Puppies and babies. There’s perhaps nothing
cuter than the image of them playing and
cuddling together. But, before you plonk the two
of them down for their close-up, a bit of planning
and preparation is in order, writes veterinarian
Dr David Gething
.
J
ust a cute little bundle of trouble.” That’s how Tramp
describes the new baby that Jim Dear and Darling foist
upon little Lady’s happy home, in the Disney classic
film
Lady and the Tramp
.
Lady is confused;
after all, wasn’t she their pride and joy? Wasn’t it her
needs that kept them doting and her cuteness that had them
oohing and ahhing? Who was this new intruder to interfere
with her perfect family? In fact, many modern parents would
agree: their first “child” was their pet. And when the time
comes to bring a human baby into the family, they worry
about how the family pet will respond. Fortunately, for
families who plan well, there are seldom any major problems
and Rover and Baby will be fast friends in no time.
Pet’s-eye view
Dogs view life with a pack mentality, and each member of
the pack – or family – has their position in the hierarchy
and their role to play. And they don’t tend to believe in
equality – even if you think everyone in your house is
equal, the loyal family dog has you all lined up from top to
bottom! In most cases, dogs see themselves as the protector
of the house, and this can work well when integrating a new
child into the family.
A dog typically views a baby as a privileged member
of the family, and would not generally see a young child
as a threat. They are apt to behave quite protectively with
a new child, often keeping a watchful eye. Cats, on the
other hand, generally view a new child with a vague but
passing curiosity. They may show a little interest at first,
but will then usually go their own way and try to avoid
close contact.
But in both cases, the best path to a smooth transition
is to make sure changes are gentle and the pets still feel like
they are valued members of the household.
Start preparations early
As a veterinarian, the first thing I recommend to expectant
parents is to start preparing well in advance of the new
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