How to Prepare Your Dog for Your New Baby

The arrival of a new baby is a monumental moment filled with joy, anticipation, and significant changes for the entire family. This transition, however, can be especially challenging for your pets – after all, they’re likely not used to a tiny, crying creature!

Pets, like humans, can experience emotions such as confusion, jealousy, or stress as they adjust to the new family member. It’s important to prepare the whole family well in advance for a smooth introduction and a conflict-free home environment. Here’s how to set the stage for a positive relationship and growing bond between your new baby and your pet.

Do Dogs Know You’re Pregnant?

Interestingly, many pet parents report subtle changes in their dog’s behavior during pregnancy. Dogs might sense a change due to their ability to pick up on different physical cues and alterations in your scent caused by hormonal changes. Observations such as increased clinginess or protectiveness are signs your dog knows you’re pregnant. While scientific evidence is mixed, it’s clear that many dogs react to these changes in their environment, indicating they may have a sense of what’s coming. Understanding this can help you utilize their innate abilities to create a safer and more comfortable environment for both your growing baby and your pet.

Preparation is Key

Creating a welcoming environment for both your new baby and your pet is crucial. Start by updating your home with items that are safe and stimulating for both. Sourcing baby clothes, toys, and furniture from a trusted, organic brand like Finn + Emma not only brings style and safety to your nursery but also ensures comfort. This allows your pet to become accustomed to new items and sounds safely. Begin to gradually introduce your pet to baby-related items and areas so they can explore and understand that these new items are part of their environment but not their possessions. Additionally, you can try playing baby crying sounds from online videos to desensitize your dog. This strategy can ease the transition and help your pet become more comfortable and adapt to the sounds of a newborn, making them less likely to be noise-sensitive when the baby arrives.

Natural Relief for Pet Stress

Pets can sense changes and might feel nervous or stressed about the new family dynamics. The arrival of a new baby is among the top reasons why people consider rehoming their pets. Welcoming a new family member is also a primary reason many seek out solutions like CBD products. To help them adjust more comfortably, consider incorporating CBD calming products into their daily routine ahead of the baby’s arrival. Pet Releaf CBD is specifically designed to help pets maintain calmness and wellness naturally, even in times of significant change like welcoming a new baby into the home.

Engagement and Interaction

It’s essential to manage the initial interactions between your pet and the new baby carefully. Begin with short, controlled meetings to gauge how your pet reacts to the new baby and gradually increase their interaction time as they become more comfortable. Ensure both baby and pet are safe and have their own separate spaces where they can feel secure. Introduce your pet to the baby’s items under supervision to prevent territorial behavior, while providing a safe and separate place for your pet to retreat when overwhelmed, such as when the baby is crying.

Consistent Routines

Maintaining a consistent routine is vital during this transition. Both humans and pets are creatures of habit. Pets thrive on predictability, and keeping their feeding, walking, and playtime schedules as regular as possible can provide them with a sense of stability amidst the new adjustments. Though welcoming a newborn may seem chaotic, it is crucial for pet parents to remain patient and persistent, as pets may take time to adapt to the altered daily rhythms that come with a new baby.

Environmental Enrichment

Enrichment is crucial for both baby and pet during this time. For babies, playmats, swings, and interactive toys not only provide sensory stimulation but also help in developing motor skills. Similarly, enhancing your pet’s environment with stimulating toys and activities can keep them mentally healthy and engaged, especially during times when they might not be receiving as much attention as usual.

Making Healthy Decisions

Now that you have both human and fur babies to consider, it’s important to foster a healthy environment for all. Minimize the exposure to toxic chemicals and unnecessary ingredients by choosing organic items whenever possible. Opt for newborn apparel and bibs that are made from 100% organic cotton and use eco-friendly dyes. Similarly, choose pet supplements and chews that are organic and made with limited ingredients to enhance your pet’s diet, providing them with essential nutrients during potentially stressful times.

At Pet Releaf, we are dedicated to facilitating a gentle and successful integration of your new baby and your pets. Emphasizing quality, sustainability, and the overall well-being of every family member, we’re here to make this exciting new chapter as seamless as possible.