Stream Valley Veterinary Hospital 2009 / The Baby Formula: Pets + New Baby = a Happy Home

The Baby Formula: Pets + New Baby = a Happy Home

by Shannon M. Pecora, M.A.

Stream Valley Veterinary Hospital

Having your first child can be fun and scary for so many different reasons. One of those reasons—that could go either way—is introducing your new baby to pets who may have been in your household for many years already. Stereotypically, the cat may become resentful and aloof. The dog may become jealous and needy. You want your whole family to grow together peacefully and harmoniously, but maybe you can’t be sure if your furry child will connect with your new baby child.

The good news is that you don’t have to go it alone in this situation. Taking the “wait-and-see” approach, without asking for help, may lead to too much uncertainty, and you don’t have to be Cesar Milan to know that our own anxiety can create anxiety in our pets. You want your baby to come home to a calm environment, so you should prepare yourself and your pets for the transition.

There are a few standard techniques, such as bringing home a blanket for your pets to sniff and get used to after the birth but before the homecoming. Also, when Mom walks back into the house from the hospital for the first time, it’s a good idea for someone else to carry in the new baby. This way, dogs and cats can greet Mom with unimpeded excitement without putting the baby in danger of licking tongues or scratching paws. But, if you take nine months to prepare the nursery along with friends, family, and doctors, you can use the same amount of time and support to prepare the family pets, too. Your veterinarian may be able to offer informational handouts, or even a few tips over the phone. You may also request a series of in-office behavioral consultations, particularly if you’ve ever observed fearful, questionable, or aggressive behavior when your pets are around your relatives’ or friends’ children. If your dog has had obedience training, try calling that trainer for advice or special instructional sessions. Just as you build a support network for your new parenthood, you can create a team to help your pets cope and adjust as well.

Growing your family is certainly exciting, but it isn’t always easy. One of my own dogs showed some “mothering instinct” when we brought our new baby home. Whenever our baby boy would cry, she wanted to be in charge of comforting him. She had the best of intentions as she wanted to nuzzle and snuggle with the baby, but my husband and I still needed to let her know that it’s our job to care for him. With each passing day, she got a little better at letting us be the parents, and we knew that we had a few weeks of training ahead of us. But we also knew that, ultimately, patience is the key to our whole household adjusting to having one more loved and cherished family member.