BABY BLANKETS COULD BE THE KEY TO PREPARING TABBY OR YOUR POOCH FOR BABY’S ARRIVAL

Surprising your cat or dog with a new addition to the family might set the stage for a rocky relationship between Fluffy or Fido and the new baby. And the difference maker between your cat or dog welcoming and resenting their new ’sibling’ might be, of all things, baby blankets.

IT CAN BE A DOG’S LIFE FOR YOUR PET WHEN BABY ARRIVES

If a new baby is brought in to share ‘his’ territory without any prior notice, your dog will be worried that you will no longer protect and care for him. Parents can make this jealousy less likely by buying baby blankets several weeks prior to babies’ estimated time of arrival.

Pet experts recommend parents buy baby dolls roughly the size of a newborn and wrap one in the baby blankets your child will be using. By wrapping a doll in baby blankets sprinkled with baby powder and pretending to treat it as you will your baby – talk to it, cuddle it, fawn over it – the dog can acclimate to the new smells and behaviors similar to what it will soon be exposed to.

Your dog should be trained not to jump on you and you should praise the pet liberally and give her treats for good behavior during your doll activities. Your pet should be encouraged to smell and investigate the baby blankets and toy doll. Expose your dog to the smell of baby blankets and powder regularly for several weeks. You can also get a recording of a crying baby and play it, softly at first, then increasing the volume gradually so when your baby makes this loud noise it will be less likely to startle, confuse, or upset the pet.

Support any interest your dog shows in the powdered baby blankets. Even licking is OK; baby blankets can be washed, of course, and human mouths and saliva carry more bacteria than dogs’!

EVEN COOL CATS HAVE FEELINGS!

The prescription for peaceful coexistence between your cat and your new baby involves many of the same props used to prepare a dog: baby blankets, powders, and baby dolls. But the process of acclimating a cat varies slightly.

To get things off on the right foot, or paw, be certain your cat is healthy prior to baby’s arrival. A sick cat, like people, is often grouchy (how would you feel if you had worms?!) Prepare baby blankets by sprinkling them with powder and let your cat investigate the foreign odors. Put baby blankets in the crib and allow kitty to hop in and out and to poke around.

As with a dog, give your cat lots of praise, attention, and special snacks to associate with the new sensations. If kitty has or has had exposure to a real child and baby blanket’s smells, you’re two steps ahead of the game. If not, you would do well to ask a neighbor or relative to bring their baby to your home for the cat to check out.

Once your baby comes home it is important you try your best to maintain as close as possible the same relationship with your cat as before. Much will be different of course, but the effects of the influx of noise, pungent baby blankets, no to mention baby herself, can be easier for your cat to adjust to if she continues to receive love and attention from you.

When you are around to supervise, don’t worry if your cat wants to hop into the crib and roll around in the baby blankets with your baby present. Talk to your cat in a pleasant and calm manner when handling the baby. If your cat senses anxiety from you while around the baby she may feel it her responsibility to protect you from it.

With just a little patience, love, and planning, introducing your baby to your cat or dog should be just the beginning of a beautiful friendship!