A new baby brings new smells, sounds, equipment, visitors and routines that a pet must adapt to. Dogs Trust and Cats Protection, two UK animal charities, both say that early preparation and constant supervision are the foundations of a smooth start. This guide summarises their advice for dogs and cats in UK households. It is general welfare information, not a substitute for a vet or qualified behaviourist.
Why a new baby can unsettle a dog
Dogs Trust explains that dogs tend to like routine because they feel confident knowing what to expect and when. A new baby can mean less attention, shorter walks, longer periods alone and restricted access to some rooms, alongside unusual sounds, unfamiliar smells and more visitors. Unless a dog has been prepared, the charity says, it may feel very unsettled, so it advises starting early and going at the dog’s pace.
Preparing a dog during pregnancy
Dogs Trust suggests several steps in the months before the birth:
- Baby equipment. Gradually place items such as baby gyms, highchairs, mobiles, playpens, prams and toys around the house. The dog should be free to sniff each item, with treats or a game whenever something new appears.
- Baby sounds. Play audio clips of baby noises at a very low volume while the dog is doing something it enjoys, and raise it over weeks only while the dog stays relaxed. If the dog seems worried, go down a volume level next time.
- Baby smells. Unwashed baby clothes or blankets borrowed from friends with babies can be introduced gradually and paired with something the dog enjoys.
- Routine changes. Introduce likely changes, such as shorter walks or a closed-off future nursery, long before the due date.
- Settle and gate training. Teaching a dog to relax behind a baby gate, or in a crate it already enjoys, gives it a comfortable place to be when visitors arrive.
- Practice with a doll. Carrying and talking to a lifelike doll lets the dog see the new behaviour, and rewarding it for keeping all four paws on the floor helps with jumping up.
Preparing a cat
Cats Protection says cats love routine and that the best approach is to be proactive. A new baby brings new smells, sounds and equipment, which can overwhelm a cat used to a calm, quiet home. Its suggestions include plenty of hiding places and a quiet retreat, extra scratching posts and cat trees because scratching and climbing can help a cat feel secure, and time set aside each day for the cat.
The charity advises deciding early which room will be the nursery and teaching the cat that it is off limits so being shut out is not a sudden shock, and discouraging the cat from using the cot as a bed even before the baby arrives.
Bringing the baby home to a dog
Dogs Trust advises that a dog may be very excited to see its owner after a few days away, so it helps if someone else holds the baby while the dog is greeted. Owners may introduce the dog straight away or wait a day or two. The charity suggests holding the baby while standing and watching for a calm, relaxed dog. The dog can sniff if it wants to but should not be forced, and a helper may keep it on a loose lead. Most dogs sniff for a few seconds and lose interest, and the dog should then be praised and rewarded. If it looks uncomfortable at any point, the introduction should be stopped calmly. The charity also recommends a den area away from the household bustle, so the dog can choose whether to join the family.
Bringing the baby home to a cat
Cats Protection suggests greeting the cat alone for a quiet moment on arriving home, introducing cat and baby in a neutral space rather than where the cat eats or sleeps, and letting a curious cat sniff without forcing any contact. A cat that wants to leave or hide should be allowed to. Calm behaviour should be praised and rewarded, and routines kept as normal as possible.
Supervision comes first
Both charities are clear on supervision. Dogs Trust says a dog and a baby should never be left alone together, because babies make sudden noises and movements that can frighten a dog, and a baby should never be placed on the floor beside a dog. It adds that owners should plan for when the baby starts crawling, so the dog can walk away to its own space. Cats Protection likewise says a newborn is vulnerable, so cats and babies should always be supervised, and that interactions need particular care once a baby begins crawling.
The site’s own guides on children and dogs, dog body language and cat body language cover the signs that a pet is uncomfortable.
If a pet’s behaviour changes
Cats Protection notes that a new baby can lead to behaviour changes in some cats, such as excessive vocalisation, toileting problems or aggression. It advises speaking to a vet to rule out medical reasons and then seeking a referral to a qualified cat behaviourist. Cats Protection says cats and babies can live together in harmony.
Frequently asked questions
Should a cat be kept out of the nursery?
Cats Protection describes this as good practice with a newborn and suggests teaching it early.
Is a calm, friendly dog safe to leave with a baby?
No. Dogs Trust advises that even a relaxed, generally friendly dog may find the period worrying, and that a dog and baby should never be left alone together.
The bottom line
Preparation, gradual change and close supervision are the common threads in the advice from Dogs Trust and Cats Protection. Introducing equipment, sounds and smells slowly, keeping the pet’s routine as steady as possible, giving it somewhere quiet to retreat and never leaving a pet alone with a baby give most households the best chance of a calm start.