how do I get my pets ready?

[Lilseamonkey]

I mean my dog and cats have never been around a baby so I don't really know how to prepare them.. I've left her swing out in the living room and they pretty much ignore it lol so idk

[Caitlyn789]

I have two dogs ones a little over a year old and im not to worried about hun with the baby cuz hes been around them before its my 5 month old pup in worried about cuz hes been real hard to handle lately and is to energetic and no matter how many times he goes outside he  continues to go to the bathroim in the house even right after coming inside from going potty probly going to have to rehome him but dont want to cuz we had him since he was 8 weeks old

[Lilseamonkey]

Thank you guys so much for your advice hopefully I can find a doll somewhere lol and I will definitely have my mom bring back one if get outfits for my dog to smell. @kennimae I know how bad husky hair can get lol yuck! But I've locked my cats out of our room for the same reason I can't stand it and I vacuum all the time now. Again thank you ladies so so much I literally don't know what id do without this app.

[MommaAce]

My shitizu was overprotective of me & now she's completely actin out

[kennimae]

My mother in law said he took naps outside our door (I didn't let him sleep in our room because when I stated nesting hoshair really started grossing me out to the point I thought of having a bald dog) when baby was in there. And at night if she would cry he would start whining also and actually did that until we moved him to his moms house for a little so we could move back to PA.

[kennimae]

When I had my daughter we had a 5 month old Siberian husky because for some reason we thought it would be great. Well to introduce baby when I got stuff I set it up right away so he got used to it. When we came home my husband went in first with clothing that smelled.of.baby. he sniffed it and got him as calm as you can get a 5 month old puppy. We brought the baby in together and he held him and was petting him so he wouldn't jump and to show he was getting attention also. We had it that he could smell her feet and so he did. Then he kind of just followed us around when we had her like what thw heck is that thing.

[Krysma]

(Sorry cut me off) also when the baby is born I am going to place an outfit on her and then have my dad come home and place it on the doll so they smell her first. The last thing is when I come home from the hospital my father is going to carry the baby in the house for me so I can greet my dogs first so they know they are still special. Then after there excitement is over slowly introduce them to the baby. Those are the tips I have sweets sorry it is so long. But my dogs mean the world to me and so does my daughter so I have to ensure they can both live in the house happy together. Best of luck and congrats on your lo.

[Krysma]

I have two dogs,and I have worried my self on how this big change will effect them. They are both spoiled dogs. Like the type of spoiled they are like my kids already. Here is a bit of what my vet told me and some things I am doing to prepare them. Oh and I have a bulldog and a minpin. The vet said to do the blanket thing that was posted above but also start ignoring them a bit more now so they are not in shock once you can't always pay attention to them. Also have a space that is for them to take a "time out" away from baby. Get it set up now so they know it is a place baby will not go and they can get away when it is too much for them. The last thing the vet told me is to make sure there food bowls are kept in a place baby isn't allowed. Animals in general are protective with food,so you do not know what the pets will do if baby is around food. Even if your pet is the sweetest thing in the world (like mine are) never leave them alone with the baby. Now as for what I am doing. I have put the car seat and crib up already(25 weeks) so they get used to it being around. I have also asked friends that have a little one to bring her around a bit so the dogs get used to that sound of a baby cry. I have also bought a doll that mimics a baby and have placed it in both the car seat and crib so they can see something in there. It cries and they freaked out at first but now if it cries they come to me like hey hey that thing in the thing is making noise. Als

[MommahElizabeth]

Get your dog to be around your belly . I did that to my dog and everytime I sit down he comes to me and puts his head on my belly; he sometimes licks my shirt when he feels my daughters kicks:)

[Lilseamonkey]

Thank you! I never even thought about that

[Liz_zoey]

Not quite sure for the cats, but for the dogs get a blanket you don't really care about, and wrap baby in it when he/she is still in the hospital so it gets babys scent on the blanket. Then give that blanket to the dogs so they'll know babys scent and know that baby is supposed to be there. It might help the dogs become protective of baby also.