Please schedule an

appointment with your 

veterinarian to discuss any 

questions or concerns!

Steps for Introducing Infants and Pets 

 Your Veterinary Treatment Facility can help!

Pet Behavior

http://phc.amedd.army.mil

1-800-222-9698

APHC Animal Health

This information brochure was written by Army 

Veterinary Services personnel and published by the 

Army Public Health Center to inform and educate 

Service members, beneficiaries, and retirees about 

Animal Health. Comments or questions regarding 

content can be directed to ARMY-VSPublications@

mail.mil. Locate your local Veterinary Treatment 

Facility at https://phc.amedd.army.mil/topics/

animed/vtfo/Pages/Veterinary-Treatment-FacilityInteractive-Map.aspx.

Approved for public release, 

distribution unlimited. 

TA-371-0418

Behavioral Consultation

If your pet has an existing behavioral problem 

or shows anxiety or aggression-related behavior, 

please consult your veterinarian or a veterinary 

behaviorist to ensure these issues are appropriately 

addressed as soon as possible. 

As Baby Grows

Teach your child to be careful around pets, how to 

appropriately interact, and how to recognize signs 

of fear, anxiety, stress, and aggression in different 

pet species. 

Do not allow children to grab, pull, or crawl on your 

pet, and never allow children to interact with a pet 

while the pet is eating or has toys/treats. 

Children mimic adult behavior, so be a model for 

appropriate interaction; and do not use physical 

punishment or force with your pet.

DOGS CATS POCKET BIRDS PETS RABBITS HORSES REPTILES /

AMPHIBIANS

Army Public Health Center Animal Health

 Infants & Pets

making introductions
on furniture or who may take baby items (pacifiers, 

bottles, toys) will benefit from learning an “off” cue 

or a “drop it/leave it” cue prior to the baby coming 

home. These two behaviors can help teach your 

pet to leave the baby’s things alone and can help 

your cat or dog learn to control his/ her impulses in 

many situations. Some examples of new rules for 

the pet, like staying off the furniture and restrictions 

on access to the nursery, crating or car seat, should 

be gradually enforced prior to the baby’s arrival

Bringing Baby Home

Most pets become excited when an owner comes 

home, especially if one of the owners has been 

away for a few days. If possible, have someone 

exercise the pet (i.e., go for a walk or play outside) 

prior to arriving home with the baby, to decrease 

some of that excitement energy.

Have another person hold the baby so that you 

can greet your pet. You can also allow the pet to 

smell a clothing item or blanket that the baby has 

worn. Once the initial excitement has subsided, 

introduce your pet(s) to the baby, one-by-one. 

Using a leash or halter may be beneficial to limit 

any inappropriate or aggressive responses. Watch 

your pet’s behavior carefully to note any signs of 

aggressive or unacceptable behavior (e.g. jumping 

up, pawing at the baby). 

Pets are an important part of the household, 

and do not need to be ostracized or re-homed 

when having a new baby. However, injury and 

bite-prevention is extremely important, and 

parents should understand the body postures 

and communication cues for each species of pet 

in the home in order to recognize signs of fear, 

discomfort, stress, and aggression.

If the pet shows any aggressive behavior, they 

should be segregated to a separate area; and you 

should contact your veterinarian for a behavioral 

consultation.

Monitoring Interactions

Baby sounds and movements can be intriguing as 

well as startling or scary to a pet, and the reaction 

of a pet and baby are not always predictable. 

Therefore, direct adult supervision should be 

maintained at all times. Your pet should not have 

to be excluded from areas where the baby will be; 

however, any access should be strictly managed to 

prevent any unsafe interactions. Pets should not 

be allowed to sleep in a room with an unattended 

infant or child.

If your pet is calm and comfortable around 

the baby, gradual supervised interactions 

are appropriate. Pair the interactions with 

reinforcement (praise, treats) so the pet associates 

those interactions positively. 

Steps for Introducing Infants 

and Pets 

Planning Ahead

Talk to your veterinarian during the pregnancy 

period to discuss your particular situation and 

create a plan to acclimate your pet(s) to the 

upcoming family addition. Any change in schedule 

or environment can cause your pet stress. Making 

gradual changes in the schedule and environment 

during pregnancy can help when the new baby 

arrives and additional changes need to occur. For 

example, set up baby gates and allow your pet to 

get used to limited access to certain areas of the 

home. Other examples include getting the pet 

used to baby furniture, product odors, and sounds.

Although things will change with the arrival of your 

new baby, you can minimize your pet’s stress by 

gradually getting him/her used to these changes 

in advance. Plan and practice the changes to your 

routines prior to the baby’s arrival, such as changes 

to when you walk your pet or adding naps to the 

daily routine. Consideration may be given to pet 

daycare or hiring a pet-sitter to prepare your pet for 

the times when you cannot walk or play with them.

Teaching Important Skills

Each pet may react differently to a new baby, 

regardless of age, size, or species. Ensuring your 

pet has been appropriately exposed to a variety 

of people and situations when they are young 

is essential to development and their ability to 

acclimate to change. However, older pets do 

still have the ability to acclimate to a new baby. 

Creating a positive association with the baby 

and encouraging calm behavior is critical to the 

perception the pet will develop about the baby.

Teaching foundation behaviors (sit, stay, come, 

etc.) will also help in mitigating interactions or 

preventing problems between your pet and baby. 

Having good verbal control of your dog can really 

help when it comes to juggling his/her needs and 

the baby’s care. Ensure your pet knows how to 

sit and stay reliably, and even teaching a cue for a 

pet to go to their kennel/bed may be useful. For 

nuisance behaviors, such as jumping up or pawing, 

teach the pet an alternate behavior for situations 

when those responses occur. Pets who are allowed 

Teaching foundation 

behaviors (sit, stay, 

come, etc.) will also 

help in mitigating 

interactions or 

preventing problems 

between your pet and 

baby.