“Introducing a new baby to your family pet can be a beautiful thing — the bond that can develop between children and their pets is priceless if it is built on safe practices, mutual respect and love. Pet Meets Baby is a great resource I recommend to my clients, to make sure they know what to expect and how best to minimize the risks associated with introducing new family members— whether they have four legs or two.”

– Victoria Stilwell, national ambassador for
American Humane Association and star, “It’s Me or the Dog!”

When you have a pet and you are bringing home a new child, via birth, adoption or fostering, there are a lot of factors to consider. The sooner you begin preparing your pet, the better your chances of success will be once the baby or child arrives.

You are already preparing your home, scheduling appointments and shopping for supplies—but keep in mind that it is also very important to prepare your pet. You may be able to wait until the last minute for some things, like selecting a color for the nursery or even deciding on the baby’s name, but you shouldn’t wait until the last minute to get your pet ready. Chances are, your pet needs time to adjust. And the longer you wait, the harder it will be for everyone. If you start right away, your chances of a smooth transition and safer interactions are much improved.

While this booklet primarily applies to dogs and cats, it also contains information about birds, fish, rabbits, rodents and reptiles. If you have any concerns about the behavior of your pet—whatever type of animal it is—be sure to contact a qualified professional as early as possible.

And remember, no matter how much you trust your pet, NEVER leave ANY baby or child unattended with ANY pet!

The material in this booklet is provided for general information only. Use this information at your own discretion. Any reliance on any information in this booklet is solely at your own risk. You are responsible and liable for the actions of your pets and children. The informa-tion set forth herein is not considered veterinary, medical, or other professional advice and is not intended to replace consultation with qualified professionals. We have done our best to make sure all internet addresses referenced herein were active when we published this booklet; however, American Humane Association has no control over, assumes no liability for, and cannot ensure the quality or accuracy of information on non-American Humane Association internet sites.

Contents

PREPARE AHEAD………………………………………………………………9

Modify attention and interactions
Desensitizing to the sound, sight and smell of the new arrival
Relocating your pet’s living quarters
Dogs in beds and on furniture
Relocating litter boxes
Appropriate knowledge of your pet’s species
Mental and physical exercise
Asking for help

ENSURE APPROPRIATE BEHAVIOR……………………………………. 19

Evaluate and train appropriate manners
Never punish warnings
Signs that your pet is stressed
What your pet is saying

THE BIG DAY……………………………………………………. 27

Pet meets new baby or toddler
Dog meets older child
Other pets meet older child
Visitor traffic

RAISING KIDS AROUND PETS…………………………………….. 31

Supervision
Appropriate interactions
Baby- and child-free zone

HEALTH AND DISEASE CONCERNS……………………………… 35

Dogs and toxocariasis
Reptiles and salmonella
Rodents and LCMV
Allergies
Gardening and sandboxes

Prepare Ahead

Modify attention and interactions

Despite your best intentions, when a baby or child arrives, your relationship with your pet will change. Chances are, your pet was your first “baby”—but soon a new person will arrive who requires your full attention.

Perhaps the most difficult change for pets is the decrease in physical and verbal contact. You may unconsciously pat your dog as you pass in the hallway, or talk to your cat while preparing dinner. But when the new member of your family arrives, your arms will be occupied more frequently, and you will spend more time talking to the baby or child. The result will be a decrease in unconscious attention to your pet. The attention is what your pet may miss the most, while you may not even be aware that anything changed.

Over the next few months, pay attention to how much “absent-minded” attention you give your pet, and make a conscious effort to gradually decrease it.

Also, try to implement your potential new schedule changes as early as possible, such as changes in your work and sleep schedules. At the same time, set aside regular productive quality interactions with your pet. The goal is to reduce the quantity of time and increase the quality of time. For example, do you think your pet would rather have a total of 30 minutes of random petting as you pass by, or 15 minutes of direct, one-on-one play time? If you do this slowly, your pet won’t even realize what happened, and if you do this before the baby or child arrives, no association between the baby or child and the change will be made.

Your pet will probably be excited that it is suddenly getting all of this quality attention, when in fact, it is getting less quantity.

Additionally, as the baby or child’s arrival approaches, you will find yourself becoming busier and busier, and also more nervous or excited. Your pet can pick up on the changes in your activities and emotions, and you may begin to see your pet’s behavior change. Because of this, do your best to make any changes in your pet’s life as gradual and insignificant as possible. Also, try to be cognizant of how those changes affect your pet, and be on the lookout for behaviors that indicate your pet is stressed. (Refer to the section titled Ensure Appropriate Behavior.)

Desensitizing to the sound, sight and smell of the new arrival

If the arrival of a new baby or child in the home becomes unpleasant for the pet, the pet may directly associate that unpleasantness with the new arrival. You can avoid a negative association by introducing some of the changes before the baby or child arrives. If you see any questionable behavior, this gives you the opportunity to get help right away.

Sound

Begin by playing recordings of baby noises at a very low volume. As long as your pet is calm, non-anxious or curious, praise it as you gradually increase the volume. If your pet becomes anxious or fearful or displays any negative reaction, stop, turn the volume down and keep it at a level at which the pet is relaxed (you may have to try again the next day). Continually praise the pet at the lower volume until the

pet gets used to it, which may take several days or even weeks. Only increase the volume if your pet is relaxed and calm. Try moving the speaker, putting it in the crib or carrying it in your arms to desensitize your pet even more.

Sight

Get a realistic baby doll, preferably one that makes baby noises. Think of this as a “dry run” to evaluate how your pet may react, by holding and treating the doll like a real baby over and over (don’t leave it lying around). Encourage polite and calm investigation and reward your pet for good behavior. Gently correct moderately rough behavior, such as pawing, nibbling, mouthing or jumping, with a gentle “ahh ahh” and by encouraging appropriate behavior. Practice putting the doll in the crib, on the changing table, in the swing, in the car seat, or even take it for a walk in the stroller! Pets may find this new equipment unusual or even scary and, combined with a real baby, they may have a difficult time, so start early.

To desensitize your pet to children, this approach won’t work quite so well with a child-size doll. Instead, try desensitizing your pet by having children you know visit. With dogs, you can try walking past children at a safe distance, such as past a playground, schoolyard or athletic field. Be sure to not allow your dog anywhere near the children. Always treat and praise your dog every time it sees a child, but be sure to avoid rewarding it if it displays any negative reactions, such as fear, aggression or stress. If your pet reacts in any way you find questionable when around children, contact a professional trainer or behaviorist right away.

Smell

Smells are very intriguing to pets. Begin introducing your pet to the smells of the baby by rubbing on the doll the baby products you plan to use and letting the pet gently smell it. The pet may not care, or it may be overly curious.

When the baby is born, have a helper bring the baby’s cap home for the pet to investigate (a receiving blanket works almost as well). Be sure to not use the cap or blanket that is placed on the baby immediately after birth, as it will have blood and other overly stimulating smells. Instead, use an item that was placed on the baby after it was bathed, place it on the baby doll, and introduce it to your pet in a calm, controlled manner. Never let the pet take the doll or the item in its mouth — treat it like the real thing. If you are adopting or fostering a child, do your best to obtain a piece of clothing from the child. Let the pet smell it to its heart’s content, while you praise and encourage appropriate interactions.

If you begin desensitizing your pet early, you can address potential problems, help your pet gradually adjust and alleviate some of your own concerns. If your pet displays any behavior that concerns you, be sure to contact a professional
trainer or behaviorist right away. Do not ignore it — this is your opportunity to address it while you still can.

Relocating your pet’s living quarters

Many people keep crates, dishes or caged pets in a spare room, soon to be the nursery or child’s room. If you have to relocate your pet to make room for the new addition to your family, put serious thought into where and how you will
move the pet — and begin early.

For example, when moving a bird cage, avoid locations near windows and outside doors, which often are too drafty and can make birds sick. When moving a fish tank, avoid locations near windows, where temperatures fluctuate too much and
sunlight can cause an overgrowth of algae. Also, many pets, such as birds and rabbits, become extremely stressed in response to changes in their housing. If you have a pet that is sensitive to stress, make changes slowly or contact someone who specializes in your pet’s species for advice.

Many families wait too long and, when their pet doesn’t adapt, end up having to find it a new home or put it outside when the baby or child arrives. Keep in mind that domestic animals are not suited to living outside year-round in most climates. Also, dogs, cats and rabbits are social species that do not thrive in isolation. Please consider the physical and emotional health of your pet when making a transition.

Dogs in beds and on furniture

Being allowed on furniture and beds puts a dog at eye level with a baby or child, who the dog may perceive as a threat or as competition for resources: Some dogs see beds and furniture as property and become possessive of it. If your pet is
possessive of anything, be sure to seek help from a professional. Further, having a pet at eye level with a baby or child increases the chance of a bad experience— even a happy dog innocently jumping up may accidentally injure an infant.

Your best bet is to keep dogs off all beds and furniture, before the baby or child arrives. There will be nights when you bring your baby or child into bed with you, or you are changing the baby on the couch, or your toddler is eating a snack in the recliner. These are all situations in which an untrained dog may jump up and could accidentally cause injury. Do not expect an untrained dog to know it should not jump up on the bed when there is a baby lying there. Instead of waiting until after the baby or child arrives, prevent any potential for the dog to have negative associations with the baby or child by banning the dog from beds and furniture well in advance of the new arrival. By the time the baby or child arrives, you have eliminated potential danger and have a better-behaved dog. If you have difficulty implementing this, be sure to contact a professional.

Relocating litter boxes

If you have a cat or a rabbit that is litter-trained and you decide to move a litter box, be sure to begin moving it gradually, far in advance of the new arrival. Simply relocating the litter box days before the baby or child arrives may result in “surprises” on your carpet or couch. Instead, move the litter box no more than one foot per day, closer and closer to its final destination. While this may be an inconvenience in the interim, it will eliminate larger(and messier) inconveniences later on.

Here are some other tips that can help:

• Do not place litter boxes near noisy appliances,such as washers or refrigerators.
• Be sure to have one litter box on each level of multi-level homes, especially for elderly pets.
• Be sure to scoop every day and wash litter boxes once per week with a mild dish detergent (pregnant women should have someone else scoop the boxes —see the section on Health and Disease Concerns).
• Avoid deodorizers in or around litter boxes—these products may smell nice to you, but they are often a deterrent to pets.
• Avoid plastic liners, changing brands of litter and scented litter.

Appropriate knowledge of your pet’s species

Whether you have a dog, a rabbit, a snake or an iguana, make sure that you research how to properly care for your species of pet. Excellent resources can be found through the internet, libraries, special interest groups or by speaking to a veterinarian who specializes in the particular species. Many pets have very specific needs that you may be unaware of, as information changes over time. Also, commercial pet products may not be the best choice. For example, did you know that cedar chips are dangerous for all small animals and wood chips of any kind are dangerous for most small pets? Did you also know that many commercial foods are nutritionally imbalanced and some commercial treats are unhealthy for pets? We recommend that you research information about what your pet needs, as many species have different requirements. By searching reliable sources of information on the internet, speaking to a veterinarian who specializes in small animals or exotic pets,

or contacting species-specific rescue organizations or your local animal shelter, you should be able to locate great information about the type of habitat, diet and other needs of your species of pet.

Mental and physical exercise

Like people, many pets can become bored quite easily. As the arrival date approaches, you will likely find you have less and less time to exercise and interact with your pet, and your pet may become confused. Pets that are frustrated, stressed or bored may engage in destructive behaviors (shredding the couch, chewing shoes, self over-grooming, feather plucking, etc.), house soiling, excessive vocalizations and more. Your pet may be trying to communicate to you: “I’m bored” or “I miss you.” Petsitters, dog walkers and doggy daycare are some examples of how you can still provide plenty of exercise for your pet. Enrolling in a training or agility class or joining a flyball or Frisbee group are other fun ideas. If you do not have facilities close by or cannot afford them, try enlisting the help of neighbors, friends or family.

Another great way to entertain your pet is through the use of interactive toys. By putting tasty, healthy treats in toys, you can get your pet to engage in physically and mentally challenging activities. Almost all pets can benefit from interactive toys. For more ideas, see the resources in the “For more information” box. To prevent injury, be sure to always supervise pets while playing with toys.

Asking for help

Some people are alone when they are pregnant or adopting and may need help —with litter box cleaning, cleaning animal cages, and exercising and training pets —before the baby or child arrives. Also, while you are away, picking up the child or during the hospital stay, you may need a petsitter. Finally, right after giving birth, especially in the case of a Caesarean section, many women will need help caring for their pets. If you think you may need help at some point, don’t wait until the last minute. Begin early by enlisting a neighbor, friend, co-worker or family member to help with cleaning, exercise or training duties. You may also be able to hire help for some tasks. Begin far in advance, so your pet can get used to this new person. If you are new to an area, call around and find a reputable and insured petsitter. You can also contact your local humane society or animal shelter for references or suggestions.

For more information:

Never punish warnings

If your pet displays any negative behavior, such as growling, hissing or question- able body language, during any interaction with the baby or child (or the baby doll, when desensitizing the pet), be sure to never punish it. Your pet is letting you (and the baby or child) know it is uncomfortable, and it is communicating in a normal, natural and appropriate manner. Yelling at or correcting the pet will not make it adjust better. In fact, you may be teaching your pet that warning is a bad thing, and next time the pet may skip the warning and go straight to aggression. Warnings are good—they give you time to address the situation. Additionally, just because your pet reacted negatively to the baby or child does not necessarily mean you need to give the pet away; this may be an issue that can be remedied. Contact a professional trainer or behaviorist right away. Never attempt to address aggression or question- able behavior on your own.

Ensure Appropriate Behavior

Evaluate and train appropriate manners

When a baby or child is joining your family, it is important that your pet displays appropriate manners around family members—including other pets, guests and children—and amid distraction. Such behaviors must be in place far in advance of the arrival of the baby or child, so be sure to start early!

Certain behaviors may pose problems when the baby or child finally arrives. If you suspect there may be an area of concern when the child or baby arrives, you must address it as soon as possible, and professional help may be required.
Do not put it off, or the consequences could be serious: Your baby or child could get hurt or you may be forced to give up your pet. By starting the training early, you should have plenty of time to modify undesirable behaviors long before the baby or child arrives.

Below are just a few examples of pet behavior that
require immediate and early attention:

• Any form of aggressive behavior toward family members
• Any form of aggressive behavior toward other animals
• Rude behavior (such as snatching treats or toys, barreling through people, jumping up, door dashing, etc.). Rough play (such as using teeth or claws, grabbing clothing, etc.)
• Lack of training in commands such as sit, down, stay, off, come, etc.

Signs that your pet is stressed

When animals are stressed, they are more likely to feel the need to protect them-selves (“fight or flight” response). Just like if you are having a stressful day, you may snap at someone—it doesn’t mean you are a bad person, it just means you
are stressed. If you believe your pet is feeling stressed, anxious, nervous or fearful, make sure your baby or child is not near it. Also, babies and children should never be around any animal that is in heat, giving birth or with its young.

Give your pet some space and a quiet place. Also, be sure to identify the trigger of the stress, as it may be your baby or child. If this is the case, you should find a qualified behaviorist or trainer right away.

Signs your pet may be stressed:

• Panting or rapid breathing
• Pacing or excessive movement (frantic, escape behavior)
• Freezing or backing away (avoidance behavior)
• Charging forward, batting or snapping
• Dilated, large pupils
• Hunched, tucked-up body posture, silence (trying to become invisible)
• Fluffed fur or feathers, vocalizing, posturing, charging (trying to look intimidating)

Situations likely to cause a pet stress:

• Parties, holidays or other events where people gather with higher-than-normal excitement or activity
• Just prior to or during storms
• During veterinary exams, baths, nail trimming, etc.
• When sick or injured
• When eating or chewing on a bone or toy
• When in heat, giving birth or with its young
• Changes in household routines

More Information:

Finding a Veterinary Behaviorist: www.dacvb.org/resources/find

Finding a Behaviorist or Behavior Consultant:http://animalbehaviorsociety.org

ABSAppliedBehavior/caab-directory or www.iaabc.org,
click on “Find a Consultant”

Finding a trainer: http://www.apdt.com/petowners/ts/

Behavior problem tips:

www.ABRIOnline.org
www.apdt.com, click on “Pet Owners”
www.avsabonline.org

Suggested Reading

Scaredy Dog by Ali Brown (for fear-based dog and human aggression)

Mine! A Practical Guide to Resource Guarding in Dogs by Jean Donaldson

Feeling Outnumbered? How to Manage and Enjoy Your Multi-Dog Household by Karen London

Feisty Fido: Help for the Leash-Aggressive Dog by Patricia McConnell

I’ll Be Home Soon! How to Prevent and Treat Separation Anxiety by Patricia
McConnell

The Cautious Canine: How to Help Dogs Conquer Their Fears by Patricia
McConnell

How to Be the Leader of Your Pack…and Have Your Dog Love You for It
by Patricia McConnell

What is your pet saying?

Animals use “body language” to communicate and to express their emotional state. Understanding what your pet is “saying” can help you respond appropriately to your pet. The following illustrations identify key body language of cats, dogs and rabbits.