What To Do With My Pet When A Baby Arrives?
The arrival of a baby is exciting, although it also brings many changes at home. This implies a new routine that will affect all members of the family, including pets. In fact, we are aware that many future moms have doubts about what to do with the pet when a baby arrives.
First of all, you should know that some pets are susceptible to changes, so we recommend making adjustments during the pregnancy months.
The goal is to minimize the chances that the pet will resent the arrival of the new family member. Implementing the changes well in advance will allow you to impose the general rules of the house that you would like to have.
Tips to prepare your pet for the arrival of a baby
Here are some suggestions to keep in mind to prepare your pet for the arrival of a baby. Take note!
1. Create a positive environment
Many pets learn to associate the presence of a new baby with inattention, confinement, or even punishment. The goal is to teach her that good things happen in the baby’s presence.
On the other hand, it also rewards the pet for obedient and relaxed behavior in the presence of the child, so that it develops a positive association.
2. Prepare the animal for the baby’s cries
A crying baby can scare even the placid pet. To get your pet ready for these moments, start playing the sound recording of a crying baby and, at the same time, reward him. It’s also a good idea to expose your pet to young children before the baby arrives.
3. Show him the areas to avoid
Third, we remind you that, before the baby arrives, you must allow the pet to explore the areas where the little one sleeps and change areas. This means that you must teach the animals that these areas are off limits.
4. Slowly reduce your attention
To get used to the consequences that the arrival of the baby will bring, it is suggested that you give your pet less attention and cut a few additional minutes.
This will minimize the planned impact once you join the family. You will have to prepare your pet, used to receiving pampering and attention, so that it gets used to the fact that from now on it will no longer be the priority.
5. Never leave the pet and baby alone
Most problems with pets occur when babies begin to crawl and walk. Their movements can be unpredictable and this can excite or threaten pets.
Sometimes awkward actions can cause a pet pain and provoke an adverse response. Therefore, you should never leave your pet and baby alone, no matter how much you trust them.
6. Change the schedules
As for the schedules, that is something that will also change. Before the baby arrives, try to gradually alter your pet’s feeding, exercise, and playtime, especially a dog.
7. Monitor the relationship
Because babies have strange, jerky movements that pets cannot see, not to mention the sounds they make, there is a different dynamic with babies compared to having young children at home.
For this reason, you should always stay close while you introduce your new little one to the pet; likewise, you have to continue with supervision in the weeks and months that follow, until they get used to normality. It doesn’t matter how safe and friendly they are!
8. Pretend you have a baby in your arms
Finally, and although it may seem absurd, it is positive that you get a large doll and pretend that you have a baby in your arms. Take into consideration that it is important for your pet to feel a positive association with the baby, so try to reward her for positive behavior when she is in the presence of the doll.
Finally, remember that changes in the life of an animal must begin months before the arrival of the baby, and even better if they begin during the first months of pregnancy. We are sure that you will enjoy this beautiful experience and the benefits of having a pet at home!
