Even though some of you might have heard that dogs may know before their owners that a baby is on the way, there are numerous details parents should take into coinsideration when it comes to having pets and babies at the same time. Domestic animals are the ones that children find the most magical and fascinating as they grow up together and protect each other. 

There are various ways how you can prepare your pet for the newest addition to your houselod:

• Introduce your pet to the new sounds and smells that will come along with a newborn by playing recordings of a crying baby and bringing in baby items such as lotions, diapers and so on;
• Swaddle a doll or a toy and carry it around as you would hold a newborn. To reinforce a positive association with the baby, reward your pet for good behavior in the presence of the newborn - doll;

Apart from the approaches mentioned above, it is also essential to be aware of the pros and cons the co-existance of pets and babies is followed with:

Pros:

• Pets have been considered to make children healthier and prevent them from getting allergies  due to the bacteria that is present in cats and dogs which can fortify the human immune system.
• Pets help foster personal growth by promoting children's respect for life, environment and nature;
• Pets help toddlers develop not only patience and problem-solving skills but also empathy and compassion;
• taking care of pets teaches children about responsibility and helps develop their nurturing side;
• While interacting with pets, physical activity level of babies get higher so that reduces the risks of childhood obesity and diabetes;

Cons:

• Beware of allergies! If you suspect that a baby might have an allergy to animal fur or dander, try to rule that out before introducing a pet to your home;
• Ticks and fleas! If you own a pet, the chances of them carrying ticks and/or fleas into your home are pretty high;
• Babies can become over-friendly with pets and a loving lick from the animal can transmit infectious stuff like fecal matter on to the mouth or eyes of your baby;
• Cats and dogs can scratch or nip if they are feeling unhappy;
• Owning a pet requires budget;

Letting your child grow up with pets is a wonderful way to teach them many valuable and important lessons. But before mamking that decision, ask yourself whether the advantages outweigh the disadvantages when it comes to having a pet for your children.