How do babies and pets live together? 4 principles for harmonious coexistence

In many families, when a woman becomes pregnant, her family will throw away or give away anything that may affect the baby's health or pets. Are you really willing to do this? Wouldn't it be very sad to give away a pet that you have raised for many years? Is there any good way to make babies and pets live in harmony? Let's take a look.

Myths about babies and pets living together

Q: Will pets at home cause allergies in pregnant women and children?

Solution: Pet hair and excrement are not the main allergens for children and pregnant women. Genetic constitution is the main factor that determines allergies. Children with a family history of severe allergies are indeed less suitable for keeping pets. However, Finnish scientists, pediatric journals and recent medical research have confirmed that babies with mild or uncertain allergies who start contact with animals during pregnancy will have a lower chance of allergic attacks in the future! Human immunity is not fully developed before the age of 6. More contact with different bacteria and pathogens can actually enhance the development and health of the immune system.

Q: Is pet feces highly toxic to pregnant women?

Solution: This statement is mainly aimed at the infection of Toxoplasma. In fact, Toxoplasma can be found in many places in life, including the pork, beef, and mutton we often eat, as well as the soil in the environment, and even the wild vegetables and lettuce grown outside. As long as they are not cooked, they may all be infected. But the probability of infection is extremely low, and there are few cases of infection with Toxoplasma due to caring for cats. If you are worried that your pet's feces (especially cats) are infected with Toxoplasma, you can let other family members clean up the feces.

Principles for peaceful coexistence between babies and pets

★Principle 1／Pay attention to the cleanliness and health of your pet

Animals' fur is prone to parasites, so it is best to comb it frequently. When the weather is hot, it is recommended that parents shave their pets' fur to reduce the risk of dandruff and parasites, and to make it easier to keep them clean and hygienic. In principle, dogs should be bathed once a week, and cats should be bathed once a month. In addition, to prevent babies from being accidentally scratched, it is recommended that parents cut their pets' nails short and smooth, which will be safer. If they are really scratched or bitten, be sure to clean the wound immediately or seek medical attention. Basically, trained pets will not attack children, so parents do not need to be overly nervous.

Moms should also remember that it is best to take your pet for a regular health check and cleaning every month to see if there are parasites or other diseases so that they can be treated as soon as possible and avoid infecting family members.

★Principle 2／Maintain a clean home environment

You can prepare air purifiers, vacuum cleaners, dehumidifiers, etc. with sterilization functions at home to filter out allergens and bacteria in the air, absorb hair floating in the air and on the floor, and improve the pet hair problem that many people are worried about. Just remember to change or clean the filter frequently to ensure that the home appliances can play the due filtering quality. It is best to change and clean the areas where pets live, such as bedding and toilets, every day, and blankets or toys should also be cleaned regularly.

In addition, before the baby is 6 months old, it is best to separate the living space from the pet to prevent the child from misusing the pet's supplies and toys!

★Principle 3／Keep yourself clean

After touching pets, you must wash your hands! Whether it is adults or children, you must follow this principle at home to ensure the health of your family. Especially children often forget to wash their hands after playing with pets, so parents should pay special attention.

★Principle 4／Teach your baby how to get along with others

Remind parents that even if the pets at home are usually well-behaved, do not let the pets be alone with the baby, and adults must be nearby at all times. Because babies cannot control their own strength, they may attack the pets unintentionally and cause a counterattack. When the baby is older, you should start to teach him to treat animals gently and love the pets as family members.