How To Prepare Your Pets For The Baby

Shasta and Gizmo 

My husband and I have two wonderful dogs that are so much a part of what makes us a family. I am scared that their needs will fall by the wayside once the baby arrives.  I have been researching ways of how to help them adjust to a new baby preventing any depression, shock or resentment post-pregnancy.  Here are some of the ways I am preparing to keep their spirits up and behave like well-adjusted doggy siblings.

1. Write down dates of medication intake and future veterinarian appointments.  Both of our dogs take Frontline Flea Prevention and Heartguard once a month.  I usually have the date of dosage set in my head but since things will be chaotic post-pregnancy, I wrote down all the dates in which we will need to administer these medications.  I also went through their folder of when they will need their shots and annual check ups for the next year or so.

2. Include the dogs in your post-pregnancy workout routine.  Before I was pregnant one of my favorite things to do was take our Beagle mix, Shasta, on long runs.  It was a time for the two of us to be alone since our Chihuahua, Gizmo, is too small for such an endeavor.  The best part about running with a dog is that it tires them out and in turn they feel more relaxed and less anxious while hanging out at home.  I’m looking forward to getting back into my running routine and plan on taking Shasta with me at least twice a week. Click here to read more.

3. Bones and treats.  When there are bones around the dogs could care less about my anything else but the bones and they are in bliss.  We also have a Kong, which is a hollow rubber dog toy that you place wet food or treats inside.  The dogs spend their time trying to get the treats out and it is time consuming.  I believe they deserve to be spoiled for going through sleepless nights with us and sharing their household with a new baby. Click here to read more.

4. Bring home a hospital blanket and baby hat from the hospital pre-arrival.  A dog’s sense of smell helps them understand the world around them and they rely on it the same way humans rely on their sight.  As the dog sniffs the items from the hospital they become familiar with the idea of having the new little one in the house. Cesar Milan recommends at first have the dogs sniff the items from afar.  According to him, “you are communicating to your dog that the item is yours and then giving permission for the dog to sniff. This helps the process of creating respect for the baby.” Click here to read more.

5. Train the dogs that the baby’s toys are not their toys.  Gizmo is pretty low key with stuffed animals.  He loves fetch so if there is a stuffed animal on the floor he is quick to retrieve it. Shasta, however, loves to play tug and destroy all toys in her path.  It’s pretty damn cute until we brought all the baby stuff home.  The first thing she went for is our diaper cake from our baby shower!  She wanted to tear those little diapers to shreds. My husband and I put a diaper on the floor and spent time with her to make sure she wouldn’t tear them to bits.  We are still working with her on the other items that she’s curious about - the teething rings, large stuffed animals and the Sleep Sheep on the crib. Click here to read more.

Just because your household dynamics are going to change does not mean that it has to be a stressful environment for your pets.  If you take control of the situation before the baby’s arrival and anticipate factors that lead to your dog’s uneasiness and confusion, you can make them more well adjusted and which will lead to a happier abode.