Preparing Your Pets for a New Baby
A new baby brings big changes to routines, smells, and sounds. Pets can find this stressful.
Preparing in advance makes the transition smoother and safer.
Before the baby arrives
- Introduce new routines gradually
- Set up nursery furniture early
- Play recordings of baby sounds at low volume with treats
- Teach dogs to settle on a mat
- Decide which rooms pets can enter
Introductions
Bring home a blanket with the baby’s scent before the baby arrives. When introducing a dog, keep it calm and on lead initially, and reward gentle behaviour.
Supervision
Never leave a baby or young child alone with any pet, however gentle. Use baby gates to create safe spaces.
Cats
Give cats high resting places away from the baby. Keep cats out of cots and prams. Pregnant people should avoid cleaning litter trays where possible due to toxoplasmosis risk, or wear gloves and wash hands.
Look after your pet
Keep some one-to-one time with your pet. Ask friends or a dog walker for help with exercise in the early weeks.
This is general pet-care information, not veterinary advice. Every animal is different — if you are worried about your pet's health or behaviour, contact your veterinarian. In an emergency or a suspected poisoning, call your vet or an animal poison-control line immediately.