Your pet may exhibit behavior changes and react unpredictably to the arrival of a new baby. 

• Allow your pet to investigate the new baby's room before the child arrives.
• If the dog will be restricted from the baby's room, practice leaving the dog outside the gate at random times, especially when a parent is inside the room.
• Anticipate changes to the pet's routine and schedule. Your dog may exhibit new behaviors, such as chewing or barking as a result of fewer walks. Your cat may urinate outside the litter box because the box is cleaned less frequently. Consider your pet's reactions to physical restrictions around the house, such as baby gates.
• After the baby is born, but still in the hospital, bring home blankets or diapers carrying the baby's scent. An audiotape of the baby's cries may also help prepare the dog or cat for the baby's arrival.
• Anticipate the baby's arrival by placing a leash on the dog and greeting the parent and baby outdoors, where the dog may feel less anxiety. With one adult holding the leash and another adult holding the baby, the dog may be allowed to sniff the baby's feet.
• Never leave a baby alone with a pet. Gradually and calmly introduce your newborn to your pet. Cautiously observe your pet's response to the new baby. After the first two or three weeks your pet will grow accustomed to the new baby and may even ignore him or her. 

Pets and Toddlers

Parents of one-and two-year olds should teach their toddlers safe behavior when playing with pets.

• Infants and young children should never be left alone with a dog.
• Monitor all interactions between your toddler and pet.
• If the child is playing rough (pulling the dog's ear), distract the child with another activity and tell that child "We don't pull the dog's ear."
• Young children may enjoy walking the dog outdoors with an adult.
• Young children can fill the dog's water bowl.
• Keep your pet's food dish out of reach from a child under three years old. The ingredients are not harmful, but the child could choke on the pet's food. Don't buy round gumball-shaped kitty treats that a child could choke on.
• Keep all pet medicines, especially heartworm medication, locked up and out of reach of children.
• When playing fetch, the adult should pick up the ball and hand it to the child, who can then throw it.
• Keep gerbils, hamsters, fish, water turtles, and frogs out of reach of your baby or toddler. Your child could hurt the animal or put the animal in his or her mouth.
• Place a tight-fitting screen on top of the fish tank.
• Keep small cat toys, seed sticks for birds, hamster pellets, and charcoal for the fish tank out of reach of small children.  

Teach Your Child Safety Rules About Pets

• Teach your child not to put his or her face close to the animal.
• Encourage the child to wait until the pet comes to him or her; the pet may feel threatened if the child approaches the pet first.
• Do not touch any animal without an adult's permission.
• Never approach or try to pet an unfamiliar dog unless the dog's owner tells you it is safe to do so. If the owner says it is safe, let the dog look at you while you stand still for about 30 seconds, then let the dog sniff your closed fist, not an open hand, before you try to pet it.
• Teach your child that a pet is not a toy or plaything. An animal feels pain and needs to be treated gently. Demonstrate how to stroke a pet by putting your hand on top of the child's hand and guiding it, then let the child stroke the pet.
• Teach your child the pet's behavior and habits. When a cat or dog runs away, it wants to be left alone. Do not pet or restrain a dog that is trying to get away from you.
• Teach your child how to recognize the pet's fear or anger that may result in a bite or scratch.
• Never pull a pet's tail or take away a pet's toy or bone.
• Do not hug or kiss dogs that are not your own, even if they appear friendly.
• Never disturb a dog that is eating, chewing a toy, caring for puppies, or sleeping, especially if they are under furniture.
• If you an approached by an unfamiliar dog, stand still and stay quiet. Children should walk, not run, past an unfamiliar dog. If you run or scream, the dog may chase or attack you, interpreting you as prey. Avoid staring directly into the eyes of an unfamiliar dog, which the dog may interpret as a threat or challenge.
• An unsafe or unfriendly dog may be barking wildly, crouching, have fur raised along its spine, and have a stiff tail.
• If you are knocked over by a dog, roll your body up into a ball with your hands over your ears and lie still.
• If you are chased by a dog while walking, jogging, or biking stop, turn toward the dog, and say, "No," or "Go home." While facing the dog, back away slowly.
• Do not release caged animals (hamster, guinea pig, lizard, hermit crab, etc.) without adult permission.

NOTE: We do not intend this section to be a substitute for medical advice. Regular communication with a trusted pediatrician is one of the most important ways to safeguard your children's health. However, as more and more parents become concerned about personal health and helping their children avoid many of their bad habits, we have tried to touch on those areas that you might want to explore further with your doctor or medical provider.

 

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