Should pets be raised with babies?

So you're pregnant and you already have existing pets living in your house. But there is the fear that your furry friend might be carrying something that you can contract and risk the chances of your baby getting it. For example, outdoor cats that hunt mice and birds can carry toxoplasmosis, which can be found in their poop.

But the truth is, your pet can actually be beneficial to have around, so you shouldn't give it up for adoption, or not allow it to be part of your family. Yes, pets are a great responsibility, but they see you as their owner and family member, and they should not be seen as a form of comfort that you use until something new comes into your life and then discard it.

Here are a few reasons why it's good to raise pets with babies.

They can be your nanny

When the born baby is crying, your pet cat or dog will use its instinct to want to take care of the new addition to the family. A baby's cry is similar to a kitten's cry, hence why cats are always by the baby's side, looking over it and wanting to take care of it. If your dog is well behaved and you take the time to introduce the dog to the baby, your pet will love it and always want to be beside it. Animals are also instinctively protective over the youngest members of the families, which is another reason why you can feel safe having your pet around your baby.

However, it is advised to not keep the dog in the same room as the baby alone at all times, since the dog may be unsupervised and may disturb the baby when it's sleeping.

Animals can bring out a kind and gentle side that your baby can learn from

There is always a saying that animals and children are the most innocent things on this planet. Animals are kind and calm, especially when well behaved, which can bring out a loving and nurturing side out of your child. Once your baby grows up, it'll have a true companion beside it, that will teach your child to be respectful to other living things and compassionate too.

Pets help promote positive mental health for everyone

It is a known fact that pets help a lot of people with depression, and help contribute to having a positive mental health being. Having your furry best friend around can help you a lot, as well as your baby, since they will always try to make you happy and emotionally comfort you too.

They can help with exercise

Once your baby becomes more active and is crawling everywhere, your pet would want to join them too. Pets are active little creatures, and an energetic, curious baby is their perfect partner for physical activity. And as your baby grows into a child, it'll also want to run around with your pet and help you take it for walks too. It would be a fun family physical activity that everyone can participate in.

So should my pet stay or go?

It'll be a new chapter for you in your life once your baby is born, but that doesn't mean that you should abandon your old family members for it. Your pet has been your main support for a long time, and will want to love and cherish the new bundle of joy too. Your pet and baby will have a strong bond and memories together, that will always be precious. It's always important to supervise your pets around your babies, but generally pets are very beneficial to have.