How to introduce a newborn to the family pets?

I am 36 weeks pregnant and i want to know how to intro. the family pets to our son once he comes home. all i know is to give the animals the scent of the baby before we bring him home. is there anything i can do in the next month to make the transition easier for us all?



Westhighland terrier 9 months

staffy x bulldog 6 months

Cat 2 yearsHow to introduce a newborn to the family pets?I would assume you've heard all the "Cat's urine and stool is toxic to baby, Staffy's are dangerous" etc and skip all that. If you are having let downs at all, you can let the animals smell your breast milk soaked items, don't express just if your bra gets soiled etc. this smell is similar to a baby smell. Leave an area for a couple of weeks where ur pets cannot access the baby when it comes, this will help them understand that it's not the baby's fault but something else entirely. After the baby comes begin by letting them smell items such as wet nappies, clothes before u wash them etc, and give them soft gentle encouragement so they can understand this smell. After a week or so, have someone hold your animal, so they cannot attack, but beware, do not be afraid or scared as the animal will percieve the bay as a possible threat then, hold the baby and let them get close enough to sniff at feet for a couple of seconds then take away. Slowly increase this time frame. If the dog appears to feel uneasy or ready to attack tell them NO strictly and take them away from the baby immediately and try again tomorrow. Beware, with some dogs nothing will work and you may have to consider rehoming, however keep trying and be diligent. Just please be wary of cats, as they tend to attack very quickly with little warning.How to introduce a newborn to the family pets?Get them use to places they can't go. For example when the baby comes home if you put him in a room that the pets are usaully allowed to go, don't let the pets in for the next month. The only other thing I can think of is if their routine gets messed up like their walking/feeding schedule...mess it up now so they know something is about to change in the household. The only other suggestion I have is when you have your son make sure to bring a baby blanket home before you arrive him with his scent on it so they can get used to it.How to introduce a newborn to the family pets?cage matchHow to introduce a newborn to the family pets?
i agree with the person above me. also i think the great benefit you have is that your dogs are still puppies. trust me it makes all the difference in the world when you raise babies alongside puppies.



all the tips from the person above me are pretty good. but i have to say when i had my second child i didn't follow most of that. one dog had been raised alongside my daughter and our other dog is old and had little interest. but we did have one dog that was new and the only child she had been around before our home was a 7 year old. she became very protective around the baby (kept the other dogs away and the cat) at first i thought it was a little funny but her behavior got worse and one day she jumped on the bed and peed right next to my newborn. (this among other aggressive issues got her rehomed immediately) so i do have to say not to allow this behavior from your dogs from the very start. -but again our dog wasn't rasied by us and had a number of issues so i hardly doubt yours will react the same.



i think most dogs, especially puppies are just curious. it's an older dog that will have more possibility of being jealous. so i think it may go well for you.



as for the cat, you know your cat best. is it a skittish cat? if so then i wouldn't push the issue of an introduction with this cat. if not then allow the cat to smell the baby's feet or whatever when you are feeding. -most cats will sneak up to see whats going on. we had the benefit of also raising a kitten alongside my daughter as a baby. but of course he got curious with my son. they do sell tents to put over a crib, they are for a number of things but they are also to keep cats out of the crib. you may want to look into buying one. i have only found them for $79. just google crib tents.



it is better safe than sorry as far as the pets with the baby go. so do not ever leave the baby alone with any of the pets for any ammount of time.



for more info on this particular topic lookup Cesar Milan, he has great tips for introductions and behaviors that are normal and behaviors you shouldn't allow.