Introducing LO to fur babies?

[holliberry28]

This may have been covered before, but I was wondering if anyone had advice about introducing the baby to your pets, for me specifically, two cats.  I feel bad because we are moving in a few weeks, so they'll have to get used to the new apartment, and then to a new baby.  I didn't find specific topics related to this on here, but if there is, forgive me

[Deleted]

Have your DH/SO bring home a blanket or onesie that baby was using from the hospital before you come home so that the pets can get used to the smell before baby comes home. Beyond that I remember putting DS down on the floor in his carrier when we got home and just allowing our two small dogs to look at him sniff him, correcting them if they got too excited, out of line, etc. From there it is going to be specific to each pet. I've found that most animals seem to do ok with the transition though.

[noeliav]

DH, DD and I all came home together. DD and I stayed in the car while DH took a blanket inside to the pup. Then, I went inside while DH and DD stayed in the car (my pup gets very excited when any of us return home). Then, we all went in together, with DH carrying DD in the car seat.

We put DD (in the car seat) on the ottoman (Weimaraner = tall[er] dog) so she was more or less at eye level (and easy sniffing level) with the pup.

And, like @jimbobcooter said, from there it's just a see-as-you-go for each individual dog

[Deleted]

I'm wondering the same since we have two cats and my parents (who will be providing childcare) have two small dogs. The dogs are actually great with babies, but I have no idea how my cats will react.

[holliberry28]

Feb 18, 2015 12:22:29 GMT -5 @littlebee said:

I'm wondering the same since we have two cats and my parents (who will be providing childcare) have two small dogs. The dogs are actually great with babies, but I have no idea how my cats will react.

This is me.  I know most dogs will adjust, but I can just picture one of my cats saying in a french accent, "What is this? Who is this? How could you do this to me?"

[mrskblack11]

I am excited to see how my boys react to the baby. I will have someone bring home a blanket prior to our arrive. Dogs love to smell new scents and I do not want to overwhelm the baby.

I think my oldest pit will be super excited and interested in the baby. I think my other pit will be curious to sniff him at first then not care (he is super mellow). I have no idea how my chihuahua will react. I think he will be the one to get jealous of the baby since he is accustomed to sitting on my lap all day.

[Deleted]

holliberry28 I have a female cat that's been with me for 8 years, and a male cat that I got 3 years ago. When I brought the boy home (he was a tiny kitten) my female cat was PISSED at me for a long time. Like she refused to cuddle with me for a good month or so. I hope the same doesn't happen with a real baby!

[holliberry28]

Feb 18, 2015 12:38:00 GMT -5 @littlebee said:

holliberry28 I have a female cat that's been with me for 8 years, and a male cat that I got 3 years ago. When I brought the boy home (he was a tiny kitten) my female cat was PISSED at me for a long time. Like she refused to cuddle with me for a good month or so. I hope the same doesn't happen with a real baby!

We had a similar situation, @littlebee.  Our older cat is a 5-year old female, and we brought home another female cat when she was 2 years old because we thought she wanted company when we were at work (we couldn't have been more wrong).  She literally growled at us like a dog for a week, and we had to do behavioral interventions and positive supports to get her used to the new kitten.  I'm considering Jackson Galaxy's book, since he's the cat guru.  And the feliway spray which is supposed to be calming.  I'm just worried she'll try to jump in the crib/bassinet when I'm sleeping.  

[wink568]

We plan on doing the blanket transition. I've also read that it's a good idea to get the animals used to seeing you carrying around a baby by practicing with a bundle of blankets or doll.

Haven't introduced my cats to a baby before, but since they adjusted well enough to a dog (that kind of starts off as a PITA compared to an immobile infant) I don't think a baby will be too much of a struggle for them. I'm more concerned with my dog. He does really well with other people's kids, until they decide to run and his herding instincts kick in. Never harms them, but it usually ends up with the child getting tripped. Luckily, we'll have some time for the dog to adjust to the baby and begin to see it as a family member as opposed to livestock.

[mmo2112]

Here's what Cesar Milan has to say about dogs: www.cesarsway.com/dog-training/socialization/introduce-your-dog-to-your-baby Looks like he has a couple of good tips beyond the basic "bring in a baby blanket" advice.

Sorry, cat people, I got nothin for ya but loads of good luck.

[Deleted]

holliberry28 we are keeping the cats out of our room for that exact reason. When we brought the crib home it took all of 5 minutes for them to jump in and start playing in there!

[holliberry28]

@littlebee, I think we'll have to do the same. But, they love sleeping in our bed. I've tried to stop the scratching at the door many times unsuccessfully in the past. Your cats probably thought the crib was their new bed

Edit: words

[nettje]

holliberry28 you could always put some tin foil in the bassinet and crib before baby comes home to discourage your cats from jumping in. My old girl adapted fairly well (which is surprising as she easily gets her tail in a twist) and never jumped in either. In fact, she avoided DD most of the time. She would cuddle next to me if I was nursing but would leave the baby alone for the most part. We also established a no pets in bedrooms rule while DD was in the bedroom in the bassinet. Id try to discourage the cats from hopping into the beds as soon as you set them up.

[sordidvolition]

Like wink568 suggested we bought a doll and started carrying it around. We also set up the bigger items like the swing so they could investigate it. We put the doll in and turned it on so they wouldn't be surprised at the movement. We also carried it around the house. Once we got home, we let them inspect the baby (safely of course). I can't remember anything else we did as it was three years ago but they did really well with accepting the interloper.

[megd893]

Feb 18, 2015 12:26:49 GMT -5 holliberry28 said:

Feb 18, 2015 12:22:29 GMT -5 @littlebee said:

I'm wondering the same since we have two cats and my parents (who will be providing childcare) have two small dogs. The dogs are actually great with babies, but I have no idea how my cats will react.

This is me.  I know most dogs will adjust, but I can just picture one of my cats saying in a french accent, "What is this? Who is this? How could you do this to me?"

If they're anything like my cats, they may also say "I didn't okay this.  Thus, I'll pee in your purse".  Feel free to replace "in purse" with "on bed", "on bean bag chair" etc. 
I'm REALLY looking forward to it... 

[Deleted]

holliberry28 the cats sleep with us too. The girl spoons with me and the boy sleeps at our feet. We haven't started the transition yet, but we're planning to keep them out of the room every other night until they start getting used to it. Then we will leave them out for 2 days in a row, then 3 and so on. DH is really torn up about it. I told him this was a better option than getting rid of them all together (which we would never be able to do).

[billyhorrible]

I feel like most advice for pet owners is centered around dogs - cats are a little different.

We don't have cats (DH is allergic) but I had growing up and have plenty of friends who do.

I think the best bet is to set up things early so they start getting used to them.  Personally, I wouldn't worry about the cats getting into cribs/swings/etc. (but I'm a crazy person)  My thoughts are they are not going to want to share the space with a crying fussy baby once the baby comes, and if they do, then it's going to be adorable.  (I don't buy into the cats smothering babies or stealing their breath mythology)

I would also make sure the cats always have a safe space to be when they don't want to deal with the baby - a closet access, something high, so they can retreat and sulk/relax/be alone.

[noeliav]

We also had all the baby stuff (bouncer, swing, car seat, stroller) set up and left out for the last month of my pregnancy, so our dog was pretty familiar with all these new things and their sounds/movements/etc.

[mrsdee1982]

We have a little Chihuahua. We plan on having DH introduce her to a blanket or hat or something that baby girl has worn in the hospital. We also plan on allowing her to inspect baby items once their set up, prior to baby's birth. We also plan on playing videos or recordings of baby cries, just to get our pup used to the new sound, so she doesn't think it's a reason to panic.

I have a feeling that our pup is going to think baby girl is her baby and will be super protective of her.

[baytosa2013]

We also have two male cats that we will need to introduce. They are already in the baby's room like it's theirs. They have been very curious about our painting, hanging, moving stuff around. We will get the crib soon and set up any other large items so they can check them out. One of them is a momma's boy and I thought he'd be the weird one but since I found out I was pregnant, he's been sleeping half on or at least near my tummy. The other one I KNOW will be all over the baby stuff. They are both Siamese but he's the jumper and curious one of the two. I'm not too worried about kicking them out of the room while we are in there but I will keep them out if the baby is sleeping alone. They don't take too kindly to closed ANYTHING around the house, so keeping them out of our room at night will result in less sleep for everyone involved.