Many experts believe that every child can benefit from growing up in a household with a pet. According to them, they can learn and live values in a whole different way. The value of compassion, is one of the ones they practice on a daily basis. The fact that kids with pets take care of them, feed them and tend to them when they are sick, helps reinforce this in a whole different way.
If the pet needs to be introduced to a baby, then there’s a different learning that needs to be considered. Besides all the typical things, you need to consider like: what you’ll feed the animal, where the animal will sleep, where they will go to relieve themselves, and how will they keep themselves entertained. Plus, others like: is it safe to have a pet in the home? How will the pet react to the baby? How will the baby react to the pet?
If you are like me, you are probably wondering what steps you can take to make sure your baby stays safe. Look no more, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has made a list of tips. They will help you make sure your baby and cat get along.
The first thing to consider is to bring the cat into a quiet room without interruption. Spend some time with the cat and make sure he or she is comfortable. Once you and the cat are comfortable, you can introduce your baby and other family members into the room. Place one of the baby’s items or articles of clothing in a quiet area. The cat will feel more comfortable investigating it.
Second, it’s important to remember that cats are territorial animals. Once you give him or her a space in your house, it will be very difficult to take it back. So, make sure the room where the baby sleeps is off-limits to the cat. Babies can’t turn over. A cat may choose to cuddle up too close to the baby’s face. This would make it very hard for the baby to breathe. The cat would also mark the room with urine.
Also, make sure that you spend some time with the cat. Cats can get jealous of your time with the baby. The following video shows the type of relationship that a cat and a baby have. Everything I said can be true, however, theirs is a friendship that defies all the odds. Check it out!
https://youtu.be/ORtJxPkwaRo
