Pets and Baby

The Babble Staff

If you have pets, chances are they're used to monopolizing your lap time. When a baby suddenly appears on the scene, a dog or a cat might get territorial. Some prep work before your baby arrives can ease the transition. If you play your cards right, your pet can adjust, and may even join you in being protective of your baby. Common sense goes a long way, experts say. The key is not leaving pets alone with your baby. Horror stories about cats or dogs suffocating or attacking newborns aside, most experts agree such incidents are exceedingly rare — most pets know not to injure a family member. But once baby becomes mobile and realizes how much fun it is to poke and prod your pet, Fluffy might try to set some boundaries by taking a swipe at junior. With supervision and mediation, most pets and babies will eventually settle in to peaceful coexistence. On another note, experts urge pregnant women to be very careful around cat litter, since cat feces can carry toxoplasmosis, which is harmful to pregnant women and their babies. Allergies are separate chapter, but some research shows that the presence of household pets early in life may actually decrease the risk of developing allergies later in life.

"Understanding a little animal psychology can help make things easier on felines and canines alike. All pets are concerned with territory. If, for example, your cat likes to sleep in a particular spot in your family room, pick another spot to park the bouncy seat. And animals, like babies, thrive on predictability and routine. If you're planning on moving your furniture around or turning your office into a nursery, do it long before the baby comes so your pet can get used to one world-rocking change at a time."
...read the full article

"If your family already includes a pet, you'll need to help that first 'baby' adjust to the new one you'll soon bring home. You can help your pet cope with this big change in much the same way parents help children understand that a new brother or sister will be joining the family. By following the tips below, you can ease your pet's stress, help her welcome your new baby, and ensure that your pet stays where she belongs — with you and your growing family." ...read the full article

"You may be looking forward to the arrival of a new baby, but some members of your household may be less than enthusiastic. Cats and dogs can become stressed and unhappy, causing problems for you and baby. So what are the risks and can pets and babies really mix?" ...read the full article

"Babies and cats do not have to be mutually exclusive. By using patience and common sense, you can teach your new baby and your cat mutual respect and ease the introduction of a new baby into your previously cat-owned home." ...read the full article

"Reading the Humane Society of the United States' suggestions for how to prepare your pet for the arrival of your baby made me realize how negligent my husband and I had been before our daughter's arrival 10 years ago. In the months before her birth, I was supposed to be anointing myself with eau de baby wipe to get our two cats accustomed to new scents. I should have held, bathed, and diapered a swaddled doll in their presence. Thank goodness I didn't have a dog then, or I'd have to take it for walks accompanied by the doll in the stroller." ...read the full article