Disclaimer: I am an unabashed, devoted animal lover. Do pets and babies mix? Absolutely! Of course, it depends on the pet. Pythons and llamas would not be on my recommended list of household pets.
Often parents have pets before they have children. In this scenario, if the pet is a dog, it is wise to slowly introduce it to the new baby, and always supervise their interactions. Cats will investigate on their own, but never leave the cat alone with the baby. Let the cat or dog sniff the baby and the environment around the baby. Dogs and cats do get jealous, and may not welcome the new family member with unadulterated joy.
If you are thinking of having a baby some day and are selecting a dog before the baby is conceived, it would be wise to select a breed that is more tolerant of children. Check with a breeder or veterinarian before selecting the pet. If you are getting a dog after the baby is born, wait until the chaos has quieted down. Having a new baby and a puppy is not a good idea.
If you have a strong allergic history — asthma, hay fever, or eczema — you should try to pick a pet that will not shed too much. Again you can check with a vet for a low-dander choice. Your baby may not inherit your allergic genes, but it is heartbreaking to have to give away a beloved pet because of allergy symptoms in a child.
I think animals are good for children. Children learn about caring for animals, and the unconditional love that animals give is the best. Sometimes when children are upset, they can tell the animals their troubles. They usually will get lots of affection in return. If children are not exposed to dogs and cats, sometimes they become fearful. If you are not an animal lover, at least be sure to expose your child to dogs and cats so that they do not become fearful. We live in a dog- and cat-friendly country, so it is best to have your child get to know these wonderful creatures.
What are your experiences with your pets and your children? Any tips for new parents in introducing your new baby to a beloved animal?
Dr. Victoria McEvoy graduated from Harvard Medical School in 1975 and is currently an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at HMS. She is the Medical Director and Chief of Pediatrics at Mass General West Medical Group. She has practiced pediatrics for almost thirty years. She has been married to Earl for thirty six years and raised four children. She currently enjoys writing, traveling, reading, almost all sports, and spending time with her two grandsons.
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Comments: 8
Even when our dog makes her triumphal return, we would never leave her unsupervised with any young child, even if the child were old enough to push her away and stay standing. Even though she is made up of child-friendly breeds and has been carefully obedience and kid-trained since puppyhood. The dog trainer who supervised our dog training explained to us that no matter how trained our dog was, she was still a dog. When a dog is annoyed by a puppy who is doing the wrong thing, the dog grabs it by the scruff of the neck and holds it down until it shows submission by relaxing. This tells the dog that the puppy understands, and will obey. A child in distress struggles and screams to call for parents' help. Humans don't have a neck scruff made for safely grabbing with teeth. There is an inherent disconnect between the instincts of dogs and children. The trainer told us to never forget this. We can trust our pet, but only so far.
Even if the trainer was wrong, I believe it is better to be observant and safe than sorry. It would break my heart to give up our dog permanently. But it would kill me to lose my little son to an assault by any animal, well-meaning or not. A pet is good for a child, but only if the child is responsible enough to care for it gently and handle any sudden dangerous behavior from the animal until backup can arrive.
Thank for publishing such an informative article.
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