Bringing home your new little one is exciting, but what about your other baby—your beloved fur baby? Pets and newborns can form amazing bonds, and growing up with a pet can even help boost your child’s immune system and reduce allergies! But to make this transition smooth, a little prep goes a long way. From that first adorable introduction to creating new routines, here’s how to help everyone adjust and start life as one happy family.
How can I prepare my pet for a baby in the home?
Your pet will likely pick up on a change as soon as you find out you are pregnant or start making arrangements for your baby. New furniture, changes in activity levels and routines, and new rules can alert your pet to a change and possibly induce stress. Take some time out of your preparatory months to train your pet for the new baby.
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- Vet Examination: Maintain regular vet visits to ensure your pet is healthy and up-to-date on vaccinations. Spay or neuter your pet if you haven’t already done so to help with potential behavioral problems. Speak with your vet about existing behavioral issues to work out a treatment plan.
- Boundaries: Make decisions regarding boundaries. Will your pet be allowed in the nursery while you’re there with your baby? Does your pet sleep with you and will this be continued? If using a baby gate, consider putting it up early so your pet learns which rooms are on and off limits. Practice having your dog lay next to you rather than sit in your lap.
- New Noises: Consider setting up and turning on some baby toys and swings so your pet can get used to their sights and sounds. Play baby sounds on YouTube.
- Pets in Cars: Get your pet used to being securely confined to one area while on car rides.
- Obedience: Teach your pet basic obedience and practice daily. Teaching “place,” crate-training, and providing your pet with its own sealed-off safe space can be helpful for pets who get overexcited or overwhelmed and need a break. Enroll dogs in obedience class if needed to curb jumping on you or your toddler, food stealing, and other unwanted behaviors.
- Doll Practice: Some dog owners have found it helpful to train pets with a baby-sized doll. When holding and cooing to the doll, have your dog remain calm at your feet in sit or stay or in their bed. Reward them for their calm behavior. This can make interacting with the baby a positive experience by giving your pup a job and reducing jealousy.
- Stroller Acclimation: Strollers can induce stress and aggression in dogs. Practice walking your dog with a stroller early before the baby comes to associate stroller walks with treats, praise, and positive attention for calm behavior.
How should I introduce my baby to my pet?
After preparing your pet for the arrival of your new baby, you may introduce them as soon as the baby is home and you feel ready. Here are some ideas of how you can arrange the first introduction to go smoothly:
- Scent Introduction: Before a face-to-face interaction, let your pet smell but not take an item touched by the baby so your pet can get used to their new housemate’s smell. You can pack an extra blanket or clothing item in your hospital bag and send it home early to let your pet smell it before the baby arrives.
- Leash: Introduce your baby to a leashed pet and hold one or the other. This way both your baby’s and your pet’s movements will be in your control.
Will my baby be safe around my pet?
In general, most newborns are safe if supervised properly around cats and dogs. However, no matter how much you trust your furry friends, err on the side of caution as animals are often unpredictable and do carry germs and have instincts that can lead to attacks. Take these precautions while introducing your little one to pets:
- Supervision: Never leave a child unattended with a pet, especially if your child is under the age of three. Always supervise interactions between your pet and baby. Never let a pet sleep with an infant to avoid suffocation risk. Watch for signs of territorial aggression or stress in your pet and remove them from the room to a secure space once spotted.
- Hygiene: Wash your own and your baby’s hands after touching animals. Try not to let your pet lick your baby, especially their face. A few licks are ok, but prolonged licking can expose your little one to germs and can be your pet’s way of establishing dominance. Wear gloves and immediately wash your hands after changing cat litter and ask a loved one to change it while you’re pregnant to avoid risks of toxoplasmosis.
- Training and Teaching: Train your pet to only hop onto your lap when invited. See more about training boundaries in the preparing your pet section. Teach your child to stay away from pet waste, litter boxes, toys, and pet food. Teach your child to gently and quietly interact with your pet. Do not let your pet jump or sit on your child as it can lead to injuries or suffocation.
- Disease Prevention: Make sure your pet is up to date on vaccinations. Keep items regularly in your pet’s mouth out of reach of young children. Clean up pet waste before taking your child on the lawn.
- Maintain Pet Routine: Try to maintain some of your pet’s normal routine once the baby comes home. Reach out to trusted friends and neighbors if needed to arrange pet walks and play dates.
Birds, rodents, reptiles, and amphibians can carry salmonella and other harmful bacteria that may put your newborn at risk. The CDC recommends children under 5 should avoid contact with these animals. Ask a loved one if they can watch over your scaly and feathered friends while your baby develops a stronger immune system.
How will my pet react to no longer being the center of attention?
It’s natural to worry about how your pet will adjust to sharing attention with a new baby. Balancing time for both might feel overwhelming, but with a few simple practices, you can help your pet feel included and loved as you all settle into this new routine together.
- Special Time: Having planned one-on-one “special time” with your pet and your baby can help your pup feel loved by you even with a new “sibling”.
- Exercise: Helping your dog get proper exercise and playtime can help them from feeling pent up in the house and ignored. Ask for help from a loved one or neighbor to walk your pet or take them outside, come play with your pet, or take your pet with them on a park playdate. Consider Doggy Daycare if you’re worried about your pup being pent up in the early days. They will love getting out extra energy while you get special time with your newborn!
- Baby Talk: When cooing and talking with your baby, talk to your pet too! Give them a special treat or toy to encourage positive feelings around the baby.
- Special Treats: Offer chew treats or puzzles to your pet if you leave them alone in another room while you’re having alone time with the baby. Make them associate you leaving with the baby as a time to get a toy or treat they don’t usually get.
Bringing a baby into a pet-loving home is an adventure, but with practice and patience, everyone can settle in happily. Here’s to many years of snuggles, laughs, and lifelong friendship!
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