Staying safe with pets and babies
For your pet, having a new baby in the home will mean lots of changes. Although children and pets often grow up to be life-long friends, the initial days and weeks can be stressful. Your pet will need lots of time to prepare for your baby’s arrival.
Gradual changes are best so start several months ahead and begin by making sure your pet has a clean bill of health from your veterinarian. Ask the veterinary team for additional advice on healthy interactions between your pet and your baby.
The information below will help you to make it a smooth and safe transition for everyone.
Open Prepare your pet to learn how using a doll can help you to prepare your pet for a new baby,
- Make sure a pet cannot get close to a child who is eating.
- Pets may show interest when young children are eating because children often drop food.
- That can be dangerous for the child, as the pet might try to snatch food and accidentally scratch or bite.
- It also gives the pet access to inappropriate foods and can lead to the pet overeating, causing obesity.
- Giving pets a treat or toy in another area can provide a safer alternative, while ensuring the pet doesn’t feel isolated or punished.
- When my child and pet are together, an adult is always there.
- I talk about and show my child how to be gentle, quiet, and calm.
- I teach my child that there are times when we need to leave pets alone, like when they are sleeping.
- Other times to leave pets alone are when:
- the pet is eating or chewing on a toy,
- the pet is in heat or with their young,
- the pet is stressed, sick or hurt,
- the pet is in a fenced yard, car, crate or tethered,
- there is no adult around.
- These are some of the ways to promote safe and enjoyable interactions between my child and pet.
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