ball is nervous, teach her to sniff your hand with her nose to give her something to do when she's near the baby. It might make her feel more comfortable and confident. Once your dog gets used to this gesture, you can even allow him to gently touch the baby with his muzzle!
• Teaching your dog to leave when you ask him to do so will allow you to control his movements and interactions with your baby, especially in case he is jumping or is not just in a good mood.

How to introduce the baby to your animal?

So you've done the prep work, you feel ready to go, but what about when you bring your brand new baby home for the first time?

Introduce your newborn slowly

Once you and your baby are back home, you will need to officially introduce the new family member to your dog or cat. However, it is advisable to wait at least a few minutes.

When you first arrive from the hospital, greet your pet the same way you always do. This will prevent the dogs from pouncing and calm their nerves. Once you have had your quiet reunion, you can welcome your loved ones and friends who might be there to visit you. It is best to first take the time to let your furry friend meet the baby. This meeting should be done with caution. Keep the newborn in your arms at all times. Have your partner hold the dog on a leash or the cat in his arms. If your pet seems irritated or anxious, give him some space. Then try again after a few days.

It is essential to remain calm and relaxed when the baby arrives in the house. If you appear nervous, your beast will understand your feelings and may also get nervous, thinking that the bundle in your arms is something to fear. Instead, talk to your dog in a soft but happy voice. Try to distract him with lots of treats so that his attention is divided between them, your baby and other people present. Praise your canine friend for any calm interest in the infant. Avoid scolding him. Ultimately, you want him to associate the little one with good things, not your unhappiness.

Supervise all interactions

Babies make chaotic movements, which can frighten pets and may react unpredictably. This is why you must always be present when your baby and your cat or dog are in the same room so that you can intervene if necessary.

Even if your pet seems curious and calm, you may feel a little nervous about letting him get closer to the child. This is normal for new parents and perfectly reasonable. At first, it is best to allow only brief interactions. Let your dog smell the baby's feet for a few seconds. Then gently interrupt his investigation by congratulating him and asking him to sit or lie down. Reward him with a treat. If you wish, repeat this sequence several times. Then ask your partner to distract your furry friend.

When your baby is old enough to crawl or walk, teach him to stay away from your pet's toys, bowls, and bedding. Protective accessories can be very useful here.

To conclude, we can say that the arrival of a baby in your home will completely change your life. Caring for your newborn baby and furry loved one can be tricky in the early days, but with a little preparation and a lot of patience, you'll find that there is room in your home (and in your heart).) for both.

* Sources: healthline.com

pets.webmd.com

aspca.org