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If you are expecting and have pets, it is wise to prepare your previous “baby” for the arrival of the new one. Help your pet have a stress-free adjustment to the new arrival so that they can learn to cope with the associated changes in their life. The goal is that the pet welcomes the baby and normal routine is not changed. With only a few exceptions, every pet can remain with the family.
Since your pet may have become accustomed to being the center of your world, part of the preparation is to gradually get them used to less time with you by shifting some of that attention to another member of the family who will be less involved in the infant‘s care.
Long before a baby arrives there are many measures that will help the pet adjust. These will also help relieve any concerns you may have. Have your pet evaluated by a veterinarian so that it is current on vaccinations and free from parasites. Trim and smooth off nails. The pet should be sterilized. Behavior issues should be resolved through training or consultation with experts.
Encourage your friends with infants to bring their babes to your home so that your pets can become more comfortable around them. Exposure to the smells and sounds of infants is an important conditioning for pets. NOTE: This must be done under very close supervision but in a manner that will not make the pet feel stressed.
Other suggestions are to include your pet in your preparations and gathering of paraphernalia for the baby. Give them positive rewards…treats or praise when around the baby clothes, furniture and toys. Teach them in a positive way if you are going to make the baby room off-limits. Some suggest even going so far as to have a screen door installed so that the pet can still see, smell and hear the ambiance of the area, especially after the baby arrives.
Some propose that you expose the pet to a baby doll in a welcoming way. Baby powder will make the doll smell like a baby. Have the pet there while you do mock baby activities like bathing, changing (although the odor will be missing!), rocking in a chair and cuddling on your lap. A dog can be trained to stay quietly by your side during these activities. I am not so sure a cat can be trained to do anything!
Before the infant arrives home, expose the pet to the smells of a garment or blanket that the baby has worn. Upon arrival home try to take time right away to greet your pet separately and then soon after introduce the baby to them while giving the pet positive reinforcement. Your goal is to have the presence of the infant be a positive experience for the pet. Someday they will be best buddies. Again, be reminded that you should never leave a baby or child alone with a pet, even for just a moment.
It is an “old wives tale” that cats will suck the breath and life out of a baby’s mouth. It is posited that this myth is based on the coincidental occurrence of sudden infant death (SIDS) while a cat was present because they did what cats do…they sought out a warm soft place to nap.
A related issue for pregnant women who have contact with cat feces concerns fears about contracting a disease called Toxoplasmosis that can cause birth defects. It is not necessary to remove the cat. The chance that this would happen is very low. Only cats who ingest raw tissue of rodents containing infective cysts can pass it on. This eliminates most indoor cats. An infected cat will only eliminate oocysts in its feces for about two weeks. Additionally the oocysts can only become infective five days after being eliminated. If feces are removed from the litter box daily exposure to the disease is unlikely. Wearing gloves or immediate hand washing when cleaning litter boxes should eliminate the likelihood. Some women choose to avoid the litter box completely during pregnancy as an absolute precaution.
Anne Divine is a long-time volunteer with LAWS and animal control.
volunteer.
18 years. She can be reached at: adivine@kc.rr.com.
If you are expecting and have pets, it is wise to prepare your previous “baby” for the arrival of the new one. Help your pet have a stress-free adjustment to the new arrival so that they can learn to cope with the associated changes in their life. The goal is that the pet welcomes the baby and normal routine is not changed. With only a few exceptions, every pet can remain with the family.
Since your pet may have become accustomed to being the center of your world, part of the preparation is to gradually get them used to less time with you by shifting some of that attention to another member of the family who will be less involved in the infant‘s care.
Long before a baby arrives there are many measures that will help the pet adjust. These will also help relieve any concerns you may have. Have your pet evaluated by a veterinarian so that it is current on vaccinations and free from parasites. Trim and smooth off nails. The pet should be sterilized. Behavior issues should be resolved through training or consultation with experts.
Encourage your friends with infants to bring their babes to your home so that your pets can become more comfortable around them. Exposure to the smells and sounds of infants is an important conditioning for pets. NOTE: This must be done under very close supervision but in a manner that will not make the pet feel stressed.
Other suggestions are to include your pet in your preparations and gathering of paraphernalia for the baby. Give them positive rewards…treats or praise when around the baby clothes, furniture and toys. Teach them in a positive way if you are going to make the baby room off-limits. Some suggest even going so far as to have a screen door installed so that the pet can still see, smell and hear the ambiance of the area, especially after the baby arrives.
Some propose that you expose the pet to a baby doll in a welcoming way. Baby powder will make the doll smell like a baby. Have the pet there while you do mock baby activities like bathing, changing (although the odor will be missing!), rocking in a chair and cuddling on your lap. A dog can be trained to stay quietly by your side during these activities. I am not so sure a cat can be trained to do anything!
Before the infant arrives home, expose the pet to the smells of a garment or blanket that the baby has worn. Upon arrival home try to take time right away to greet your pet separately and then soon after introduce the baby to them while giving the pet positive reinforcement. Your goal is to have the presence of the infant be a positive experience for the pet. Someday they will be best buddies. Again, be reminded that you should never leave a baby or child alone with a pet, even for just a moment.
It is an “old wives tale” that cats will suck the breath and life out of a baby’s mouth. It is posited that this myth is based on the coincidental occurrence of sudden infant death (SIDS) while a cat was present because they did what cats do…they sought out a warm soft place to nap.
A related issue for pregnant women who have contact with cat feces concerns fears about contracting a disease called Toxoplasmosis that can cause birth defects. It is not necessary to remove the cat. The chance that this would happen is very low. Only cats who ingest raw tissue of rodents containing infective cysts can pass it on. This eliminates most indoor cats. An infected cat will only eliminate oocysts in its feces for about two weeks. Additionally the oocysts can only become infective five days after being eliminated. If feces are removed from the litter box daily exposure to the disease is unlikely. Wearing gloves or immediate hand washing when cleaning litter boxes should eliminate the likelihood. Some women choose to avoid the litter box completely during pregnancy as an absolute precaution.
Anne Divine is a long-time volunteer with LAWS and animal control.
volunteer.
18 years. She can be reached at: adivine@kc.rr.com.
