Preparing Your Dog (and Cat) for Baby: A Journey of Love and Adjustment

Expecting a baby is a thrilling chapter in life—one filled with joy, anticipation, and yes, a bit of nervousness too. But what happens when you’re not just preparing yourself and your partner, but also your beloved pets? Whether you’re a dog person, a cat person, or both, bringing a new baby into the mix can be a big adjustment for your furry family members. But don’t worry—there’s plenty you can do to ensure that the transition is smooth for everyone!

Did you know? Studies show that a significant number of pet owners worry about their pets’ reaction to a new baby. But with some simple, thoughtful steps, you can ease your dog’s (or cat’s) anxiety and help them feel safe and loved as they adjust to their new role in the family.

In this post, I’m sharing some tips and tricks I’ve gathered for preparing your pets for baby. From starting early to the all-important first meeting with the baby, let’s dive into what you can do to ensure that both your pets and your baby feel safe, secure, and loved.

“The love of a pet is a great teacher in unconditional love.”
– Unknown

Adorable newborn and purebred dog lying on bed

Start Early: The First Few Months of Preparation

The key to a smooth transition for your pet is preparation—and that doesn’t happen overnight! Ideally, you should start making changes at least a few months before your due date. The earlier you begin, the more confident both you and your pet will feel when baby arrives.

1. Introduce New Experiences Gradually

In the months leading up to the baby’s arrival, it’s essential to help your dog get used to the sights, sounds, and smells of the new world they’ll be living in. Think about it: Babies make a lot of strange noises (think crying, cooing, and even loud toys). They also come with new things like baby bottles, strollers, and highchairs, and it can be a bit jarring for your dog if they’re not prepared.

Tip: Start by introducing your dog to baby-related items like toys, a stroller, or a car seat. Let your dog sniff them, explore, and associate them with rewards. You can also play recordings of baby noises to get them used to the sound. The more positive experiences your dog has with these items, the less they’ll feel intimidated when they see them in the real world.

2. Begin Adjusting Their Routine

The arrival of a baby will likely mean a shift in your dog’s daily schedule. Begin this transition a couple of months ahead of time by gradually changing feeding times, walk schedules, and even playtime. This way, your dog won’t feel like everything’s been turned upside down the moment the baby comes home. If you plan to start napping when your baby naps, for example, try taking occasional afternoon naps now. This will help your dog adjust to a new rhythm without too much confusion.

3. Teaching Special Skills

Dogs are naturally curious, and while that’s a great trait, it’s also important that they know when to give space, especially around the baby. Here are a couple of skills to teach in advance:

Hand Targeting: If your dog is a little nervous about the baby, teaching her to target your hand with her nose can be a helpful tool. Not only does it give her something to do when feeling uneasy, but you can even teach her to gently touch the baby with her nose once she gets the hang of it!
Go Away: Teaching your dog to move away when asked is crucial for managing interactions between her and the baby. If your baby starts crawling and your dog feels uncomfortable, this command can help her move to a more comfortable distance. To teach this, simply say “Go away” and toss a treat a few feet away. Over time, your dog will learn to walk away when asked, which reduces the chance of a stressed-out interaction.

One Month Before Baby Arrives: Get Serious About the Changes

As your baby’s due date draws closer, it’s time to get serious about the final preparations. Now is the time to solidify the changes and set boundaries so everyone knows what to expect.

1. Set Up Boundaries

If you plan on limiting where your dog can go once the baby arrives (like the bed or certain rooms), start setting those boundaries now. For instance, if your dog usually sleeps in your bed but you plan on having the baby in there, make a change to her sleeping arrangements in advance. Give your dog a comfy bed or crate in a designated area, and start transitioning her to that spot. This will make it easier when the time comes to implement these changes for real.

2. Hire a Dog Walker or Daycare

Once the baby arrives, you may not have as much time to devote to your dog’s exercise needs. Consider hiring a dog walker to help with daily walks or looking into doggy daycare to give your pup a chance to burn off energy while you focus on the baby. The time to research and set this up is now. Some dogs can also benefit from socializing with other dogs, and it’ll give your dog a new routine to get used to before the baby arrives.

3. Decrease Attention to Prevent Jealousy

As tempting as it is to spoil your dog with extra attention before the baby arrives, resist the urge to lavish them with attention. This could set your dog up for disappointment once the baby takes the spotlight. Instead, gradually reduce the amount of attention you give your dog, keeping interactions short and sweet. Randomly schedule these sessions, so your dog doesn’t expect attention at any particular time.

The Big Day: Bringing Baby Home

The day you bring your baby home is monumental, not just for you but for your pets too. You’ll want to make sure everyone stays calm and relaxed.

Stay Calm: Your dog will pick up on your emotions, so try to remain calm and confident when you bring the baby through the door. Speak in a soft, cheerful voice to your dog, and have someone else distract her with treats or toys. This helps her associate the baby with good things, like tasty treats and praise, instead of any anxiety or nervousness.
Let Your Dog Meet the Baby Slowly: Initially, keep the baby in a carrier or crib, and let your dog sniff around from a safe distance. Keep interactions calm, and never force your dog to approach the baby if she seems uneasy. Over time, you can allow closer contact, always with supervision.
Encourage Positive Interactions: Once your baby is old enough to move around, teach them to handle your dog gently. Babies are naturally curious, so you’ll want to prepare your dog for some grabbing and poking. You can help by gently poking your dog during training sessions and rewarding her for staying calm. This way, your dog will associate rough touches with rewards, which helps her tolerate the inevitable baby interactions.

“Children and dogs are as good as each other, and both will take over your heart completely.”
– Unknown

Our Journey of Preparing Our Dogs for Baby

I don’t have a cat, so I can’t speak from personal experience about prepping a feline for a new baby. But when it came to preparing our two labradoodles—one medium-sized and the other still a young pup when we found out we were expecting—I was all in. My boyfriend has allergies, which made our choice of dog breeds even more important, and I was determined to make sure they adjusted well to the big change.

The very first thing we did was transition them off the bed. This was partly because we needed to get better sleep (let’s face it, it’s hard to rest with two dogs sprawled out or kicking us in the middle of the night!) and also because I knew that as my pregnancy progressed, I’d need all the comfort I could get. Plus, I wanted to create a space that would eventually be baby-friendly, and that meant establishing new boundaries early on.

We also started taking them to doggie daycare more often. Not only did this help them get used to being away from us (and prevent them from feeling left out when the baby arrived), but I also felt a little guilty about kicking them off the bed. Daycare was a great way to keep them socialized and engaged.

Once our baby shower was done, I washed all the baby clothes in the same detergent I planned to use for the baby. I wanted the dogs to start getting familiar with the scent so it wouldn’t be such a shock later. After that, when the nursery was decorated and ready, we let them explore the room and get accustomed to the new smells. But we kept them out of the room once they’d sniffed around—this was their way of starting to get used to the boundaries.

While our approach was a blend of practicality and love, the goal was to make sure the transition was as smooth as possible. And in hindsight, these little steps made all the difference in helping our dogs adjust when baby finally arrived!

“The family is one of nature’s masterpieces.”
– George Santayana

This post may contain affiliate links. When you buy through links or my site, I may receive a commission at no additional cost to you. Also, the information on this site is NOT intended to be medical advice. Please seek professional medical care if needed. See disclosures for more information.

Practical Tips for Daily Life

While it’s all about the big changes, daily life will require some adjustments too. Here are some practical tips to keep your household running smoothly:

Exercise Needs
- Maintain regular exercise routines
- Consider dog walking services
- Use interactive toys for mental stimulation
- Schedule playtime during baby’s naps
Attention Management
- Give short bursts of focused attention
- Include pets in daily activities when possible
- Reward calm behavior around the baby
- Create special pet-only time
Health and Safety
- Keep pet supplies away from baby’s reach
- Maintain regular vet check-ups
- Update vaccinations before baby arrives
- Keep pet grooming routines consistent
Environmental Enrichment
- Provide new toys and activities
- Create engaging spaces away from baby areas
- Use food puzzles for mental stimulation
- Maintain scratching posts and play areas

Final Thoughts

As you prepare for the arrival of your baby, remember that it’s normal for both your dog and cat to have some adjustment issues. It’s a big change for everyone, and there will be bumps along the way. But with patience, consistency, and lots of love, your pets will learn to adjust to the new routine.

Just like you’ll need time to adjust to your new role as a parent, your pets will need time to adjust to their new role in the family too. And just like your little one will grow, so will your pets, as they learn to navigate life with a baby in the house.

Preparing Your Dog (and Cat) for Baby: A Journey of Love and Adjustment

“The love of a pet is a great teacher in unconditional love.”
– Unknown