DVA    326 Bridge Street   *   Dedham, MA 02026  *  781.326.2800   

When your pets were your first baby:  Insights into making the transition from pet parents to human parents.

You share your bed, mealtimes, and love with them:  How can your pets be considered anything other than family members.  For many, a pet is the first “child” that an individual or committed couple will have.  For those who elect to bring a human life into the world, the adjustment is multifaceted; especially if you and your pets are deeply attached. Here is some helpful information that hopefully will make that transition proceed smoothly.

Is your pet a good citizen?

You have just discovered that you are pregnant, soon to foster, or soon to adopt a child.  The period of preparation, whether it be pregnancy or waiting for an adoption, is an excellent time to baby proof your pet.   The goal of the transition is not to banish your pet once the human offspring has arrived!  Many people sadly banish their pets to the outdoors or give their pets away.  In order to live harmoniously in the family, your pet must be a good citizen!  Basic obedience and manners are paramount for dogs – Dogs should be under control.  Your dog should be able to walk politely on a leash, sit, lie down, and come when called. Additionally, your dog should be able to drop toys at your feet or you should be able to remove objects, such as a baby toy, from your dog’s mouth without getting hurt.    These commands will be useful around baby as common unchecked dog greeting behavior such as jumping up, licking the face, and over exuberant pawing is undesirable.  Cats usually will avoid a new baby by hiding.   Rarely are cats aggressive towards a baby.  Usually they are curious and will approach the baby cautiously.  For cats, it may be helpful to set up a room or portion of the house that is theirs.  This way, they will have a safe refuge in which to retreat. Get your pets’ manners under control now.  Do not wait until the baby has arrived.  This is the time to see a reputable dog trainer, veterinarian if he or she has an interest in behavior, or board certified veterinary behaviorist if you have a challenging behavior problem.

Are your pets healthy?

Another important part of preparing your pets for the arrival of a baby is to ensure that they are in good health.  Dogs and cats can pass parasite infections to humans. Fecal examinations are paramount as the roundworm and hookworm can infect a human via fecal/ oral exposure. Roundworm larvae can migrate to the human eyes – a condition called ocular larval migrans which can cause permanent blindness in children and adults.  Potential infection, for example, could be the dog that licks his anus and then the baby’s face or the cat that hunts, licks his coat, and then the comes into contact with the baby. It is a very good idea to have your dog’s stool examined twice per year.  Additionally, keeping your dog on year round heartworm preventative will greatly decrease the likelihood of GI parasites as some preparations also act to de-worm your dog each month.

For cats, we suggest Revolution once per month to prevent fleas, ticks, roundworms, hookworms, and ear mites in addition to routine de-worming with a broad-spectrum de-wormer twice per year.  Have your pet’s annual or semi-annual senior citizen visit done at least two months before the baby is due to arrive.   Not only will this save you a harried trip with pets and baby later on, but it will also allow you to get any medical problems that your pet may have under control.  As dogs and sometimes cats will lick babies, what is in your pet’s mouth may matter:  Be certain to request a thorough dental examination.  Excess tartar accumulation and periodontal disease results in copious amounts of oral bacteria, which could be potentially harmful to the human neonate having an immature immune system.  Cats are known for their dangerous oral bacteria primarily because their teeth create a deep tissue inoculation of harmful bacteria if they bite.  A cat bite can be very dangerous not only to babies, but for adults as well.

Avoid feeding your dog a BARF (bones and raw food) diet if you have small children in your home.  The bacteria from the raw meat will probably not harm your dog, however, it can colonize the canine GI tract.  Dogs unfortunately will lick their anus and then possibly a child which could potentially could expose your child to harmful strains of E. coli or Shigella bacteria.   There is no evidence to suggest that this type of diet is beneficial for your pet, in fact, most of these diets contain an improper calcium to phosphorous balance, but if you feel strongly about the use of a raw diet, we suggest using only irradiated meat sources. 

Let your pet see the nursery.

Once your baby’s room is decorated and prepared, allow your pet inside to explore.  The smells of the baby products may be new for both you and your pet.  Again, many people banish their pets to the outdoors once the baby has arrived.  If your pet is really a family member, he or she should be able to live indoors with the humans.  Now is the time to allow your pet to become acquainted with the baby’s room. 

Bringing your baby home…

Whether you drive to the hospital at lightning speed or to the adoption agency, your baby is here!  While you are away plan to remove your pets from the house by making boarding arrangements or having a friend keep them.  For “home-body” cats, consider placing them into their special safe refuge mentioned above.  The idea is to bring the baby into the house, get settled, and then have the pets re-enter the home.  It can be threatening for pets if you bring the baby into “their territory.”  This way the baby is already home when they return from being away. While you are at the hospital and the pets are away, bring them a cap that the baby has worn.  Allow them to sniff the cap as it is laden with your baby’s scent. Once you have returned home from the hospital and are feeling up to caring for both two and four legged creatures, allow the pets to return. 

The First Weeks:  Keeping your pets in the family circle.

Dogs are pack animals. They will instinctively attempt to find their place in the pack.  A dog that is a good citizen has been trained to understand that the humans in the house are “alpha” or dominant pack members.  Because your baby is much smaller than you are, your dog may try to challenge the baby’s alpha pack position.  Even the kindest dogs may growl at your baby.  For this reason, it is extremely important to supervise your pets when they are near your baby.  If your dog does growl at the baby, consider re-enforcing the baby’s position in the pack by following this assault with a firm “NO!” then ask your dog to “Down! Stay!”  Once your dog complies, be certain praise him or her. By making your dog obey a series of commands, you are re-enforcing your and the baby’s position of dominance. Highly desirable places to lie down like your couch or bed are considered places of dominance. The alpha dog will lie in the choice location most of the time.  If your baby is in one of these places, your dog may try to crowd him or her off in an attempt to assert dominance.  Make sure that your dog is not allowed to lie with the baby in these places until the new pack order is established.   Your goal is to convey the message to your dog that he or she must be submissive to the baby.  For this reason, avoid allowing your dog to lie on a quilt or under a gymini or other exercise mat that belongs to the baby.

You will find that your patience for your pet dwindles when you are trying to adjust to a new baby in your family.  Your pet may seek affection at all of the wrong times.  Rest assured that this is perfectly normal – your love for your pets will return as you become more comfortable with caring for your child.  Remember not to banish your pets to their crates or to the outdoors for prolonged periods of time.  A distraction toy is an excellent way for both the pets and the people to be happy while everyone adjusts to the new normal.  We recommend making  a “dog popsicle.”  To make this, you will need a Kong toy (www.kongcompany.com) which is sold at the grocery store.  Stuff your Kong with ripe banana and some dog kibbles and place it in the freezer.  You may want to have several of these and prepare/ freeze them all at once.  For picky dogs, you may try peanut butter or easy cheese in a Kong.  This toy will keep your needy dog occupied while you care for your baby.  Cats may enjoy fresh catnip or a new catnip toy.  At the end of the day or during a nap for the baby, set aside time to spend solely with your dog or cat.  It is especially important that your pet receive this individual attention, and you may find that it soothes your nerves as well. 

Regular exercise is very important for people as well as pets.  Many dogs are easily trained to heel next to a baby carriage.  You should practice this at first with no baby present so that you can become adept at maneuvering.  Remember, never to tie your dog’s leash to the stroller!  For dogs that pull excessively, experiment with  humane no-pull collars such as The Gentle Leader/ Promise or Halti brands. Walking your dog every day will help him or her get rid of excess energy and relieve the stress of the new home situation.

New Baby Dangers to Pets

            Baby products, toys, and diapers can be harmful to pets.  One dog owned by one of our doctors ingested 3 pacifiers in 3 days.  This was a potential foreign body risk!  To curb this problem, we suggest sacrificing a pacifier to the dog which is laden with Bitter Apple Spray.  Casually place the bitter apple impregnated pacifier in an obvious location and re-enforce with a firm “No!” when your dog approaches it. Always follow with praise once the dog ignores the pacifier.  Small toys, rattles, bibs laden with food or milk, and bottles can all pose a threat to a dog if ingested.  This is especially true if you know that you own a “Garbage Hound.”  Diapers are especially tempting for any dog.  The filling absorbs water and expands potentially causing a blockage in the intestinal tract.  Keep diapers out of reach and the diaper pail closed.  Keep your baby medicine kit and supplies out of reach of pets.  When caring for a baby, one does not always remember to place lids back on containers. Infant Tylenol is extremely palatable.  To a cat, this is deadly if left open as Tylenol causes deadly anemia in felines.

Dangers to Babies

Pets pose dangers to babies.  Behaviorally, dominance aggression can be harmful or fatal. If you have an aggressive dog or cat, do not take behavior modification into your own hands lest you get hurt!  This is the time to involve a board certified veterinary behaviorist.  Even the kindest dog can become aggressive if provoked.  Babies will pull on tails and ears.  Again, supervise your pets when they are with your children.  Do not allow your children to be around a pet that you do not know.  Also, teach your toddler not to run up to or pet ANY dog without your permission first.

Most pets will be very curious about the baby, possibly growl at him or her, but then adjust well once they understand that the baby is here to stay and is a dominant member of the household.  Dogs ascertain this pack order by observing how you treat the baby in most cases and once established usually will love the baby. Cats may hide for days, but they will eventually adjust given time and their own space in which to retreat.

  Home   |   Feedback   |   Staff   |  Directions & Hours  |  Employment   |   Client Handouts   |   New Facility   |   Specialty Practice