Before a newborn arrives in the family, every pet had all the attention in the world, and once the baby comes this situation partly changes. That's why new parents wonder what to do with their pet – whether to give it away or keep it. Don't worry, your dog or cat should stay your loyal companion, since they're usually well-behaved and always know their place in the family.
Whether your pet will feel out of place, neglected, and unfriendly once the new center of family attention arrives depends entirely on you and how you behave toward it and toward the baby. If the family habits and routines the pet used to share with everyone don't change too drastically, and if you introduce the baby and the animal to each other properly, there's no reason to worry. In some cases your dog or cat may urinate on the crib, the stroller, or wherever the baby spends a lot of time. This shouldn't be read as jealousy or bad manners – it's the pet showing its fear of the baby by covering its scent with its own. So don't scold the dog or cat; instead, give it access to the crib, clothes, and blankets.
If you're still worried about the new situation, these tips will help you get past that fear. It's well known that dogs remember people and their surroundings by scent. So it's a good idea to let your pet sniff the baby's things, such as a worn onesie, hat, rompers, or cloth diaper. Do this only when the dog is calm and wagging its tail. When you bring the item to its nose, be sure to praise the dog gently and in a quiet voice, so it develops positive feelings toward the baby. Repeat this a few times, then move on to a more concrete situation. Time for nose-to-nose contact: once the dog starts recognizing the scent of the baby's clothes and you're sure it reacts positively to it, it's time for a direct introduction. In this case it's best for the mother to hold the baby while the father brings the dog on a short leash up to the child. Then, in a calm tone, say: "This is our baby, she loves you." If the dog behaves well, let it sniff the baby. However, if you notice any aggression from the dog, or if the baby starts crying, stop the introduction and try again another time.
A kind word opens iron doors: once the first introduction goes well and both the pet and the baby lose their tension, you won't need the leash anymore. Still, as a precaution, for at least the first few months don't leave the dog alone with the baby. For the first few months it's a good idea to talk sweetly to your pet and say the newborn's name several times so the dog learns to react positively to the child's name. You should also keep a close eye on the dog's behavior. If the baby starts crying because of sudden barking, pick her up and comfort her, explaining that it's completely normal and that "that's just how the dog talks." Once both the baby and the pet let go of their fear, they'll likely become best friends one day – but until then, we repeat: don't let your pet feel neglected because of the new family member.