Pets and Newborns

Newborn baby with mom and pet dog

How to Get Your Pet Acclimated to Your New Addition

You never know how your pet will react to a new baby in your home. Some animals don't even seem to notice the new addition to the family while others regard the introduction of a small, crying creature as a threat or annoyance. Fortunately, taking a few steps before your baby arrives can make the transition much easier for your pets.

Start Slowly

Your dog or cat will be bewildered if the household routine changes abruptly one day. Make changes slowly and gradually to help your furry friend adjust. For example, if you fill food and water bowls at precisely 6:15 every morning, vary your usual routine. With the unpredictable sleep schedule of a newborn, it may no longer be possible to follow your current schedule every day.

You may also want to gradually decrease the amount of one-on-one time you spend with your pet. No matter how much you love your pet, you'll definitely have less free time once your baby arrives.

Although you certainly don't want to ignore your pet, it's a good idea to prepare him or her by reducing play sessions by a few minutes every day for several weeks. The ASPCA recommends offering play sessions randomly to accustom your pet to the variable schedule you'll soon be following.

Curb Undesirable Behaviors

Are you worried that your dog will jump on you while you're carrying your newborn or that your cat will want to sleep in the bassinet or crib? Whether you enroll you and your dog in obedience classes or handle training yourself, it's important to teach your pet a few commands, such as sit, stay, sit-stay, down, and leave it.

As soon as you set up the crib in your baby's room, your cat may claim it as the ideal napping spot. Discourage the behavior by covering the mattress with aluminum foil or double-sided tape, or add a crib tent to the top of the crib. The mesh tent zippers open for easy access to your infant. When it's closed, your cat can't jump into the crib. (A crib tent will also prevent your baby from climbing out of the crib when he or she gets a little older.)

If you don't want to buy a crib tent, you may want to keep the bedroom door closed constantly or install a screen door in the doorway. A screen door allows you to see and hear the baby but prevents the cat from entering the room.

Although cats won't suck the breath from your baby, despite the old wives' tale, it's not a good idea to let them sleep with infants. Newborns can't turn their heads and can suffocate if the cat sleeps next to their noses or mouths.

Try a Little Role Playing

Buy a doll and carry it around with you a few weeks before your baby arrives to help your pet gradually adjust to the new infant-centered routines in your home. As you walk or sit with the doll, practice the sit, stay and down commands with your dog. Don't ignore your pet completely while you're holding the doll but don't pay quite as much attention to him or her as usual. You may also want to play a recording of common baby sounds while you hold the doll.

New babies mean new smells. Apply a little baby lotion and powder to your doll or your skin so that your pet will be used to the new odors before your baby arrives. If your baby is born in a hospital, you may want to bring home a piece of clothing with the newborn's scent before your little one comes home. Your newborn won't seem quite so strange if his or her scent is familiar.

Control the Introduction

Choose a quiet room for the introduction. It's a good idea to put a leash on medium or large dogs or a harness on cats and smaller dogs since you don't know how your pet will respond to the new family member. If your pet seems frightened or becomes aggressive, another person can quickly remove your dog or cat from the room.

Allow the pet to sniff the baby while you're holding him or her. Offering treats during the introduction may help your pet decide that having a baby in the house might not be such a bad thing. Once the baby is napping or being cared for by another family member, be sure to spend a little quality time with your pet.

Sources:

ASPCA: Cats and Babies

https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/cat-care/cats-and-babies

ASPCA: Dogs and Babies

https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/dog-care/dogs-and-babies

Parents: How a Baby Changes Your Pet’s Life: Frequently Asked Questions

https://www.parents.com/parenting/pets/babies/how-baby-changes-pets-life/

Location

Find us on the map

Office Hours

We are CLOSED all MAJOR HOLIDAYS

Monday:

7:30 am-6:00 pm

Tuesday:

7:30 am-6:00 pm

Wednesday:

7:30 am-6:00 pm

Thursday:

7:30 am-6:00 pm

Friday:

7:30 am-6:00 pm

Saturday:

Closed

Sunday:

Closed

Testimonial

  • "We bring both our girls Ava and Nellie. Our latest visit was due to a limping issue after a visit to a dog park with Nellie (Greyhound and Healer mix). Staff was very kind and gentle with Nellie who is timid with strangers. In the end Nellie thanked both the vet and tech by licking their hands. Great team go see this vet office."
    Joy M.
  • "Dr. Sutton and the loving staff at Union Animal Hospital are amazing! They've taken wonderful care of my dog's since they were puppies. We've added 2 more dog's to our pack, a rescue and a re-home, after my Springer passed this spring. Dr. Sutton and here staff are so good with dog's they don't even mind going for their visits. Thanks Doc!"
    Mike P.
  • "Every visit has been wonderful. I feel like they pay attention to every detail and always ask if we have any more questions. I feel safe leaving my dogs in their care."
    Lisa S.
  • "Union Animal Hospital is the best place! The first time visit was great even during the Pandemic, the techs are wonderful and friendly. Best of all is that they are definitely affordable compared to the rest of the clinics in Spokane."
    Lori J.
  • "The most caring and compassionate animal hospital and veterinary clinic I've found in Spokane. Everyone is so nice and they are outstanding with my 11 year old Pomeranian. I've been searching for a while to find a new Veterinary clinic to take my Pomeranian. I'm so happy to have finally found a place with such caring people whom I can trust to care for my dog and give me all the information I need. They even gave me a print out estimate for everything. They are a bit more expensive than some other places I've researched but with the quality of care they give in my opinion it's well worth the few extra dollars. Thank you guys for treating us so well."
    Amber M.
  • "Our fist time having a pet emergency and Union Animal Hospital took us in right away and helped our Fur baby get better again. We won't go anywhere else, good prices and amazing staff, this is the spot if you care and love your animals take them here to be treated with the utmost respect and quality. LOTS IF LOVE TO YOU GUYS FOR BEING THERE FOR OUR FAMILY"
    Elizabeth R.
  • "Had a great first experience! Dr Sutton was great!"
    Debra R.