In our family, we are currently in the process of preparing our pets for the arrival of our first baby this spring. So, for my last article for a little while, I thought this may be a useful topic to address – whether you are reading this as expectant parents or have relatives or friends whose baby your own pet may be meeting soon.

Welcoming a baby is a wonderful but massive shift to a home, and whilst we humans (usually!) know it is coming, it is an overnight change as far as our pets understand. There are a few things we can do to help ease this transition. After all, your pets have likely been the centre of attention until now!

1. Start getting your pet used to sounds and sights they will be encountering
There are plenty of online resources of baby noises that you can start playing weeks in advance, very quietly to start with, while positively reinforcing calm behaviour with treats or by stroking your pet. You can gradually start playing the noises more frequently and loudly if they are coping well. Set up baby equipment and leave it for your pets to approach or sniff in their own time so they get used to the new things in their environment.

2. Establish boundaries
If there are areas of your home – for example, upstairs, the nursery or the sofa – that you no longer want your pet to have access to once the baby comes, start training them now. Fitting baby gates and increasing fun time spent in your pet’s own space, such as their crate or a particular room, will help them not to feel suddenly ‘locked out’. You could even try carrying around a rolled-up blanket like you would a baby, and training your pet that they get rewarded if they don’t jump up when you are doing this.

3. Adapt their exercise
With dogs, practise going for walks with them on the lead alongside your pram before there is a baby inside it. It may also be useful to get them acclimatised to new routines if they are used to being walked at certain times.

4. Baby steps for baby introductions
Introduce your baby when your pet is in a calm state only, and remember never to leave them unattended together.