How do I prepare my pet for the arrival of a new baby?

To prepare your pet for a new baby, you should gradually adjust their routine, desensitize them to new sounds and scents, and establish new household boundaries months in advance.

You can review the ASPCA Dogs and Babies Guide or follow these key steps for a smooth transition:

Pre-Arrival Preparation

• Adjust routines gradually by shifting feeding, walking, or play times to match the tighter schedule you will have after the baby arrives.
• Desensitize to sounds by playing recordings of crying babies or mechanical swings at low volumes, slowly raising the sound while giving treats so your pet stays calm.
• Establish boundaries early by teaching your pet to stay off specific furniture or out of the nursery before the baby gear is fully set up.
• Practice commands like "leave it," "go to place," or a solid stay so you can manage your pet easily while holding an infant.
• Introduce new scents by bringing home a blanket or lotion with baby products before the newborn arrives so the smells are familiar.

Watch this expert guide for more fear-free training tips on preparing your dog for a new baby:

1m Before Baby Arrives, Teach Your Dog This 1.1K views  · 9 months ago YouTube · How To Train A Dream Dog

If you let me know what kind of pet you have (dog, cat, etc.) and their current behavior quirks , I can give you more specific training tips.

The best approach is to prepare your pet before the baby arrives, rather than waiting for the first day home. The goal is to make the baby’s sights, sounds, smells, and changes in routine feel familiar and rewarding.

Before the baby arrives

• Start changing routines gradually. If walks, meals, bedtime, or attention will happen at different times once the baby arrives, shift them gradually now. This prevents the baby from becoming associated with a sudden loss of attention.
• Teach useful cues. For dogs, practice sit, stay, leave it, drop it, come, and a cue such as go to your bed or go away. These are particularly useful when you're holding or feeding the baby.
• Introduce baby equipment early. Set up the crib, stroller, swing, changing table, etc., and let your pet investigate them under supervision. Establish any off-limits areas before the baby arrives.
• Practice baby sounds. Play recordings of crying, squealing, and other baby noises at a low volume, pairing them with treats or play. Gradually increase the volume only while your pet remains relaxed.
• Get your pet accustomed to baby smells. Baby lotion or shampoo on your hands and, if available, a blanket or clothing carrying a baby's scent can help make the smells less novel.
• Create a safe retreat. Give your pet a comfortable place where they can get away from household activity and where the baby won't bother them.
• Practice gentle handling—but don't deliberately frighten or hurt your pet. For a dog, you can gradually accustom them to brief, gentle touches around ears, paws and body while rewarding relaxed behavior.

When you bring the baby home

If possible, have someone else handle the initial pet greeting so you can focus on the baby. Give your pet a chance to greet you normally, then introduce the baby calmly.

For a dog, a leash during the first introduction can provide an extra layer of control. Reward calm behavior and allow the dog to investigate at their own pace. Never force an interaction.

For a cat, let them approach voluntarily and provide a quiet escape area. Keep the crib and other baby sleeping spaces inaccessible to the cat, particularly while the baby is sleeping.

Once the baby is home

One particularly useful trick is to make “baby = good things” for your pet. When the baby is awake, crying, being fed, or moving around, occasionally give your pet treats, praise, a chew, or another favorite activity. This helps build a positive association rather than making the pet feel that the baby always means losing your attention.

Most importantly, never leave a baby and pet together unsupervised, even if the pet has always been gentle. As the baby grows into a crawler and toddler, supervision becomes especially important because grabbing, chasing, poking, and unexpected noises can be stressful for animals.

A simple preparation timeline

1–2+ months before: establish new household rules, adjust routines, train important behaviors, and create the pet's retreat.

Several weeks before: introduce baby equipment, smells and sounds; practice carrying a doll or baby-like object if useful.

First days home: calm, controlled introduction; reward relaxed behavior; maintain as much of the pet's normal routine as possible.

First months: continue rewarding calm interactions and give your pet predictable one-on-one time.

If your pet has ever growled, snapped, bitten, lunged at, guarded food/toys, or shown significant fear around children, don't wait for the baby to arrive—get help from a qualified veterinary behaviorist or reward-based behavior professional.

Preparing ahead of time can make the transition much easier for both your pet and your baby. The biggest goals are gradual change, positive associations, and safe boundaries.

Before the baby arrives

• Start changing routines early. If walks, feeding times, sleeping arrangements, or attention will change, transition your pet gradually rather than making all the changes when the baby comes home.
• Teach useful behaviors. For dogs, practice “sit,” “stay,” “leave it,” coming when called, and settling on a mat or bed. Being able to move your dog away from the baby calmly is particularly useful.
• Introduce baby sights and sounds. Let your pet investigate the crib, stroller and other equipment. Play recordings of crying and other baby noises at a low volume, rewarding calm behavior with treats. Gradually increase the volume as your pet becomes comfortable.
• Create pet-only spaces. Give your pet a comfortable retreat where the baby won't bother them. Baby gates can be particularly useful with dogs.
• Establish new boundaries now. If your pet won't be allowed on the bed, in the nursery, or on certain furniture once the baby arrives, make that rule well before the birth.
• Practice divided attention. Spend some time interacting with your pet while carrying a doll, sitting in a nursing chair, or pushing the stroller. Reward calm behavior.
• Arrange backup care. If you'll need a dog walker, pet sitter, daycare, or family member to help, introduce your pet to them before the baby arrives.

When you bring the baby home

For a dog, it's helpful to have someone greet and exercise the dog first so the initial excitement has settled. Then introduce the baby calmly, with another adult handling the dog on a leash. Reward relaxed, gentle behavior rather than scolding or punishing anxious behavior.

For a cat, give them a quiet opportunity to reconnect with you, then allow them to investigate a blanket or clothing carrying the baby's scent.

Never force an interaction. If your pet wants to retreat, let them. And never leave a newborn and pet together unsupervised—even if the pet has always been exceptionally gentle.

Special considerations for cats

Keep the baby's crib and other sleeping spaces inaccessible to the cat. A cat seeking warmth could potentially settle close to a newborn's face and interfere with breathing.

If you're pregnant and have a cat, particularly if the cat goes outdoors, discuss toxoplasmosis precautions with your healthcare provider. The ASPCA recommends avoiding handling cat feces during pregnancy when possible and using appropriate hygiene precautions.

Watch for warning signs

Pay attention to persistent hiding, avoidance, growling, stiff body posture, guarding food or toys, snapping, or other signs of fear or aggression. Don't punish warning signals such as growling. Instead, separate the pet and baby and get help from your veterinarian or a qualified veterinary behavior professional.

A particularly good rule is: the baby should predict good things for the pet—treats, calm attention, walks, play and other rewards. That helps your pet develop a positive association with this enormous change.

Preparing your pet for a new baby is all about making gradual changes so the arrival feels smooth rather than shocking.

Pre-Baby Preparation Steps

• Adjust routines early: Slowly shift feeding, walking, and play times to match the erratic schedule you expect with a newborn, helping your pet adapt to a new normal.
• Desensitize to baby noises: Play recordings of crying babies, cooing, and baby monitor static at low volumes, gradually turning it up while offering treats so they associate the sounds with positive things.
• Introduce baby scents: Wear baby lotion, powder, or shampoo before interacting with your pet so they begin to associate those comforting new smells with positive attention from you.
• Practice with a doll: Carry a doll wrapped in a blanket, use a stroller on walks, and teach your pet that they aren't allowed to jump up or crowd you while you are "holding" it.
• Set up physical boundaries: Install baby gates or designate safe zones (like a cozy crate or a separate room) where your pet can retreat and decompress away from the chaos.
• Update veterinary care: Ensure your pet is up to date on vaccinations, parasite preventatives, and has had a recent checkup to rule out any hidden pain or health issues.

Would you like me to tailor this advice further by telling me:

• What type of pet you have (dog or cat)?
• How your pet typically reacts to new people or sudden noises?

Preparing your pet for a new baby is all about making gradual, positive changes long before the baby arrives. Pets thrive on routine, so easing them into the upcoming shift helps prevent stress and behavioral issues.

Preparation Steps

• Adjust routines early: Gradually shift your pet's feeding times, walk schedules, or attention windows to match the unpredictable schedule you'll have with a newborn.
• Set up baby gear in advance: Bring out the crib, stroller, swing, and changing table weeks early so your pet can sniff, investigate, and get bored of these new objects.
• Play baby sounds: Play recordings of crying, cooing, and baby laughter softly in the background, gradually turning up the volume while pairing it with treats or play so they form a positive association.
• Practice with a doll: Carry a doll wrapped in a blanket, sit in the rocking chair, and practice handling an imaginary baby while teaching your pet to remain calm behind a baby gate or on a designated mat.
• Update veterinary care: Ensure your pet is up to date on vaccinations, parasite preventatives, and has had a recent checkup to rule out any hidden health issues or pain.
• Establish safe spaces: Create cozy, quiet zones (like a crate, a specific room, or a high cat tree) where your pet can retreat when things get overwhelming, and make it a rule that children are never allowed to bother them there.
• Plan the first introduction: When returning from the hospital, have a partner enter the home first to greet the pet and burn off excess energy before bringing the baby in. Let someone else hold the baby initially so you can greet your pet with calm, loving affection first.

If you want to tailor this plan, tell me:

• What kind of pet you have (dog, cat, etc.) and their approximate age or temperament?
• Whether they have any history of anxiety or reactivity around loud noises or new people?

I can give you more specific training techniques or safety guidelines.

Absolutely. The goal is to make the baby’s arrival predictable, gradual, and positive for your pet.

Before the baby arrives

• Start changing routines early. If walks, feeding times, sleeping arrangements, or access to certain rooms will change, introduce those changes gradually rather than immediately after the baby comes home.
• Practice basic manners. For dogs, especially useful cues include sit, stay, leave it, drop it, come, and go away. A reliable “settle on your bed” behavior is particularly helpful while you're feeding or holding the baby.
• Introduce baby sights and sounds. Let your pet investigate things such as the crib, stroller and other baby equipment. Play recordings of crying and other baby noises at a low volume, rewarding calm behavior, and gradually increase the volume as your pet becomes comfortable.
• Get your pet used to baby smells. Baby lotion or shampoo on your hands can help dogs and cats become familiar with new scents while they're doing something pleasant, such as getting treats or affection.
• Reduce attention gradually. Rather than giving your pet lots of extra attention before the birth and then suddenly withdrawing it, establish predictable periods of attention and independent time beforehand.
• Create a safe retreat. Give your pet somewhere comfortable to go where the baby can't bother them. This becomes especially important once the baby starts crawling.
• Address behavior problems now. Fear, guarding, aggression, excessive jumping, or anxiety are much easier to address before the baby arrives. A veterinarian or qualified animal behavior professional can help.
• Schedule a veterinary checkup. Make sure your pet's health and preventive care are up to date before the baby's arrival.

When you bring the baby home

For a dog, ASPCA recommends having someone else greet the dog first, allowing them to settle down, and then introducing the baby while the dog is leashed and calm. Reward relaxed, gentle behavior with treats and praise.

Don't force an interaction. If your pet wants distance, let them have it. The aim is for the pet to learn that the baby predicts good things, rather than punishment or loss of access to their family.

Most important safety rule

Never leave a baby and a pet together unsupervised, even if the pet has always been exceptionally gentle. As the child becomes mobile, supervision and physical separation become even more important because babies and toddlers don't understand an animal's boundaries.

If your dog shows growling, snapping, lunging, guarding, or other aggression toward the baby, separate them immediately and get professional behavioral help rather than punishing the dog. Punishment can increase fear and may suppress warning signals such as growling.

If you tell me whether you have a dog, cat, or another type of pet, I can give you a practical timeline for the weeks leading up to the birth.

Preparing your pet for a new baby requires gradual, positive changes well before the little one arrives. Taking a step-by-step approach helps your pet feel secure rather than stressed.

Step-by-Step Preparation

1. Adjust the Routine Early
   • Feed and walk your pet at irregular times now so they get used to a flexible schedule later.
   • Shift your attention gradually if you currently give them constant, uninterrupted focus all day.
2. Introduce Baby Sounds and Sights
   • Play recordings of a baby crying softly, gradually increasing the volume over a few weeks.
   • Set up baby gear (crib, stroller, swing) around the house early so it becomes boring background furniture rather than a sudden, scary intrusion.
3. Practice with Baby Scents and Dummies
   • Wear lotion or baby powder that you plan to use on the infant so your pet associates the smell with you.
   • Carry a wrapped doll around, treating your pet calmly when they behave well around it.
4. Establish New Boundaries
   • Teach your pet "off" or "go to bed" commands so they know where to go when you are busy holding the baby.
   • Set up baby gates for rooms where you want to keep restricted access.
5. Plan the First Introduction
   • Have someone else hold the baby first so you can greet your pet calmly and give them attention.
   • Keep the initial meeting brief, controlled, and paired with high-value treats.

Would you like me to tailor this for a dog or a cat , or share tips on how to handle the first homecoming day?

Absolutely. The goal is to make the baby's arrival feel like a gradual change rather than a sudden disruption for your pet.

Before the baby arrives

• Get a veterinary checkup. Make sure your pet is healthy and vaccinations and parasite prevention are current. If there are existing behavior concerns—such as growling, snapping, excessive fear, or guarding—address them with your veterinarian or a qualified behavior professional before the baby arrives.
• Introduce new rules early. If your pet won't be allowed in the nursery, on the furniture, or in your bedroom after the baby arrives, establish those boundaries now.
• Gradually change the routine. If walks, feeding, bedtime, or attention will happen at different times, start transitioning your pet beforehand. This prevents the baby from becoming associated with a sudden loss of attention.
• Practice baby noises. Play recordings of crying and other baby sounds quietly, rewarding your pet for remaining calm. Increase the volume gradually rather than suddenly exposing them to loud crying.
• Get them used to baby equipment and smells. Let your pet calmly investigate things like the crib, stroller, swing, diapers and baby-care products. Reward relaxed behavior.
• Teach useful behaviors. For dogs, especially practice sit, stay, leave it, come, off, and settling on a mat or bed. These skills are invaluable when you're holding or feeding the baby.
• Create a retreat. Give your pet a comfortable place—such as a crate, bed, separate room, or cat tree—where they can escape the noise and activity. Make it a positive place, not a punishment area.

When you bring the baby home

If possible, have another adult handle the pet while you concentrate on the baby. Keep the initial meeting calm and controlled, and don't force your pet to approach. If they're relaxed, you can allow brief sniffing and reward calm behavior.

You can also introduce the baby's scent beforehand by allowing your pet to smell a blanket or piece of clothing the baby has worn.

The most important safety rule

Never leave a baby and pet alone together, even if your pet has always been exceptionally gentle. Babies can make unpredictable movements and noises, and even a normally placid animal can react unexpectedly. Use gates, closed doors, crates, or another adult when you can't provide direct supervision.

And remember: don't punish your pet for being nervous around the baby. Calmly create distance and reward relaxed behavior instead. If you see aggression, intense fixation, hiding, persistent anxiety, or other concerning behavior, separate the pet from the baby and contact your veterinarian/behavior professional.

If you tell me whether you have a dog, cat, or another type of pet—and their age/personality—I can give you a more specific preparation plan.

The goal is to make the baby’s arrival feel like a gradual, predictable change rather than a sudden disruption. Most pets can adapt very well with preparation.

Before the baby arrives

• Start changes early. If your pet’s feeding, walking, sleeping, or access to certain rooms will change, introduce those changes gradually rather than after the baby comes home.
• Practice basic manners. For dogs, useful cues include sit, stay, leave it, drop it, and go away. Being able to calmly move your dog away from the baby will be particularly helpful.
• Introduce baby equipment and sounds. Let your pet investigate things such as the stroller, crib, swing, and car seat. For dogs, you can play recordings of baby crying at a very low volume and pair the sounds with treats, gradually increasing the volume only while your dog remains relaxed.
• Make the new rules apply now. If your pet won't be allowed on the bed, in the nursery, or to jump on you while you're holding the baby, establish those boundaries before the baby arrives.
• Create a safe retreat. Give your pet a comfortable place where they can go undisturbed. This becomes especially important once the baby starts crawling and grabbing.
• Don't dramatically increase attention beforehand. It can be tempting to give your pet extra attention before the birth, but gradually teaching them to be comfortable with shorter, scheduled periods of attention can make the transition easier.

When you bring the baby home

For a dog, let them greet the returning adults first and expend some excitement before introducing the baby. Keep the dog leashed during the initial introduction and reward calm behavior. Don't force interaction—allow the dog to approach at their own pace.

Afterward, try to pair the baby's presence with good things: treats, affection, play, or a favorite chew. This helps your pet learn that the baby's presence predicts positive experiences.

The most important safety rule

Never leave a baby and pet together unsupervised, even if your pet has always been gentle. As the baby becomes mobile, make sure your pet has an easy way to retreat from grabbing, crawling, or unexpected movements.

Watch for signs of stress such as hiding, freezing, stiffening, growling, hissing, repeated lip licking, or trying to escape. Give the pet space rather than forcing interaction.

If your dog has ever shown aggression, resource guarding, or significant fear around children, get help from a qualified behavior professional before the baby arrives. ASPCA recommends professional behavioral assistance for aggression rather than punishment, since punishment can make the underlying fear or anxiety worse.

For cats, there are some additional considerations—particularly around litter-box hygiene during pregnancy.

If you tell me what kind of pet you have (dog, cat, etc.) and their age/temperament, I can give you a more specific preparation plan.

Preparing your pet for a new baby takes time and a bit of planning. The goal is to make the baby's eventual arrival feel like a neutral or positive event rather than a disruptive shock.

Step-by-Step Preparation Guide

1. Adjust the schedule early

• Routine Changes : Start shifting your pet's feeding, walking, and play times closer to what your realistic schedule will look like with a newborn.
• Predictability : Pets thrive on predictability, so a gradual transition prevents them from associating the schedule disruption directly with the baby.

1. Desensitize them to baby sounds and smells

• Audio Cues : Play recordings of crying babies, cooing, and baby monitor static softly in the background. Gradually increase the volume over weeks while pairing the sounds with treats or playtime.
• Scents : Introduce baby lotions, powders, and wipes on your hands or a cloth so your pet gets used to how a baby will smell.

1. Set up the nursery and baby gear

• Early Access : Set up the crib, stroller, swing, and changing table well in advance. Let your pet sniff and investigate these items under supervision.
• New Rules : If certain areas (like the nursery or the spot where you plan to nurse) are going to be off-limits, install baby gates now. Do not wait until the baby arrives to enforce these boundaries.

1. Practice with a doll

• Realistic Simulation : Carry a realistic doll wrapped in a blanket, talk to it, and walk around with it. This helps your pet get used to you holding a bulky, fragile "object" in your arms.
• Reward Calmness : Reward your pet with high-value treats when they remain calm and do not jump or whine while you are holding the doll.

1. Refresh obedience training

• Basic Commands : Brush up on reliable cues like "sit," "stay," "leave it," and "go to your place" (mat or bed).
• Impulse Control : Ensuring your pet can calmly disengage when asked will make managing daily interactions much safer and less stressful.

1. Plan the homecoming

• First Introduction : When you return from the hospital, have a partner or family member greet the pet first so they can calm down and burn off initial excitement before you enter with the baby.
• Scent Transfer : Bring home a blanket or cap the baby has used a few hours earlier and let your pet sniff it in a calm, relaxed state.
• Low-Key Entry : Keep the first meeting low-key. Do not force your pet to approach the baby; let them investigate at their own pace while offering quiet praise and treats.

If you want to tailor this further, let me know:

• What type of pet you have (dog or cat) and their approximate age?
• Does your pet have any current behavioral challenges (like anxiety, jumpiness, or protectiveness)?