What to Expect the First Year by Heidi Murkoff Read Free Book Online Page B

free-for-all for Spot or Mittens). Living with consistent expectations will help your pet feel more secure and act more predictably, especially around your predictably unpredictable baby. Even a pet who’s always been more frisky than ferocious, who’s never threatened or felt threatened by a human, may become uncharacteristically aggressive and dangerously territorial when your home is invaded by a human newborn. Consider enrolling your pet in an obedience training program (yes, cats can be trained, too)—and remember, for your pet to be trained, you have to be, too. Attend classes with your pet, take homework seriously (practice, practice, practice what’s learned in class), and continue to be consistent about rules and rewards (key to the success of pet training) even after graduation.
    â€¢ Schedule a checkup. Visit the veterinarian for an exam, and make sure that all shots are up-to-date. Discuss any concerning behavior issues (like marking) and possible solutions with the veterinarian, too, and evaluate flea and heartworm prevention for safety around your expected human bundle. Just before baby is due to arrive, have your pet’s nails trimmed. Consider spaying or neutering, which can make pets calmer and less aggressive.
    â€¢ Bring in the babes. Try to get your dog or cat acclimated to babies by arranging carefully supervised encounters (with a baby at the park, with your friend’s newborn). Invite friends with babies over to your house so your pet can become familiar with human baby smells and their moves. Do some baby holding around your pet, too.
    â€¢ Play pretend. Using a baby-size doll as a prop will help get your pet used to having a baby around the house (pretend rock, feed, change, play with the doll, strap it into the car seat and stroller). Play audio of a newborn crying, cooing, and making other baby sounds, too—and (if you’ve already stocked the house with baby paraphernalia) turn on the infant swing, to accustom your pet to the sound and action (with that doll strapped in). And as you close in on the delivery day, start getting your pet used to scents of baby products you’ll be using on baby’s skin by applying it to yours (baby wipes, baby wash), and allow sniffing of clean diapers. During these desensitizing sessions, reward your pet with treats and cuddles.
    â€¢ Don’t give your pet any ideas. While it might seem smart to let your pet snuggle in your expected baby’s bassinet or car seat or play with those piles of new stuffed animals, it isn’t. That approach can lead your fur baby to believe that those items are his or hers—and set up territorial disputes (potentially risky ones).
    â€¢ Taper off on time with your pet. It sounds a little mean, but getting your dog or cat used to less mommy and daddy attention now may prevent sibling rivalry later. If mama is your pet’s favorite, start weaning onto more time with daddy.
    â€¢ Do some belly bonding. Many dogs and cats seem to have an uncanny baby sixth sense, so if yours is clamoring to cuddle up with your bare bump, let the bonding between baby and pet begin. By the way, even a large dog can’t harm your well-protected baby by nestling against your belly.
    â€¢ Get on board with room and board changes. If sleeping arrangements will change (and they probably should if you’ve been co-sleeping with your pet), change them well before delivery. If your baby will have a separate room, train your pet to stay out of it while you’re not there. A gate to block the doorway will help discourage unsolicited visits. Also, train your pet not to go near the baby’s crib, no matter what room the crib is in. Another must-do: Move your pet’s feeding station somewhere a curious crawler can’t get to, since even a mellow mutt or kitty can attack when food is threatened. Two more reasons why babies and pet food don’t mix: Kibble and treats are a choking hazard