When Pet Meets Baby - Tips for Easing the Transition

Many us are very attached to our pets. Our pets in return become very attached to us. As seen in Lady and the Tramp, a new baby added to the family can cause total disruption for the life of an animal.

Bringing home a new baby can take some adjusting for us all. However, do not forget that Fido will also have some adjusting to do. After all until now, he has been your baby.

Before introducing your newborn baby to your pet, consider the temperament of the animal. Has your pet been around small children? How did it react? Some animals do not do well with children who tend to tug, pull, and be noisy. Even if you feel that your pet will willingly accept the baby, be cautious.

Also consider your home and living arrangements. It will not be long until your baby will be up and moving. Small pieces of dog or cat food are very tempting for a crawling baby's hands and mouth. They can also be a great choking hazard. Make sure that you can place your pet's food and water dish out of your child's reach. Some people prefer to feed the animal in a carport or garage. You can also use a safety gate to keep the child and pet separated during feeding time. If you have a cat, remember to keep the litter box well out of your baby's reach.

Some gates will allow for openings that your cat can get through but your child cannot. Cats can also climb into their location.

Also be very cautious if you have a pet door that your pet enters through. A young child may be curious enough to try climbing through the door himself. This could lead to many dangers.

The most important thing is safety for both your child and your pet. Begin teaching your baby at a young age to be nice and gentle with your animal. Unnecessary roughness can lead to biting and injury to both your baby and your pet.

Some kennels offer obedience classes to help your dog learn to get along with others. The right training could help tremendously.

If you feel that your pet may present a danger to your child at any time, you may want to consider a different living arrangement. The pet may need to be moved outdoors or to family that does not intend on having children.