Introducing pets to your new bundle of joy!
Pets are a part of the family. They greet you at the door when you come home, and some have been with you through various milestones. One of these milestones is introducing a human baby to the household. It’s important to acclimate your pet to the new family member, as there may be mixed feelings about the addition.
Prepping Ahead
Whether you have a cat, dog or both, the prep work for a new arrival will be similar, says Lillian Ciardelli, an associate certified applied animal behaviorist with Behave Atlanta that serves clients in Buckhead and Brookhaven. She suggests setting up barriers ahead of time to keep the baby safe and separated from pets, especially when unsupervised. Parents should also try to reduce the number of sudden changes that may stress out their pet.
If you have to alter your pet’s sleeping arrangement, make the change a few weeks ahead of time so they can get used to the new digs before the baby arrives. The same goes with introducing your pet to potentially scary items like strollers. Try to acclimatize them to new equipment before the baby gets home.
“We also suggest playing a recording of baby sounds to help desensitize your pets to them,” Ciardelli says. “When you have clothes and blankets that smell like a baby, you can let the dog or cat smell those, too.”
Old Habits Die Hard
Even though your household will be busy and preoccupied with the new baby, your pets will still need individual attention, especially at the beginning.
“We suggest reaching out to your personal network to see if they can be on call to either take your pet for a few days while your baby settles in or help walk/feed/play with your pet during that first week or two,” Ciardelli says.
Dogs and cats thrive on a routine for walks, playtime and meals. If those routines change once the baby comes home, start tweaking them ahead of time so your pet is accustomed to the new schedule.
Reining Cats and Dogs
When it comes to pet-proofing the home for the baby, the procedure may look a little different depending on which type of pet you have. “For example, if you want to completely keep a cat out of a space, you may need a floorto- ceiling gate,” Ciardelli says. “Cats tend to be fairly interested in baby furniture, while dogs are more into diapers and food.” For both kinds of pets, it’s best to keep them a safe distance away from the baby while they are getting used to the new smells, sights and sounds. Ciardelli suggests using treats and attention as positive reinforcement for cats and dogs and to keep interactions with the new baby short.
A Fallback Plan
If your pets are not reacting well to the new baby in the home, don’t panic. Professional trainers are always available, and don’t forget that personal network you tapped into ahead of time. “Babies are constantly developing and changing, so your pet may struggle with a certain phase but not another,” Ciardelli says. “Take things one step at a time and adjust barriers as needed.”
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WHAT NOT TO DO
1. Never push the baby toward the pet. Allow the pet to come to you.
2. Don’t introduce the two if your cat or dog is showing uncertain or fearful body language.
3. Don’t allow the baby to grab the pet, and never place the baby on the animal.
4. Don’t rush it!
