Introducing your pet to your new baby

Bringing home a baby is not only a major life event for you, it’s also a big deal for your pet. Dogs and cats alike thrive on routine and familiarity, so the sudden arrival of a baby can feel overwhelming. With the right preparation and proper introductions, it’s more likely your baby and pet can peacefully coexist and hopefully become best buddies.

Here’s how to set your pet up for success in developing a positive relationship with your baby.

Before the baby arrives

It’s best to help your pet get used to the idea of a baby before your little one comes home. Familiarize your pet with everything new that will come along with the baby’s arrival.

The home will smell different with baby powder and lotions, and sound different with baby sounds. The home may start to look different due to the shifting of furniture or addition of new objects and toys for the baby. The routines of the home will change with activities centered on the baby.

When your baby finally comes home, your pet should already be as comfortable as possible with all these other changes so that the only new change in the home is the baby. To ensure a successful introduction, we recommend the following steps be taken well before your baby arrives in the home.

• New scents: Start using baby lotions, powders or washes so your pet gets accustomed to the smells.
• Baby sounds: Play recordings of babies crying, laughing or babbling. Reward your pet with treats or praise for calm behavior.
• Baby gear: Set up the crib, stroller, swing and other equipment early so they become part of the household.
• Practice time: If possible, invite friends or relatives with babies to visit so your pet can observe from a safe spot. Do not force your pet to interact but do reward them if they’re calm or ignoring the baby.
• Routine: Try to keep your pet’s feeding, play and cuddle times consistent. Predictability helps them feel secure.
• Safe spaces: Make sure your pet has a retreat—a quiet room, crate or a cozy perch—where they can relax undisturbed.

For cats

At least once or twice a day, engage your cat in interactive play. These are the toys that you move and your cat chases, such as wand toys, fishing rod toys and cat laser lights. This playtime will help to reduce your cat’s stress levels and will also make sure their need for stimulation is being met. Playing with your cat near the baby—if the cat is comfortable with this—will also create positive associations.

Pay close attention to your cat’s body language and vocalizations to determine how comfortable they are with the baby. If your cat is showing signs of stress—hissing, withdrawing, hiding, lack of appetite, not acting normally—try to ensure that they have enough safe spaces to hide/perch and move slower with the introduction. Each cat will adjust at their own pace and patience will pay off. It’s much better to have a slow introduction which leads to success than a rapid introduction which leads to fear and stress.

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For dogs

Freshen up on basic dog body language. Dogs often show many signs of discomfort before they growl, snap or curl their lip. Stress yawns, retreating from a stressful situation and freezing are some of the ways your dog is telling you they’re uncomfortable. Provide a safe space for your dog to go where they can decompress from the baby if needed and where you can ask them to go when you need to focus on the baby and can’t supervise directly.

Be thinking about whether you need some extra help in the beginning. Booking a regular dog walker can be extremely helpful in keeping your dog’s routine the same and ensuring they’re more tired, which can help them acclimate to the baby.

Consider where you currently feed your dog. Is the food bowl in an area of the house where a future toddler will often be? Does your dog struggle with people in their space when they’re playing with toys or eating food? Consider moving their designated feeding area to a quieter space that can be easily blocked off from a baby or toddler with a baby gate.

It can be tempting to give your dog new toys when a baby is in the house but, if your dog tends to be protective of new stuff, avoid bringing new toys home initially or train your dog to take high value toys and chews into a large crate so they can enjoy them without a small child accidentally grabbing them.

If it’s been a few years since your dog learned basic training, freshen up on the basics. A dog who can sit for greetings, goes to a specific bed when they need to settle or knows how to safely exchange a toy or piece of food for a treat can be very helpful when they’re learning to be around a new baby. Using positive reinforcement-based training methods is not only humane but also helps your dog associate a baby with positive things.

When the baby comes home

When the baby first arrives home, your pet may be curious, cautious or even a little anxious. Here are some tips for ensuring a successful introduction:

• Let your pet approach at their own pace. Never force an interaction.
• Pair the baby’s presence with good things, like treats, praise or affection.
• Keep early interactions short and positive.
• Watch your pet’s body language for signs of stress like retreating, growling, hissing, whining or flattened ears, indicating they need more space.
• Lean on your training. Ask your dog to go to their safe space whenever they feel uncomfortable and reward them for doing so.

Baby’s best friend

With patience and supervision, babies and pets can build a loving bond. By respecting your pet’s needs while including them in family life, you set the foundation for a safe and happy relationship that will grow right alongside your child.

Looking ahead

In some cases, pets may become more stressed when the baby becomes a toddler and begins to crawl around the home. Toddlers can be scary for dogs and cats because of their unpredictable movements and sounds, and they may need their safe spaces. If you’ve used a safe space while the baby was younger, it will come in handy during this phase. Use baby gates or closed doors to create boundaries as needed.

As your child develops, teach them how to appropriately pet an animal (gently, and only when the animal wants to be pet), what not to do (don’t touch a cat’s feet or pull a dog’s ears) and how to read basic body language (hissing or growling means “leave me alone right now”). Teach them that an animal’s tail is sensitive and that pets are not to be ridden like toys.

Your pet and baby should never be alone together until your child is well past the toddler stage and you are certain that your pet is comfortable with your child and that your child is comfortable around your pet. We know supervising kids and pets all the time is a big undertaking. Don’t hesitate to use that safe space when you’re distracted. A comfortable dog crate or safe room with a baby gate can make a world of difference for everyone.