BringYourPet.com

Bringing a baby home will certainly upset the normal routines of your household. Helping your four-legged baby become gradually acclimated to the new addition will help to smooth the transition.

Since smell is an animal's most trusted sense, let your pet get accustomed to the new smells before the little bundle comes home for the first time. You can easily start this before you even give birth. Start by washing your pets blanket in the same laundry soap you plan to wash the baby's clothes. You can also use any lotions or powders that you plan to use on the baby on your own skin. Once the baby has arrived, have a family member bring a used receiving blanket home for your pet to investigate.

If at all possible, expose your pet to other babies while you are pregnant. Have a friend come over to your house that already has a baby or go to a park where mothers like to bring their babies. Remember to always supervise your pet around any baby or small child. If you are not sure how your pooch will react and you are afraid to try, then obedience classes would be a good place to start.

In all the pre-baby chaos don't forget to plan ahead for proper pet care while you are having the baby. Either someone will need to come over to your house to feed and care for your animals or you will need to arrange for them to be boarded.

Set up as much of the baby furniture as possible before the baby arrives. This will give your pets a chance to get used to the new items and learn what they are and are not allowed to sit on. Cats especially need to be taught to stay out of the crib and bassinet. An easy and inexpensive way to accomplish this is to put balloons in areas you want your cat to stay out of. The squeaking and the popping sounds will most likely keep your cat from jumping in a second time. Double stick tape can also be applied to any area that you don't want your pets near.

If you are no longer going to allow your pet to sleep with you in your room or if the baby's room is going to be off limits than it is a good idea to install baby gates before the baby arrives. Your pet will have a chance to get used to the new rules and will not associate them with the new baby.

If your pet isn't already properly trained this may be a good time to start obedience classes. Make a point to train your pet not to jump up on you and to only come up on your lap when invited. This will allow you to walk and sit freely with your baby in your arms without the fear that your dog is going to jump on top of you both.

At least two months prior to the baby's due date, your pet should have a complete veterinarian examination including a fecal analysis for intestinal parasites (roundworm, ringworm, salmonella, and the bacterial infection giardia being the most common). Most of these parasites don't affect adults but can potentially harm babies with an immature immune system. Also make sure all shots are up-to-date. This vet appointment is also a great opportunity to discuss the best strategies for introducing your pet to your new addition.

Once baby is home try to maintain regular routines as much as possible. Also, don't be afraid to let your pet come over and give your baby a little hello sniff. By that same token, don't force your pet to go near the baby and remember to always supervise any interaction. If your pet becomes anxious when the baby screams or cries simply reassure her that it's ok. Fido and Fluffy will eventually get used to the new sounds.

Although it can be difficult for a new mom to find the time to take a nap or even a quick shower, still try to pay some special attention to your pets too - even if it's only a five minute game of fetch. Positive reinforcement goes a long way with pets, so always reward good behavior around the baby with treats.

A Note about Cats & Toxoplasmosis
As soon as the home pregnancy test comes back positive, many moms-to-be wonder if they can keep their cats. Toxoplasmosis is a disease causing parasite that can be found in the feces of cats that eat raw meat. Although a rare disease in the United States, Toxoplasmosis can cause serious birth defects.

However, this disease can be easily be avoided by following a few simple steps: First, avoid eating or handling any raw meat. Also, keep your cat indoors if at all possible and only feed your cat commercially prepared cat food. And the best part is that you need to have someone else clean the litter box for you (if this isn't possible than wear rubber gloves and wash your hands thoroughly afterwards).

Finally, remember to talk to your obstetrician about your concerns. There are some blood tests available that she might recommend.

New Book Helps Hotels Increase Profits by Becoming Pet Friendly

Due to the demand for accurate, actionable information about becoming a pet friendly hotel, BringYourPet.com recently released the book, "Making Your Property Pet Friendly: A How-To Guide."

"Making Your Property Pet Friendly: A How-To Guide" escorts readers through the process of becoming pet friendly from beginning to end. Months of research, hours of interviews and miles of fieldwork with current pet friendly properties helped to shape this essential how-to guide that is the backbone of any pet friendly program...

Follow this link:
http://www.bringyourpet.com/pfguide.htm

"Making Your Property Pet Friendly: A How-To Guide" is available in hardcopy and downloadable version.

Property Spotlight - Jewel of The Smokies

Jewel of the Smokies is a gorgeous 3 bedroom (loft-style), 3 bath cabin, in Pigeon Forge, TN. This incredible cabin is comfortably furnished to accommodate a large group including those who wish to bring their favorite family members, their beloved pets, with them.

Heavens Gate Animal Rescue (HGAR) is a group of all volunteers in the Baltimore Metro area working with abandoned, abused, orphaned and unwanted pets. HGAR is a nonprofit charitable organization. They are participants in PetSmart's Luv-a-Pet adoption programs and are donated space at in the store to show our pets that are ready for adoption. HGAR has also been at the Glen Burnie Ordnance Road Store since May of 1996. HGAR is still looking for a suitable property for or our own no-kill shelter and pet sanctuary. They exist on funds received from their flea markets, bake sales and donations. Funds are used to pay for their animals' health care, vaccines, spaying and neutering, food, litter any other needed supplies to keep their rescued animals healthy, happy and safe. While they do shelter some of their animals in the LUV-A-PET center, they also have a network of volunteer foster homes that provide a secure environment in a family atmosphere for the animals that are waiting to be placed for adoption.

Help BringYourPet.com serve you better by completing our one page questionnaire. All of your responses are completely anonymous.

Pause for Paws!

BringYourPet.com Affiliated Animal Welfare Charities