How to prepare your pet for baby’s arrival
It’s no surprise that when there’s a new baby in the family everything changes. And these changes affect more than just the two-legged members of the household. So, if you’re expecting, prepare your fur baby for all the changes to come.
Luckily, there’s a lot you can do before your bundle of joy arrives.
• Handle any lingering behavior problems before baby’s arrival.
If you’re already managing problematic behaviors, be warned that a major change like a new baby can exacerbate them. If you have a dog that is wary of sharing your affection or a cat that’s prone to scratching, now’s the time to get these behaviors in check so they don’t get even worse once the family gains a new and disruptive member.
• Prepare your pet for environmental changes.
It’s no secret that babies make a lot of noise and tend to come with a lot of stuff. Setting up the baby’s nursery in advance will give your dog or cat time to get accustomed to the new setup in the house while also giving you a chance to teach them any boundaries associated with that setup. Making the distinction between toys and beds intended for baby and your pet’s own toys and beds will be important.
• Playing baby sounds — especially crying sounds — ahead of time can also help them get acclimated.
Start by playing crying sounds at a lower volume and gradually increase it over time, while providing your pet with lots of positive reinforcement in the form of affection or treats.
If your pet is used to lots of attention from you, you may want to spend time carrying around a baby doll to help them get used to your hands being frequently occupied. Again, positive reinforcement is key in helping your dog or cat get used to this new routine.
• Introduce your pet to baby’s scent.
Let your dog or cat sniff a blanket or item of clothing belonging to the new baby before introducing them face-to-face. This might involve a family member bringing a hat or blanket home from the hospital before you come home with baby in tow.
• Slow and careful introductions are key.
When it’s finally time for the face-to-face introduction, go slowly and be sure to shower your cat or dog with praise when they behave properly and gently around the new baby. Start by letting your pet sniff the baby’s foot before letting them get better acquainted and offer plenty of treats to help build a positive association.
• Create safe spaces for your pet.
Make sure your cat or dog has plenty of places where they can retreat from the baby. This is especially important once your child starts crawling and even walking. Your pet needs to be able to escape curious little hands by heading to a room where your child isn’t permitted, or climbing up a cat tree to a level that your child can’t reach. And since cats may also seek out a child’s crib as a cozy bed, make sure kitty has plenty of other equally cozy places to nap so they won’t be tempted to crawl into bed with baby.
Want to learn more about your feline friend? Attend one of our virtual cat workshops. And if you think you may need a little extra help getting your feline or canine companion ready for a new baby’s arrival, or if you’re experiencing problems now that baby’s arrived, our behavior and training department can help. Head to marinhumane.org/oh-behave for training handouts, to learn more about consultations or to sign up for one of our workshops.
Julia Lamont is the social media and marketing specialist for Marin Humane, which contributes Tails of Marin articles and welcomes animal-related questions about the people and animals in our community. Go to marinhumane.org, find us on social media @marinhumane, or email lbloch@marinhumane.org.