21 September 2025
Having a fur baby ourselves, we understand the anxiety and endless thoughts of bringing a newborn home: How will they react? What do we need to do to prepare? Will they still feel loved? Through this blog we aim unpack those questions, give you our own experiences, share resources and hopefully help you navigate through another hurdle for this exciting journey.
As there are many misconceptions about having a pet being close to a newborn, especially licking them, we were told many contradicting facts but after discussing with many mid-wives and nurses, it seems that the general consensus and studies show that being exposed to animals from birth aids newborns build an even greater immune system.
First things first
Always supervise your pet around the baby — even if they’re super sweet and well-trained. Never leave them alone together, no matter what.
For dogs:
Take it slow. Dogs don’t fully understand how gentle they need to be, so go at their pace. Stay calm and relaxed when they meet — your dog picks up on your energy.
If you feel confident your pup won’t jump or get too excited, let them sniff the baby while you’re holding them. It helps to have someone else there too, just in case you need backup.
For cats:
Cats are usually more chill (or honestly, just less interested 😂). Let them sniff the baby while you're holding them, and keep an eye on their body language — signs like a twitching tail or ears back could mean they’re annoyed or overstimulated.
Also, close the nursery door when you're not around. Cats love cozy spots and might try to curl up in the bassinet!
If your pet starts feeling left out
Try easing into giving them a bit more alone time during your pregnancy so it’s not a sudden shift when baby comes. And reward calm, independent behaviour — like chilling quietly on a mat or in their crate.
Overall, just be patient. Everyone’s adjusting — including the furry ones
Before the baby is born
- Try booking a session with a pet trainer to chat about how to prep your animal for the baby — they can give you some super helpful tips.
- Start walking your dog on a leash with the pram to get them used to it. Just make sure not to tie the leash to the pram, even if they’re usually calm.
- Set up baby gates or barriers now so your dog (or cat!) gets used to which areas will be off-limits. Flyscreen doors can work great for cats if you want to block off certain rooms.
- Let your dog explore baby stuff — the cot, pram, change table, etc. Let them sniff and check things out while you’re supervising so it’s not all new when baby arrives.
After the baby is born
- Don’t rush the intro. Let your dog or cat approach the baby in their own time. They’ll probably be nervous or unsure at first — totally normal! Give them praise, gentle pats, and have some treats handy to reward calm behaviour.
- You can start by letting them sniff something with baby’s scent on it before you bring the baby home from the hospital — like a worn onesie or blanket.
- When they do meet, keep your dog on a leash and unwrap the baby’s feet so your dog can sniff them gently. That helps them connect the scent with the baby in a safe, calm way.