Babies and pets

It is common to have a pet in the UK but some people may be worried about the safety of having a pet around a newborn baby. The article below will offer information and advice about buying pets, introducing pets to new babies and ensuring your baby and pet get along well.

Is it safe to have pets?

In general it is safe to have pets if you have a newborn baby; however, some pets may not be suitable for newborn babies and small children. Certain breeds of dog do not react well to children, but most breeds get along well with children and love the company of a new friend; it is advisable to talk to your vet about different breeds of dog and how they react around children and you can see how your dog reacts to friends’ children and younger family members. It is important to keep an eye on your baby all the time if you have a pet and you should never leave your baby alone with your pet dog; even the most tolerant dog can flip and this could potentially be very dangerous.

Cats usually react well to having a new baby in the house; they don’t tend to make a fuss as they are not as reliant on human attention as dogs. It is important to watch your cat carefully around your baby; cats like to snuggle up in warm places and you may find that your baby’s cot, Moses basket and blankets become their new favourite place; you should never allow your cat to curl up with your baby; keep cats away from your baby’s room and discourage them from sleeping on their blankets. When your baby starts to crawl, you need to keep an eye on the cat flap, as you may find this becomes a new escape route. If your cat is partial to bringing birds and mice into the house, remove these as quickly as possible so that your baby does not come into contact with them.

It is important to check that your pets have been wormed recently and are up to date with their vaccinations; this will help to reduce the risk of your child developing an infection or illness.

Tips for introducing dogs to babies

Cats are not really bothered about new people coming into their home; however, dogs are used to having lots of human attention and aren’t too keen on new people or pets encroaching on their territory, especially if they are going to take the limelight away from them. To ensure the transition goes as smoothly as possible, here are some steps you can follow:

  • If this is your first baby and your dog has no experience of living with a baby or child, you will need to consider whether it is safe to have your dog around; some dogs do not react well to children and this could be dangerous; dogs can flip very suddenly and they can kill in some cases. If you think it may be dangerous to keep your dog, try to find a friend, colleague or relative to take them or take them to a dog’s home.
  • Your dog will probably notice that things around their home are changing but they will not realise what is going on at first; try to get them used to having slightly less attention that usual a few weeks before the baby is due but don’t cut them out altogether.
  • Make sure your dog follows rules which are suitable for living with a new baby and teach them to be gentle, not to jump up and not to nibble as soon as possible; if they usually sleep in a room that your baby will be sleeping in or spending lots of time in, move their bed and get them used to sleeping somewhere else (many people put their dog’s bed in the laundry room or by the back door, for example.
  • Make sure your dog is up to date with their vaccinations
  • When you first bring your baby home try not to forget about your dog; they are used to your love and attention and a sudden change will affect them in a negative way.
  • Try not to overreact if you see your dog smelling the baby’s nappies, blankets and clothes; it is normal for them to be inquisitive and it will help them to get used to the smell of a new baby.

Creating a bond between baby and pet

Introduce your dog to your baby as soon as you bring them home; keep a distance at first and encourage your dog to come closer to the baby after a few days; make sure you keep an eye on your pet at all times and never leave your baby unattended with the dog. Some dogs will be desperate to make friends with the new addition to the family; they may want to smell them and lick them; this is just their way of getting to know them but it may upset the baby and it’s not very hygienic so try to keep a distance between your baby and your dog when the baby is still small.

Make sure your dog feels included in family life; they have been an important part of the family until now and they will undoubtedly notice the difference if you suddenly stop paying them attention; encourage your dog to sit in the same room as the family and walk your dog together.

As your child grows up and starts to move around, you may find that your dog and your baby become partners in crime; dogs and children can create a lot of mess together and be very mischievous. You still need to make sure you keep an eye on your child at all times; even the most docile dogs can snap very suddenly, especially if they are being wound up; children often don’t mean to hurt dogs and tease them but they often do and this can cause the dog to become irritable and angry. Try to teach your child about playing safely with their pet and discourage them from doing things which you know upset or hurt the dog.

Which pets are most suitable for children?

When your child gets older, they may start to pester you for their own pet; unfortunately children don’t realise how much work a pet is and you will most likely end up looking after the pet yourself. Make sure you are willing to take this on before you agree to get a new pet; if they are still very young, persuade them to wait a year or two and then they will be able to look after them themselves.

If you decide you do want to get your child a pet, you may wish to consider getting a fish or a small pet like a guinea pig or rabbit; these animals have a good nature and are not as much work as larger pets; these pets can also live in hutches outside in the garden, which will prevent you from having to deal with even more mess in the house. When they get older and become more responsible, you can consider getting them a cat or dog.

Caring for your newborn:

Mother, Baby and Beyond

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