What to Expect from Your Pet When You're Expecting
None of us like change very much, and pets are no different. So if you have a four-legged baby and are expecting a two-legged one now is the time to prepare! That's the great thing about being pregnant, you have nine whole months to get everything ready for the new arrival- and that should include your pet.
Steps you Should Take to Prepare Your Pet for Baby's Arrival
- Get the nursery done as soon as possible, and let your pet sniff around as you do so.
- Figure out how your schedule will change and try to accustom your pet to it before baby arrives.
- Figure out what kind of behavior will not be allowed when baby comes, like jumping on beds, and train you pet now to avoid those behaviors.
- Get a tape of a friend's baby crying (or download crying off the internet). Play the tape, starting at a low volume, while giving your pet affection or treats or such, and gradually increase the volume over a few weeks to accustom your pet to the sounds that will fill your home.
- Get a doll that looks as much as possible like a real baby, sprinkle it with baby powder, and carry it around just as you would your baby. Coo to it, rock it, and all the other things you would do to a baby, and let your pet greet the "new baby" (Your friends and family may think you're insane if you follow this suggestion, but it is a good idea nonetheless).
- If you will be walking your pet with the baby in a stroller, take a trial run doing so before the baby arrives.
- When the time comes to go to the hospital try to arrange for someone to stay at your home with the pet if dad will be staying with mom and the new baby, so your pet's life remains as normal as possible.
- Have someone bring home a blanket with the baby's scent on it before baby actually comes home and let the pet smell it so it can get used to the scent.
Basically, try to think of what will change in your pet's life, especially for the negative, and adjust it before baby arrives so that your pet does not associate the change with Junior's arrival. If you prepare your pet and make sure that it still gets love and attention then soon you will all be one big, happy family.
