Pets and a new baby

Most dogs and cats adjust well to a new baby when changes are made gradually and well before the birth. The two rules that matter most are preparation in advance and never leaving a baby or young child alone with a dog.

Before the birth

• A veterinary check ensures that vaccinations, worming and flea treatment are up to date, and that any pain that might make the animal irritable is treated.
• Changes to routine, such as different walking times, a new sleeping place or rooms that will be out of bounds, are introduced weeks ahead, so that the animal does not connect them with the baby.
• The cot, pram and other equipment are set out early. Recordings of a baby crying, played quietly at first, accustom the animal to the sound.
• A dog is taught to settle on its bed, to keep its paws off people and furniture, and to walk calmly beside a pram.
• Stair gates are fitted, and the animal is given a quiet retreat of its own that the child will never be allowed into.
• A cat's feeding place and litter tray are moved, a little at a time, away from where the baby will be.
• Existing behaviour problems, particularly guarding of food or toys, growling or anxiety, are taken to a vet or qualified behaviourist before the baby arrives.

Hygiene in pregnancy

Cat faeces can carry toxoplasmosis, which is dangerous to an unborn baby. NHS advice is that a pregnant woman should have someone else empty the litter tray, or wear disposable gloves and wash her hands afterwards, and that the tray is emptied daily. Gloves are also worn for gardening. There is no need to rehome a cat.

The first meeting

On coming home, the mother greets the dog first without the baby, since the dog will be excited to see her. The introduction is made later, when the dog is calm, with the dog on a lead and a second adult present. The dog is allowed to look and sniff from a short distance and is rewarded for quiet behaviour. It is not forced to approach, and it is not held in place. Cats are left to investigate in their own time.

Living together

• A baby or young child is never left alone with a dog, however gentle the dog has always been. The dog goes with the adult or behind a gate.
• Pets are kept out of the room where the baby sleeps. A cat may be drawn to the warmth of a cot, and a fitted net over a cot or pram keeps it out.
• The animal's walks, play and attention are kept up, with some of the attention given while the baby is present, so that the baby's presence predicts good things.
• Signs of unease in a dog, such as lip-licking, yawning, turning away or moving off, are respected by giving it space; see dog behaviour and body language.
• Hands are washed after handling pets and their food, pets are wormed regularly, and animals are not allowed to lick a baby's face.

Crawling and walking

The risk rises once a child can move about, grab fur and tails, and reach the animal's bed and food bowl. Most dog bites to young children happen at home and involve a dog the child knows. Gates and playpens keep child and animal apart when an adult cannot give full attention, and children are taught from the start to leave an animal alone when it is eating, sleeping or has moved away.

Small pets and reptiles

Cages and tanks are kept out of a small child's reach. Reptiles and amphibians commonly carry salmonella, and public health advice is that children under five should not handle them or the equipment they live in.

When there are problems

Growling, stiffening, hiding, soiling in the house or over-grooming are signs that an animal is not coping. A vet can rule out illness and refer the family to a clinical animal behaviourist. Where the difficulty cannot be resolved, a reputable rescue organisation will help to find the animal another home.