Question:
My husband and I are expecting our first child in five months, and we are concerned how this will affect our 14-year-old cat and two 4-year-old dogs. The cat has been around babies and seems happy to avoid them, but the dogs have never been around a baby. We socialized the dogs with children early in their lives and the dogs like children. What can we do to best prepare all of our pets for the new addition to the household?.
C.M., Annandale, Va May 30, 2004
Answer:
Purchase a life-like baby doll that cries when tilted, swaddle it, pretend to nurse it and get your companion animals well-habituated before the real baby arrives.When that day comes, let them see and sniff the baby, praise them, and always give them extra attention between diaper changes and feedings so that they don't feel displaced.Let them into the baby's room only when you are there and keep a net over the top of the crib for good measure to keep the cat out. Some animals do get upset when babies cry, so keep your cool and reassure the animals that the baby is OK.Never leave the baby (or, when he or she is older, the toddler) alone with any animal, since accidents can happen.
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