Although we’ve all heard this one, given that it’s passed down through the generations, this is far from true; and if you own a cat and have a baby, you can juggle the two quite nicely as long as you are careful. Owning a cat also has a number of benefits for children; it teaches a child to respect animals, to take care of something littler than he or she, and provides a furry companion for him or her. However, just like with anything else with young children, you have to be watchful and be ready for a quick rescue and possibly a band-aid or two. There are some steps you can take though to make the transition from a one-cat family one that now has a baby as well.

Your Cat’s Temperament

There’s not much you can do about this if you weren’t planning on having children, but if you can manage it, get a cat with a more modest and mild temperament. Certainly a cat that plays and bats at string is fun, but a cat who will happily loll around while your toddler pokes at her is a lot less stressful! Try to get a cat who is mild mannered and willing to leave if she’s being bothered. Get a female if you can and of course get her spayed. These things will help to guarantee a mild and non-territorial animal, which will make it easier for her to get accustomed to your baby.

Cat’s Space

However, if you have a male cat or one who’s more territorial, there are ways to manage this, as well. Do things like make sure to give him some solid attention, even for just a few minutes a day, and make sure to set aside a room that is your cat’s and that the baby will not be able to get into. Your cat will especially love this when your baby turns into an active toddler and it comes time to escape sticky fingers. Even if your cat is the mildest and laziest one in the world, he’ll still appreciate a room where the toddler won’t be invading his naptime.

Senses

A cat’s whole world is wrapped up in her sense of smell. If you want to get your cat accustomed to the idea of having a baby around, then start out by getting your cat used to the smells of baby; baby powder, lotions, and even breast milk or formula if you can manage it. By wearing these scents and keeping them around the cat, your pet won’t be so shocked when the baby comes in smelling like… well, a baby.

Other things you can do is to include playing baby sounds around the cat so he can get used to crying and wailing. If you don’t want your cat getting into your baby’s crib or near it, put up a screen in the doorway so that your cat can at least feel involved instead feeling neglected. And of course, give your newborn and toddler plenty of opportunities to stroke, pat and kiss kitty. Both the child and the cat will appreciate that!

House Prep Work

Finally, make sure the house is both pet and baby friendly. Keep cat litter and cat food out of baby’s reach, as much as possible, and make sure that your cat is dewormed and has all her flea treatments in order. If you’ve not done so already, please put up any screens in the windows to ensure your furry kid doesn’t get out of doors. This is a good idea whether you have a baby or not and is especially recommended while your cat adjusts to no longer being number 1 in your life. Also consider them for doors to keep your cat out of your baby’s room and by the same token, make sure that baby can’t get into kitty’s room! Finally, make sure to remind visitors that your cat needs love too and that way your cat won’t develop any sibling rivalry feelings towards your baby.

With a bit of effort and work, your cat and your baby can become friends and this is beneficial for the entire family. Whatever you do, don’t get rid of your cat! Instead, work to make the family unit a stronger one by including your cat and doing the necessary preparations for both baby and your pet.

All dogs require exercise daily. Regardless of their breed, or the size, they need to get out and run around or at minimum, have at least two walks a day. A walk doesn’t mean that you take him outside to do his business and bring him back home. All that you’ve ensured is that he won’t eliminate in the house.

Ideally, you have a park nearby and you can take him there to really exercise. If that’s not an option, he needs to walk at least 3 blocks in each direction. A vigorous walk is preferable over a slow one. Running is in all dogs’ blood as each was bred for a purpose.

Some were bred to herd sheep, others to chase rats on a farm, others to retrieve animals that their owners hunted and killed, others still were bred to pull snow sleds.

Dogs, if they’re in good shape, will not tire easily. This is the case with small or large dogs. If your lifestyle doesn’t allow for long walks, you should consider whether having a dog is for you.

Dogs living on a farm or in the country are likely to get an ideal amount of exercise as their owners spend a lot of their time outdoors. This is ideal, but those of you living in the city or the suburbs can exercise your dogs regularly.

Apart from dogs getting fat and being at risk for developing diabetes as a result of a sedentary life, there are other equally unpleasant results of not exercising your dog regularly.

They are:

• Bored barking – if you have every wondered why your neighbor’s dog barks day and night, ceaselessly, this is why
• Chasing one’s own tail – this is a symptom of pent up energy. Eventually this grows into an “OCD” type manifestation.
• Aggression – where else will that pent up energy go?
• Running from one end of the apartment or house to another, over and over and over again – another sign of pent up energy
• Chasing objects in the house as you are trying to clean
o Not referring to your cats but rather the vacuum cleaner or broom

Exercise needn’t always be in the form of a long walk. Here are some ideas for how you can ensure your dog gets the exercise he or she needs and it not feel like drudgery for you:

Ultimate Frisbee
Maybe as a teenager your friends and you played this fun game with each other. Dogs are amazingly adept at playing this game. Indeed the first few times he or she will drop the Frisbee or run in the wrong direction or just sit there after you’ve thrown it. Encourage him or her to run and chase it. It won’t take long, dogs live to serve you and please you.

Set Up an Obstacle Course
Given that dogs are bred to hunt or retrieve, and part of that means crawling in small spaces, running and jumping, set up a course that incorporates all the above. Again, initially you may have to encourage him or her, but it’s something that you’ll have fun doing together for hours.

Tips to Calm Your Dog
• Make sure your dog knows you are alpha of the pack. Dogs are most aggressive if they think they are in charge, and they should not be.
• Teach your dog the “leave it” command. When your dog starts looking at the cat as though it is going to go after it, tell your dog to “leave it” so that your dog leaves the cat alone.
• Don’t create confusion within the “pack.” If your cat is submissive and your dog is not, the dog should be fed first, because that is how the pecking order works in your dog’s caste system. The cat will likely not care either way.
• Pet both of your animals together, so that their scents get on each other. Animals that smell themselves on other animals are more likely to accept them as a pack member.
• Allow your dog considerable time to get used to the cats presence if it is a new cat in the family. The dog should be able to sniff the cat’s scent through a baby gate or some type of device that keeps the cat safe while still giving the dog plenty of opportunity to explore.
• Reward your dog for good behavior. Every time your dog acts nicely towards your cat, give it a treat. When your dog looks at your cat and does not show aggression, or sniffs towards the cat without growling, barking or showing teeth, give your dog a treat so that your dog associates the cat with good feelings.
• Do not give them an opportunity to fight with each other. Keep them separate in separate rooms, and if you are worried about your dog charging your cat, keep your dog on a leash so that you can keep it back. You do not want to accidentally encourage any negative behaviors.

Habituation is Key

The more your dog and cat are used to each other’s presence, the less likely they are to attack each other or show considerable signs of aggression. Try to keep them in each other’s presence as much as possible, but in a safe enough way that they do not have the opportunity to attack each other. Baby gates or keeping your dog on a leash is the best way to get them used to seeing each other, and the more contact they have with each other, the less likely they are to show aggression.

If you are getting a new cat or dog, be sure and plan for several days to as long a s a few weeks for the two to get used to each other’s presence. For your cat and dog to get along, you need to give them ample time to settle in with each other. Never simply throw the two in the same room (even if they both appear friendly) without going through all of the socialization techniques described above. Every precaution should be taken to reduce problems now as well as prevent problems later.