Overall, dogs don’t pose much of a risk to pregnant women. In fact, many of our friends swear their dogs were extra-affectionate with them. But don’t dismiss the fact that dogs and some other animals can act pretty unpredictably—you don’t want to risk injury to your belly if Fido gets really excited while playing and jumps on you. If your dog is a jumper—especially if he’s particularly big—it might be time to take him to a training course and focus on trying to get him to stop.
There’s no way of knowing whether baby will be allergic to your pet, but what’s cool to know is that some studies have suggested that children who grow up with pets are less likely to have allergies to them. But never say never. If you suspect baby has allergies to your pet, it’s worth a mention to her pediatrician.
Once baby comes along, make it a point not to ever leave your pets alone in a room with baby. Also, try some of these tactics to prep your pet for baby’s arrival.
Changing the litter box is a no-no when you’re pregnant. That’s because cat feces can carry a parasite that causes toxoplasmosis, an infection that can be spread to humans. Toxoplasmosis is extra-scary during pregnancy because it can cross the placenta and harm your unborn baby. So while you’re expecting, leave any kitty poop cleaning to your partner.
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Introduce nursery sights, smells and sounds early.
As soon as you can, set up your baby’s nursery so that your cat can check it out. Apply the baby soap and lotion you’ll be using to your hand or body and let him smell it. Turn on the baby swing so he gets familiar with the noise. You could even let him sniff a diaper.
A few weeks before your due date, make the crib, changing table, baby swing and other surfaces off limits. Cats don’t like sticky surfaces, so if you cut out some cardboard the same size as the furniture and cover one side with double-sided tape, your pet will learn to stay off.
Do cats know when you’re pregnant?
While there’s no definitive answer as to whether cats can tell if you’re pregnant, some experts think they may realize that something’s different. Cats may detect the hormonal changes your body is undergoing or notice a change in your movements, mood or normal routine.
Sometimes, cats react to those things by changing their own behavior. Some may become more attentive and protective of you.
Others may go the opposite way, like starting to urinate in places outside of the litter box, refusing to eat, grooming excessively or hiding from you. If your cat’s behavior becomes concerning, check with a veterinarian.
While you don’t have to worry about dog poop when you’re pregnant (other than the odor with your newly heightened sense of smell), it’s still important to prepare your pooch for her sibling.
Whether it’s her first foray into formal education or she needs a refresher course, consider putting your dog in obedience training. Basic skills — like “sit,” “down,” “stay,” “settle,” “leave it” and how to greet people politely (no jumping allowed) — will make her less likely to unintentionally harm your baby.
Remember, obedience training isn’t only about training your dog. You must brush up on your own training. Attend the classes with your pup, practice on your own and stick to the rules after your scholar graduates.
Ensure your pup is up-to-date on vaccines (including rabies shots) and that she is flea- and tick-free. Ask your vet about a pest prevention method that’s safe to use around a baby. Now is also a good time to chat with the vet about any concerning behaviors so you have time to resolve them before the baby arrives.