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A new baby and your dog or cat: how to get ready

Ask your vet about your own pet. This page is general information from the sources below.

Start months early. The ASPCA says to teach your dog basic skills, introduce baby sights, sounds and smells gradually with treats, set new house rules before the birth, and make the first meeting calm, with the dog on a leash. For cats, it says to use the whole pregnancy to prepare, and keep the crib off limits.

Checked October 29, 2026.

By Peabody editors. How we write and check.

Dogs: a timeline (ASPCA)

  1. Months before: teach sit, down, stay, wait at doors, leave it, drop it, and coming when called, plus a "go away" cue so the dog can leave the baby when uncomfortable.
  2. About four months before: introduce baby equipment and smells a little at a time, and play recordings of baby sounds quietly while giving treats.
  3. One to two months before: shift your dog's routine toward the new schedule, and set new rules now: furniture, the bed, four paws on the floor.
  4. The baby's room: keep the door closed or gated, and block the crib.
  5. Coming home: let others go in first. Then, in a quiet room, sit with the baby while a helper brings in the leashed dog. If the dog is relaxed, let it sniff the baby's feet briefly, then reward calm.
  6. Every day: give your dog attention and treats when the baby is there, and feed it when you feed the baby.

The ASPCA says always supervise a dog with children and never force contact. It says to watch for growling, snapping, showing teeth or freezing, especially around food or toys, and not to punish a growl: the growl is a warning that lets you separate the dog and child. If a dog is aggressive or you think it might be, keep the dog and baby apart and get help from an animal behavior expert.

Cats (ASPCA)

  • Start early in the pregnancy. Play recordings of baby sounds, and let the cat sniff a used receiving blanket.
  • At least a month before the birth, cover the crib and changing table with cardboard and double-sided tape, which cats tend to avoid. If the litter box is in the future nursery, move it a few inches a day, months ahead.
  • Hand over feeding and play to the new caregiver one to two months before the birth.
  • Greet your cat calmly in a quiet room when you come home, then let others in.
  • Keep the crib and sleeping areas off limits, and close the nursery door at naps: a newborn can't move its head, and a cat resting on its face could block breathing.

Toddlers and dogs (ASPCA)

Teach the child gentle petting and respect for the dog. Keep older, hurting or elderly dogs apart from crawling or toddling children, and don't assume a friendly dog won't snap when startled or hurt.

Pregnant? Ask about the litter box

The ASPCA says pregnant women should take toxoplasmosis precautions, such as wearing gloves for gardening. The CDC says pregnant women should avoid cleaning the litter box if possible. Ask your doctor.

Sources