How do babies and dogs get along harmoniously?

For babies, there are many benefits when pets are around them, and interacting with pets helps with kids' social and emotional development.
But no matter how well you think you know your pet, or how gentle they may seem, it may be a potential danger to babies. Animals are our friends, but even friends can get angry. Even adults can get hurt by animals at any time, not to mention babies who are unable to distinguish between toys and animals.
Many families may give up keeping pets after having a baby. In fact, babies and pets can get along, but there are a few caveats. This article will show you how to get along with your baby and pet.

If you want to have a pet after you have a baby

In general, try to contact the baby and pet and become friends until the baby is old enough to take care of the pet. The age for a child to have a pet companion is over 5 years old when the baby is old enough to take care of a pet. But if you already have a pet, wait until your baby understands what "no" means. Pay attention not to let children and pets have competitive sense, parents should pay more attention to children. Otherwise, the baby may feel left out.

Choose a gentle pet

Older ones are generally safer than newborns, and smaller ones are better than larger ones because they are less likely to harm the baby.

Keep your pet clean

Pets tend to have more bacteria if they are dirty. Babies are vulnerable to infection from pets. So with pets and children at home, it's important to keep your home clean and tidy.
Regularly take the pet to the hospital for a physical examination, inject the vaccine, but also clean the pet thoroughly and remove mites. To prevent babies and pets from too close contact, it is best not to let pets lick the baby, especially the baby's face, hands, and wounds, to prevent the spread of the virus.
Wash your pet with a disinfectant bath, wash your pet's hair, and trim their nails to prevent the baby from sucking the hair or getting hurt by the pet's nails. Wash your baby's hands after touching pets. Prepare gauze, iodine, and alcohol at home in case of need.

Train your pet in healthy habits

Pet excreta is very unsanitary, must not let the baby be touched, and should be cleaned up in time. Pet's nest and cutlery should be cleaned in time because when babies start to crawl and walk, they like to run around the house. So you should pay attention to the handling of pet waste and clean pet dishes to avoid bacterial growth. Be sure to keep the room well ventilated and open Windows for at least two hours a day.

Keep pets out of the baby's room

The baby's living environment is very important. Although many owners clean their pets thoroughly, it can be difficult to get rid of parasites. Letting a pet into a baby's room can often fill it with germs, so keep it out of it.

Be prepared before baby and pet meet

Pets can be hostile to new members of the family at first. Take baby clothes home in advance to familiarize the pet with the smell of the baby, so the pet won't be sensitive to strangers when the baby comes home. Never leave pets and babies alone at home. Pets and humans need two to three weeks of familiarity, no matter how friendly they may seem at first, parents should always be there to protect their babies from harm.

Be alert! Babies are far less aware of the dangers

Give pet a space of its own

Gradually, the baby will climb and began to tear with his hands, with teeth to bite things. Parents should be vigilant at this time! Pets are used to the baby lying on the bed all the time, and changes in the baby's mobility can make it feel threatened, fearful, and likely to attack. Parents should pay special attention to this time, to let the baby away from pets. Give your pet a space of its own and don't let it wander around the house. Let your pet accept your baby's changes slowly, and let them get to know each other better.

Not to leave your pet and baby alone at home

Babies are too young to be dangerous and will irritate and injure their pets by pulling and scratching their ears or tails. So when the baby is learning to crawl, there must be parental care. To avoid safety risks, do not let children disturb your pet while it is eating or sleeping.

It is important not to leave your pet and baby alone at home. It takes about two to three weeks for a pet to get used to a human, and the parent should always be there to protect the baby from harm.

In all, spending time with pets at an early age can help develop empathy, responsibility, and social skills, as well as teach babies that animals smaller than themselves need to be cared for. In this process, your baby will learn the value of companionship and will no longer be self-centered. As long as parents play a good role in guidance, it is believed that babies and their pet partners will be happy!