New Baby and Pets: How to Prepare Your Dog or Cat

Bringing a new baby home is one of the biggest changes a household goes through — and it is a significant change for your pet too. Smells, sounds, routines, and the way you interact with them will all shift. The good news is that with some preparation in the months before the baby arrives, most pets adjust well.

Start Early

The earlier you begin, the easier the adjustment. Ideally, start making changes three to six months before the due date. Changes introduced gradually feel natural; changes made suddenly — especially during or just after the baby's arrival — are much more stressful for the animal.

Adjusting Routines Gradually

Your pet's routine will change when the baby arrives. The more you can shift it in advance, the better.

• If your dog's walk time will change (because the baby arrives at night and mornings become hectic), start shifting the walk time now — 15 minutes at a time.
• If your cat currently sleeps on your bed and you plan to change that, start introducing a new sleep spot weeks before the baby comes home, not the day after.
• If your dog will need to spend more time in a specific part of the house (not in the baby's room, for example), introduce that boundary calmly now.

Preparing for New Sounds and Smells

Babies smell and sound completely different to adults.

• Play recordings of baby sounds (crying, gurgling, high-pitched voices) at low volume, gradually increasing over weeks. Reward calm responses.
• Before the baby comes home, bring home a hospital blanket or clothing item with the baby's scent. Let the pet investigate it calmly, with you present.
• Use any baby-specific products (lotion, powder, nappies) before the baby arrives so the smells are already familiar.

Setting Safe Spaces and Boundaries

Both the baby and the pet need a space where they are safe.

• The baby's room: decide now whether your pet will have access and what the rules will be. A baby gate is usually a better solution than a closed door — it allows the pet to see and hear what is happening without being able to enter.
• Your pet's retreat: your dog or cat needs a space that is entirely theirs, where they can go to rest without being disturbed. This is especially important once the baby is mobile — toddlers and small children can overwhelm animals who have no escape route.

Training Before the Baby Arrives

For dogs in particular, basic obedience makes the transition much easier:

• Sit and stay: invaluable when you are holding the baby and the dog is excited
• Off: if your dog jumps up, work on this now
• Settle: teaching a dog to go to their bed and lie down on cue
• Gentle: handling and slow movements around small things (practice with a doll if needed)

Enlist the help of a qualified trainer if your dog shows any resource guarding, fear, or aggression. These behaviours need professional guidance and should be addressed before a baby is in the picture.

The Day You Bring the Baby Home

• Have one adult come in first to give the dog or cat a calm, normal greeting before the baby is brought inside.
• Bring the baby in quietly. Allow the dog to sniff from a distance, sitting or lying calmly, on lead if needed.
• Stay calm yourself — pets read your emotions. If you are tense, they become tense.
• Do not force interaction. Let the pet approach on their own terms.

In the Weeks That Follow

The adjustment takes time. Some pets settle within days; others take months.

• Maintain your pet's routine as much as possible — consistent feeding times, regular walks, predictable play.
• Give your pet individual attention every day, even a few minutes. This prevents jealousy and keeps the bond intact.
• Watch for signs of stress in your pet: hiding, changes in eating or drinking, excessive grooming (cats), destructive behaviour (dogs).
• Never leave a baby or toddler alone with a pet, regardless of how well-trusted the animal is.

Keeping Records During Transition

If your pet shows any behavioural changes during the transition, note them with dates. Changes in appetite, sleep, or behaviour that persist beyond the first few weeks are worth discussing with your vet.