Bringing Home Baby

Important Facts About Pregnancy, New Babies and Animal Companions

Children reap many wonderful benefits from sharing their early years with companion animals: they have a friend, confidant, protector, and playmate. They learn to nurture and care for others. And they develop a deep respect for the many different types of life on our earth.

So if the stork is going to visit your home soon, don’t evict your animal companions- just read on!  

Whose house is it?

Small mammals (hamsters, gerbils, etc.), birds, reptiles, fish, and small exotic pets usually don’t mind a new baby in the house. But dogs and cats are very social animals. For them, a baby is a major event.

Dogs and cats thrive on routine. Even a small change- as slight as moving furniture- can trigger behavior problems. You know how much a new baby will change your life. Now imagine how confusing it all is for cat or dog, who can’t understand what’s happening.

Before the baby comes you’ll have lots of planning to do. These “pre-baby” preparations for your pets can help you organize your household, too:  

-Make a trip to the veterinarian . Be sure your animal companions are all in good health. Get them up-to-date on vaccinations, especially rabies, and tested for parasites. Fleas and ticks can be especially troublesome during summer or in warmer parts of the country. Avoid using flea and tick sprays, foggers, and collars during pregnancy and in homes with infants and young children.

-Neuter and spay . Since you are headed to the veterinarian’s office anyway, take the opportunity to have your animal companions neutered or spayed. They will be healthier, and their behavior will be more predictable.

-Obedience training . It’s never too late to “teach an old dog new tricks”. Your dog should respond consistently to a basic vocabulary: sit, down, off, heel, stay, and no. It’s good to add “don’t touch” and “drop it” or “give”. Find a trainer or training method that uses positive reinforcement- never physical punishment. And we don’t recommend using treats, since one of the things you want to teach your dog is not to eat the baby’s food! Learning to lovingly enforce logical, fair limits is a great practice for later use with your growing child.

-Set up the nursery as soon as possible. This is the one room that will undergo the most dramatic changes. It’s best to introduce the changes gradually, letting the dog or cat explore during the process. If you are determined to keep the animals out of the nursery, start doing it early in the game- at least three months before the baby is due. And be consistent about it! We recommend installing a screen door and nursery intercom so that the nursery will be off limits at all times- before and after the baby arrives- but you will still be able to see and hear what’s going on.

-Anticipate changes in routine. This takes some imagination. For example, someone will be heading to the baby’s room first thing in the morning (and several times during the night). Tabby or Bowser is used to you getting up and paying attention to him. A few months before the baby is due, establish the new pattern by walking into the nursery first whenever you get up.

-Introduce new scents early . Decide which lotions, soaps powders, diapers, etc. you’re going to use. Stock up on them several weeks ahead of the baby’s due date, so the animals have time to smell them. Try having members of the family use some of the soaps and lotions. You’ll all pick up these scents from handling the baby, so the animals will be used to these new scents on you, too.)

-Invite friends with babies to visit. Get your pets used to the idea of having babies around. Encourage friends to perform all of the usual parenting functions, including feeding, changing, and play.

-Play dolls. Practice your “baby routines” with a doll to give companion animals- and you! - A chance to adjust to your new pattern of behavior.

The Golden Rule: Never leave an infant or toddler unattended with animal companions!

After the baby arrives

is an exciting and confusing time. Even if you have carefully prepared your pets for the new arrival, many problems can pop up after the big event. A few simple steps can usually prevent trouble:

-Bring in an unwashed piece of baby clothing first. Before your pet meets the baby, they’ll have had a chance to become familiar with his or her scent- the most important way dogs and cats identify each other.

-Greet your pets. Especially after a hospital birth, the new mother’s first contact with the animal companion is important. A normal greeting tells pets everything is okay.

-Lessen your stress. Dogs and cats look to humans for behavior cues. If you become worried, stressed, or anxious, your companion animal’s behavior will change, too. It’s simple cause-and-effect! The best way to “lighten up”- for both human and non-human animals, is play and exercise.

-The first introduction. Let your dog or cat sniff and investigate the new arrival. Of course, you should do this in a controlled situation (dogs should be leashed) with no distractions or visitors. The odds are your animal companion will be much more fearful of the baby than the child will be of the animal. A nervous animal startles easily (and a startled animal is more likely to bite or scratch out of fear), so be sure everyone moves slowly, talks softly, and touches gently- even to remove the animal from the room. Speak in a normal, happy voice- if you sound cautious or nervous, your pet will be nervous, too.

-Don’t forget your pet! If you are like 97% of pet owners, you regularly talk to your dog or cat. Maybe it’s just saying “Hi!”, or “Good girl!” when you walk in the room. Do you have a habit of patting your dog after a walk? Or tickling your cat behind the ears when he rubs against your ankles? Take a close look at your pattern of communication with your dog or cat, and make sure those “little nothings” don’t disappear when the baby comes.

-Feeding time. In the early months, when your new baby is being breast or bottle fed, there’s no problem. But once baby starts using the high chair, it’s time to set some rules.

Rule #1

The high chair is for baby only. Even if your cat goes everywhere else, don’t let the high chair become another piece of furniture. Fold it up, put it in the closet or pantry, or make it otherwise inaccessible when not in use. And no sharing during meals!

Rule #2

No scavenging or begging.

It’s not a good idea to have your dog or cat hanging around the high chair at feeding time. While many households have “floor rules” for pets (any food that hits the floor belongs to the animals), you don’t want to teach your dog or vat to expect a handout every time the baby eats.

Rule #3

What’s yours is yours- what’s mine is mine.

Once the little tyke starts toddling, put the cat’s and dog’s dishes out of reach. Teach your child no to touch a cat or dog when the animals are eating. Discourage toddlers from carrying food items around the house- it leads to squabbles with the companion animals. And besides, it makes a mess!

Animal companions, Babies, and Pregnancy- Myths and facts

“I just found out I’m pregnant and my doctor says cats carry a disease that causes birth defects. I’ll have to give up my cat.”

The doctor is probably referring to a parasite called Toxoplasmosis Gondii (or “toxo” for short), but the chances are slim that you’ll ever catch it from your cat. In fact, 70% of adults have already been exposed to toxo, and nearly all of those are now immune.

A simple blood test (or “titre”) will tell you if you are immune. If you are, there is very little to worry about. Pregnant women who have never been exposed to toxo and are infected during their first of second trimester are at the highest risk of delivering babies with birth defects.

Most toxo infections are a result of eating or handling undercooked or raw meat. Nearly all cases come from gardening or other unprotected contact with soil. There are very few verified cases of toxo resulting from direct contact with a cat.  

Toxoplasmosis

An ounce of prevention

As soon as you know you are pregnant, take the following precautions to protect against toxoplasmosis.

-If you eat meet or poultry, cook it thoroughly. Wear gloves when handling raw meat or poultry and avoid touching your nose and mouth. Better yet, have someone else do the preparation!

-Never garden or handle potted plants or potting soil without gloves. Since toxoplasmosis spores are sometimes inhaled, you may want to wear a surgical mask, too.

-It’s best to have someone else change the cat’s litter box. Cats are the primary vector of toxoplasmosis. The spores that are passed in their stool are crucial to the microorganism’s life-cycle.

-Get a “toxo-titre” done on both you and your cat. If you come up positive (like most adults do), it means that you are immune and that there’s very little risk.

“My neighbor told me that my dog might attack my baby because of hunting or protective instincts.”

Actually, a dog’s instincts seem to help him understand that a baby is helpless and non-threatening. Most dog guardians report that their dogs put up with a lot more from a very young child than from an older child or adult.

Unless your dog has a history of biting people and other animals, or is trained to attack or fight, aggression is usually not a problem. But remember- a dog is still a dog. Even if you’ve prepared carefully, the new baby will still disrupt your dog’s routine. Early meetings should be carefully monitored, but don’t let anxiety get in the way! Your dog may interpret your nervousness to mean the baby is a threat!

A well-trained, properly cared-for dog will quickly become a fast friend- and often a guardian- of a new baby. We’ve heard dozens of stories about dogs of all ages, genders and breeds sleeping next to the baby’s crib. Some new parents even tell us the dog will start barking if they don’t get out of bed fast enough when the baby cries!

“I’ve heard that cats carry leukemia and aids.”

Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) is not related to human leukemia and does not infect people. So-called “feline AIDS” is caused by the feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV). FIV infected cats slowly lose their natural ability to fight off disease, much like people with Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS). FIV does not infect people and does not cause human AIDS.

“I really love my animal companions, but I want to keep my house sanitary for my new baby. Don’t animals carry diseases?”

Zoonotic diseases are those passed from animals to people. Dogs and cats can be carriers of several diseases, but very few of them are zoonotic. It’s far more likely that your baby will catch a cold or other infection from you or a family member than from the dog or cat.

Have your dog or cat checked and treated regularly for parasites. Be aware of any unusual discharges, coughing, or sneezing. If you follow your regular clean-up procedures there shouldn’t be much to worry about. Be sure to keep baby away from the litter box and outdoor areas where dogs regularly defecate. An outdoor sandbox should be kept securely covered when not being used- otherwise stray cats will use it as a litter box!

One of the best known and most dangerous zoonotic diseases is rabies. Make sure your animal companions are up-to-date on shots, and keep your dog or cat from roaming and fighting. If your animal is bitten by another animal- wild or domestic-contact your veterinarian immediately.

If your child is bitten or scratched by a wild or domestic animal, get immediate medical attention. While rabies is relatively rare, there are occasional outbreaks. Today, treatment after a bite is a series of only three injections into muscle tissue- a far cry from the old method of two weeks of injections into the abdomen!

Important note:

Exotic birds and animals may carry unusual or uncommon zoonotic diseases. Check with your veterinarian for details.  

“I’ve always heard that cats can suffocate babies.”

Cats are natural “cuddlers” when they sleep, and many prefer to curl up on tip of people or snuggle up next to a persons head or neck. If you want to keep your cat out of the crib, either install a screen door on the nursery, or use crib netting. Cats also display the interesting behavior of “sniffing breath”- putting their noses up to the nose and mouth of another cat (or human), possibly to investigate what the other has recently eaten. This probably gave birth to the myth of cats “sucking the breath” from babies.

Recent reports suggest that many of the cases where cats supposedly suffocated babies were most likely SIDS- sudden infant death syndrome, or crib death.

Important note:

A severe allergic reaction can cause an infant to stop breathing. If your baby shows signs of allergy to a companion animal, your child is probably allergic to many items, including some foods. Your child will probably be much happier and safer- and probably grow up healthier- if you identify these allergies earlier. Allergic children should not sleep with companion animals.

“A lot of people have told me their animals got jealous and behaved badly when their first child was born.”

Jealousy is a human emotion. Companion animals interpret changes in their usual routines as threats. As a result, they may show anxious behavior, become sullen or withdrawn, or be more edgy or aggressive.

Making a smooth, gradual transition to the new baby can prevent most major problems. Avoid anthropomorphism- giving your animal companions human thoughts, motives, or emotions. Your animal is not "jealous” or “getting even”- he is trying to tell you something!

Important note:

Punishing a dog or cat for a change in behavior after the baby arrives will only make things worse. Look for a way to reassure him instead. Physical punishment is never appropriate; it only encourages aggression, and will set a poor example of human-animal interaction for your child. 

Synchronized Attention

is the key to a happy home. It simply means that when baby gets your attention, so does Fido or Fluffy. Our sources even recommend walking the dog at the same time baby goes out in the stroller, or saddling the little one up in the Snugly when it’s time for Bowser’s morning romp.

Likewise, when baby is asleep, divert your attention to the million other things that need to get done, rather than setting out a lot of “quality time” with a pet. Dogs especially will take this to mean that they only get your attention when the baby isn’t around. Not only will you find a dog or cat underfoot every time you put the baby down for a nap, you may be setting up competition for your time. Synchronized attention teaches both baby and pet how to share the limelight happily.

Signs of Trouble

It’s a common- and tragic tale: a new baby arrives in a household with companion animals. The dog or cat handles the change beautifully. Then, suddenly, Fido begins chewing furniture, soiling the house, and growling at the baby. Or Tabby nips at the heels of visitors and swats anyone who reaches in her direction. The owners sadly decide that the animal “doesn’t get along with the children” and the poor critter ends up in the local animal shelter.

Changes in behavior don’t happen “suddenly”. As soon as your dog or cat shows any change from his normal routine, you’ve got the makings of a major problem on your hands. Here are the early signs of trouble:

Dogs

-Excessive barking

-Tail chasing

-Housesoiling

-Sulking

-Self-mutilation

-Loss of appetite

-Diarrhea

Cats

-Sudden shyness/ hiding

-Crabby or aloof behavior

-Missing the litter box

-Sulking

-Excessive grooming

-Loss of appetite

-Diarrhea

Other warning signs include:

-becoming more unruly

-becoming more aggressive towards people or other animals

-becoming less interested in play

That toddlin’ time

It seems to happen overnight. Suddenly, your little wonder is up on both feet and careening across the living room rug.

Once baby starts walking, his relationship with the animal companions will never be the same again. Up until now, your child was more or less eye level with the dog or cat. Now he’s become twice as tall, moves more abruptly, and tips over easily.

A child’s strength will increase dramatically in the months following those first steps. As balance and coordination increase, toddlers discover their hands and arms are free to do all sorts of exciting things- including hitting.

With a dog in the home, this is a time of dominance shift; the once helpless, passive baby becomes a tall, mobile mass of flailing limbs. The child’s role has gone from subordinate to equal or dominant.

Dogs will eventually adjust to this shift in the structure of the family “pack”, but it takes some time. At this stage, regular obedience work, exercise, and reassurance are especially important.

Remember…

-Plan ahead

Begin making the changes in your home, schedule, and behavior as early as possible. This gives your animal companions time to adjust slowly. Set up the nursery a few months before the big event.

-Be consistent

Set the rules and stick to them, but be sure they make sense. If the dog or cat won’t be permitted in the nursery after the baby is born, start excluding him well before the baby arrives.

-Be fair

Your animal companions were there first. Don’t neglect them, punish them for being curious, or blame them for changes in behavior after the baby comes home. Any change in routine will affect a cat’s or dog’s behavior.

-Lighten up

The more anxious and stressed you are, the more anxious and stressed the animals will be. If you are fearful when Fido or Tabby meets baby for the first time, he may associate your fear with the baby.

-Be your animal companion’s best friend

Don’t forget the “little things” like tossing a toy to fetch, a scratch behind the ear, a stroke on the head, and a quiet”good girl!” And don’t forget the big things either- a thorough check-up at the veterinarian, reviewing or learning basic obedience training, and neutering or spaying.

Congratulations!

A new life is something to celebrate. By following the simple steps you’ve just read, your new baby and your animal companions can become the best of friends- and everybody benefits!

Remember, this is our best advice, but it’s not the last word. Be sure to talk to your health professional, veterinarian, or local human society to get more detailed information.

 

Copyright 1992 Tree House Animal Foundation. All Rights Reserved.