Lifestyle

Preparing your pet for a new baby

Attending antenatal classes when pregnant with my first child, I was very concerned when the midwife warned about cats smothering babies in their cots.

How to prevent the family cat from jumping into the cot, potentially causing a disaster, is just one concern for new parents.

My own online research revealed several options to prevent this catastrophe from occurring.

Preventing the cat from jumping into the cot

There were many purchasable devices online designed to prevent the cat from sleeping in the cot with the baby – everything from cradle canopies to crib nets. But then the question dawned on me – were the devices designed to deter cats more dangerous than the actual cat?

I contacted Dr Lewis Kirkham, veterinarian and animal behaviour expert, as well as author of ‘Tell Your Dog You’re Pregnant’ and ‘Tell Your Cat You’re Pregnant’.

Some facts about cats and babies: ● Cats tend to fear babies and generally do not seek to harm the child due to jealousy or spite. ● There has only ever been one proven documented case worldwide where a cat has smothered a baby. Other cases were SIDS related and blamed on the cat without supportive evidence. ● There have been numerous cases of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) caused by devices fitted to cradles and cots causing strangulation or smothering risks. Red Nose (formerly SIDS and Kids) do not recommend any devices be fitted to a cradle. See www.rednose.com.au for current sleeping recommendations for babies. ● The only way to safely prevent a cat from gaining access to the sleeping quarters of a baby is a solid door. ● A pet (cat/dog) should not be left unsupervised with the baby.

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● Dogs generally pose more risk to a child than a cat. Owners need to be aware of how to read the body language of their dog to recognise fear and anxiety, as these signs often precede injury to the child.

Diseases transmitted from pets to baby (zoonoses)

Many pet owners also have concerns about diseases transmitted from the pet to their baby, but the reality is that it is unusual for cats and dogs to transmit diseases, even though they are often blamed for infections.

For example, toxoplasmosis (a protozoal parasite) is more likely to be transmitted to the pregnant mother and her baby via the placenta when eating tissue cysts in undercooked meat, poultry or seafood. It is vital to ensure all meat is thoroughly cooked prior to eating. It is important where possible that expectant mothers avoid cleaning out the litter tray unless wearing gloves - ideally your partner should do it. For more detailed information, refer to www.babyandpet. com.au or purchase Dr Lewis Kirkham’s books which provide detailed information on juggling cat or dog ownership with a newborn.

Desensitising your pet to baby noises

Dr Kirkham’s books come with a CD with various baby sounds. I played these to my cat during pregnancy, while providing her with lots of attention and her favourite food to positively associate the baby noises such as crying and gurgling with good experiences.

I also set up the cradle and the baby change table long before our baby arrived so that the cat was used to the new furniture.

Sleeping with the door shut did not pose any problems as the cat usually sleeps on the office chair in the study anyway. However, if your cat is used to sleeping on your bed, then it is important that this habit is changed prior to the baby coming along so that there is no negative association with less attention given to the cat when the baby arrives.

Dr Gretta Howard. Veterinarian Twitter: @ DrGrettaVet

How much does it cost to...?

From where I sit, the notion of value is fairly clear cut. However, I appreciate that this is a learned skill and one that is not easily understood without experience, trust, and some habit probing.

One of the most common questions we get daily in our agency is “how much is it to...?” From my side of the desk, it’s a little like asking “how long is a piece of string?” The real answer lies within an amalgam of the information that we can provide, what the client expects or seeks, and what the client is prepared to pay. Or what s/he perceives is the value in that price.

I have recently been fortunate to enjoy several wonderful travel experiences. In early April I was one of 150 travel agents and travel journalists worldwide invited to try the beautiful new Silverseas Cruises Silver Muse before it commenced sailing two weeks later with real passengers onboard.

It wasn’t a simple jolly. Apart from an extensive inspection and several marketing meetings, which meant little time for relaxing poolside (so sad!), we spent a lot of time weighing up whether the ship delivered what it promised and was this fair value, vis-a-vis similar cruise ship offerings. I thought yes, albeit it was definitely a product for the very top end – the rooms were large and beautifully furnished, there were eight restaurants offering a variety of cuisines, a lovely spa and more. And if you compared the cost against transportation, a view room in fashionable cities such as Venice, Monaco or Cannes with breakfast, meals and alcoholic beverages included, a show each night, and all the extras, then it was extremely cost competitive and offered excellent value when compared to a do-it-yourself trip. Provided you prefer to travel in this degree of style and comfort.

At the other end of the spectrum, prior to joining the cruise I stayed in an airport hotel at Barcelona that cost $110 room only with a courtesy shuttle on demand. I was seriously worried this hotel would be a dive, and that the Trip Advisor comments were created by staff. Yet I quickly rationalised it was only for one night, so try it I would. What a wonderful hotel it turned out to be. Had it been in the city it, would have commanded twice the tariff and the breakfast put many a 5 star establishment to shame. This hotel over-delivered and certainly provided value.

As I write this article, I am currently staying in a Peruvian lodge that offers remote experiences while staying in supremely comfortable accommodation, eating terrific food, utilising specialised guide services - and enduring high altitude walks that are definitely testing my lungs and stamina! (Why, oh why did I let myself be talked into a 14km trek ascending to 4350M!!!)

The daily rate is not inexpensive, however it is more reasonable than a lot of the Australian and New Zealand lodges that we sell – and includes so much more. Again, it’s another example of a travel product that might seem overpriced at face value but when you delve deeper to extract what is offered, the tariff seems so much more realistic. And this is before accounting for the operational difficulties that ‘remote’ presents.

I recently had a client request exit row seats for his flight to Europe. All up, the additional cost added $780 to his $1800 flight. Was it worth it? He thought so, but others wouldn’t.

Ditto flying business class. When you walk past Trendsetter’s Lane Cove store you might occasionally see an offer for business class flights at $5000-$6000. We know this is still a lot of money, but compared to a $10,000 option, it is sensational value. Similarly, many of our walk-ins are prepared to pay $300 for a cruise that they wouldn’t touch at $1000. Once we tell them what is included, they hope to be thrilled with a bargain, are realistic about the possibility of being disappointed but importantly, their value requirements have been met.

So please, do consult our wealth of knowledge when investing your valuable, hard-earned dollars in your dream travel experience. Looks can be deceptive – cheap may be good or bad, expensive may be poor or excellent value. On their own, the terms cheap and expensive are value judgements and are relatively meaningless. We are here to help you find what works for you, and what will deliver wonderful memories at the right price point. Certainly not what will make us the most revenue as we like happy clients for life!

TRAVEL Adrienne Witteman, Managing Director, Trendsetter Travel & Cruise Centre.