If you are bringing home a new baby soon and have a pet, read our tips for introducing your pet and new baby for an easier and happier transition for all!
Candie has been our family pet since 2005. I received her as a birthday present shortly after my husband and I were married. Fast forward to 2017. Candie is still with us today!
Candie is a calico cat. Calico cats are known to be a bit temperamental. My kids love their cat, but Candie still gets irritated easily when my very energetic kids are around. My youngest son is almost one and he adores Candie. He pays more attention to her than my girls did when they were babies. You can find him giggling at her and reaching for her any time he sees her. He’s fascinated with Candie. She’s kind of into him, too.
Introducing Your Pet and New Baby
Bringing home a new baby can be quite the adjustment for any pet. Candie used to rule the house alone when we first got her. Then we added one child, then another, and then a third child. With every new baby came new adjustments for Candie. She needed to get used to the new noises, smells, baby gear, etc. (Candie LOVES to try to crawl into and sleep in just about everything that’s made for a baby including bassinets, baby swings, bouncer seats, car seats, etc. In fact, she thinks they belong to her and gets a little upset when we remove her from these areas.)
Baby boy is almost walking now and that means even more adjustments for Candie. When she’s trying to sleep peacefully on the couch, baby boy loves to try to pull on her and pat at her because he’s now pulling up and trying to walk on his own. This is something new for both baby and Candie and these actions can overwhelm Candie.
We also moved to a new location recently and we travel more as a family. This means that Candie must adjust to traveling with us in a tiny crate with minimal space to move around.
If you have a new baby coming home soon and you think your pet will need help adjusting to the new changes, consider these great tips below:
- Create a space for your pet to retreat to when you arrive home with your new baby. Include items like blankets or towels that have a familiar smell. Include toys/scratching posts.
- Try and involve your pet with the new baby routines. For example, offer your pet a treat before feeding or changing the baby. This associates the baby with a positive experience.
Bringing home baby for the first time can be a pleasant experience for pets if you take some time to plan ahead. This will help to ensure that your pet’s needs are being met as well as baby’s needs!