Pets have a way of knowing something is up. Our dogs are not a fan of packing. As soon as the duffles come out, they start to get anxious. On the plus side, if we get them out long enough and leave them packed long enough, they calm down a little bit noticing that there is not immediate threat. Here are some ways to make sure they pets are ready for baby and help with some transitions once they are here.

**This is more of a dog focus as that is what I know, but a lot of the principals can be transferred.**

Prepare Pets Physically:

1. Get the pet groomed or give them a good bath to make sure they are starting their best
   • It helps with nesting
   • It helps with germs for when baby comes
   • You wont have as much time to do it when baby is here
   • If your nose was as sensitive as mine, it was nice to have a “better smelling pet”

Prepare the home:

1. Clean their bedding/cage
   • It helps with nesting
   • It helps with germs for when baby comes
   • You wont have as much time to do it when baby is here
2. Make sure you have enough food.
   • You wont want the sitter to run out
   • You wont want to go shopping right after baby comes
3. Find a Sitter/Pet care
   • Make arrangements to have someone come to your home or drop your pet off with while you are gone
   • If in the home
     • Note food location and times/frequency/amount of feeding
     • Note water dish location
     • Give vet information and permission to treat/make decisions.
   • If taking somewhere
     • Pack a go bag just like you did a hospital bag
       • Food (dish)
       • Water (dish)
       • Note Feeding time/frequency/amount
       • Give vet information and permission to treat/make decisions.

Once baby arrives:

This may be particular to dogs and/or cats

• If possible have someone bring a blanket or something similar smelling like the new baby home to the pet before you even come home.
• When you arrive home, leave baby in the carrier (where safe) and allow pets to smell–staying very close to push back if pet can get too rough/close.
• Pet the pet while talking to baby in soothing tone-try to make the whole situation soothing and avoid yelling–we want the pet to associate the baby with good feelings.
• For a while once baby is home, keep a close supervision when they are together and continue to associate the baby with good feelings for the pets, too.
  • If feeding baby, maybe pet the pet with the other hand or be talking to pet
  • If baby is crying a lot and causing stress soothe the pet with kind words while trying to soothe baby physically.
  • Give pet some one on one time (going for a walk, cuddling, etc) when the baby is sleeping or with the other parent.