How to Introduce Pets to Your New Baby

Bringing your newborn home is one of the most joyful and exciting times for new parents. For pet-owners, however, it can involve a lot more stress. Not knowing what to expect from your dog or cat with a newborn in the house can be a scary thought. While some pets adjust easily, others become very anxious when their usual environment suddenly involves new smells, sounds and a new, tiny stranger. Thankfully, there are steps and precautions you can take to make this transition smoother. It is essential that you prepare in advance to keep everyone safe and happy. In this guide, we’ll teach parents a few tips on how to introduce pets to a new baby.

Is It Safe to Have Pets Around Babies?

Although every pet is different, it is important to remember that, at the end of the day, they are still an animal. Animals are unpredictable and can become hostile when they feel threatened or unsafe for any reason. For this reason, it is imperative that you never leave your pet alone with your baby – at least for the first few years of life. While introducing pets to a new baby the right way will help build a more immediate sense of trust and understanding, remember that caution is always key toward the beginning.

Introducing Your Dog or Cat to Baby

Start Preparing Before Baby Arrives

Introducing pets to a new baby means more than just allowing your pet to see and get used to your bundle of joy. The first and most important thing you should do as a pet-owner once you find out you’re pregnant is run medical tests on your cat or dog. Certain parasites can be harmful to humans and even cause birth abnormalities. Once your pet has been tested, it is also important that they have all of their vaccinations and their nails are properly trimmed. While babies and pets often make a cute pair, it’s important to be aware of how sensitive your newborn is in their first 12 months.

When learning how to introduce pets to a new baby, a few other steps begin before bringing your little one home for the first time. Proper obedience training will also be a big help once your baby comes home. Training them for simple commands or teaching them not to jump on others, for example, will protect your baby (and yourself) while you’re pregnant.

Let Your Pet Adjust to The New Environment

Babies and pets will make the best of friends when they’re both introduced properly. Before you even bring your baby home, you should give your pet plenty of time to adjust to their new environment. Whether you are adding new baby furniture, or creating a nursery in your home, do it as early as possible and in small stages to avoid any stress from your pet.

This is also a great time to teach your pet which areas will be off limits to them once the baby comes home. Using barriers for dogs and babies can help establish the proper boundary for your furry friend; moreover, using spray deterrents for cats and babies will teach your feline friend to avoid certain parts of the house, or your little one altogether at first. Moreover, if your pet is used to following you around everywhere, gradually practice keeping them separated.

Create Bonding Experiences

One way to help foster a loving relationship between babies and pets is by creating positive bonding experiences. One easy way you can do this is by making mealtime bonding time by having your baby and pet eat at the same time. Whether you’re feeding your baby a bottle made with the Baby Brezza Formula Pro Advanced or feeding them solid food made with our One Step Baby Food Maker for the first time, these memories are sure to have a lasting impact.

Another great opportunity for bonding and introducing pets to a new baby is naptime! Both babies and pets love to take long naps during the day, and they can do this together as long as they are being supervised at all times.

Teach Baby to Be Gentle With Pets

When learning how to introduce pets to a new baby, safety and reassurance should always remain a priority. Safety goes both ways when it comes to babies and pets. The best way to teach your baby how to interact with pets is through modeling, encouraging, and reinforcing positive behaviors. Always teach your young one to respect every animal. Teach them not to chase and not touch pets when they are eating or when they simply do not want to be touched. If your pet does enjoy the occasional belly rub, it is also important to teach gentleness.

Introducing a new baby to your pet can be daunting. And while those videos on social media of babies cuddling with their pets are adorable – they are not always realistic. However, if you follow these recommendations, the transition from strangers to best friends will be a lot smoother for both your pet and your baby.