Pets and Your Pregnancy: Everything You Want to Know

If you’re pregnant, there are things you’re currently doing to prepare your home for the baby. Among the most important concerns is acclimating your pets to the changes going on around them.

After all, you can’t have a discussion about why the spare room is now a nursery, right? Your pet knows that things are different but isn’t quite sure why. It is important to know that as a pregnant pet owner, you cannot do some things because of challenges and health concerns they can present to your growing baby.

What to Consider When Taking Care of Your Pet While Carrying a Child

Caring for your furry friends can also be challenging considering some of the things that you can or cannot easily do. Once you’ve gained a certain amount of weight, walking your dog can be difficult.

If you are a cat owner, cleaning out your pet’s litter box is also a big no-no because the ammonia from the pet’s urine poses a threat to your health. In addition, cat feces may contain parasites, which can cause taxoplasmosis, a serious infectious disease that can lead to miscarriage and damage the baby.

It is important to also make sure that your dog or cat is vaccinated and dewormed. This will help to avoid an infection with pathogens. Expectant mothers should have their tetanus vaccine refreshed, if it is more than 10 years old.

Some other things you should be mindful about are picking up your pet, stooping down to put food in its bowl, transporting the animal to the vet, and bathing your furry friend. After touching your pet, you should always wash your hands thoroughly.

Pet dander can cause respiratory problems for you, so cleaning up after your pet by vacuuming, dusting and laundering your linens is imperative. Having a residential service come in to take care of these tasks may be ideal, once you start noticing how difficult the tasks become closer to your due date.

How to Delegate Pet Care During Pregnancy

There are going to be things that need to be done for your pet that are better left for others to do. If delegation isn’t your strong suit, you’ll find the following pointers helpful in tasking other people with the job of caring for your pet. That way, you’re able to efficiently take care of the rest of your schedule.

Here are some of the ways to do just that:

• Ask your family and friends to pitch in when they can.You likely have people asking you how they can help while you’re pregnant. Among the easiest is to come up with a list of things that your pet needs that you can no longer safely deliver. From washing out kennels to taking your pup to the dog park for you, family and friends can step in, especially during the latter stages of your pregnancy. Recruiting your inner circle to assist you with your pet ensures that your four-legged friends get the time and attention they need to thrive.
• Hire someone else to do it for you.If you don’t have anyone who can take time out of his or her schedule to help you, hire someone to come over and help out. You can use one of the many professional services that cater to pet owners. Find the perfect match by checking out the professional’s credentials and making sure that he or she is a safe option for you and your pet. Then, ask the person to do specific things for you so you can continue to give your dog and cat the exercise, play time, and medical care that they need to survive.

There is no shame in asking for help whenever you feel like you need it most. In fact, it’s far easier to do than to deal with an illness or injury while pregnant. The more transparent you are about your needs, the easier it is for others to assist you with them.

Caring for Your Pets Doesn’t Need to Be Difficult

Keep in mind that you are still able to do a lot for your pets while pregnant. You can give your fur children the TLC that they deserve. Spending time with your dog and cat help to strengthen your bond and it allows them to get used to the idea of a baby in the house.

You can acclimate your pets to your new arrival by playing sounds of babies throughout the day, making schedule changes prior to the child’s being born, showering them with less attention, and removing their items from the baby’s nursery. When you bring your child home from the hospital, slowly introduce the infant to your pet.

Never leave the animal in a room with the baby unattended, because you don’t know how the pet will react.