Imagine a situation where your pet, who has been the centre of your attention, suddenly gets sidelined because of a new entrant into the home. There are many couples who choose to keep a pet and then have a baby. In such cases, it is extremely important to make sure that your pet understands the relationship between him and the newborn.
In a home which is inhabited only by a couple, it can get very difficult to balance the attention given to the pet and baby. However, handling a pet is very similar to handling an older sibling. All it needs is tact from the owner’s side.
Vet Prakash explains that most animals are understanding in these circumstances. “Dogs are most empathetic. If the dog is older and has already bonded with his owner, then it’s very easy to make the animal and baby bond. Animals are also very protective towards the young, whatever the kind is.”
Businessman Naem V says, “I had guinea pigs that I’d play with all the time, and of course, the time I spent with them decreased considerably when we had the baby. I didn’t see any noticeable differences but I’m sure it affects even them. They’re smaller animals, of course, but it helps if the baby is given a chance to play with them.”
Dr Prakash says that the onus is on the pet owners to create the association between the two. “It is important to make the pet familiar with the smell of the baby. Many times, owners sideline their pets because it’s not healthy for the baby and because the doctors have suggested the same. They confine the spaces of the animals, which might make them hostile. But it is very rare to see a pet attack a baby.”
The role of a pet is very similar to that of an elder sibling. As the association between the pet and baby grows, they feel more protective and responsible. “We’ve heard so many stories from around the world where a pet has saved a baby,” says student Tana P.