Congrats, You’re Having a Baby. Your Pet Has No Idea.
You’re getting ready to bring home a tiny human who takes up space, makes a lot of noise, and contributes absolutely nothing to rent. While you’re busy prepping bassinets and folding onesies, don’t forget about the original baby—the one with four legs and no clue what’s coming.

Even if you swear your pet understands you when you talk (we get it), no amount of heart-to-hearts will fully prep them for their new roommate. But a little planning can go a long way. Here’s how to help your pet adjust in the weeks leading up to the baby’s arrival:

Start shifting their space, slowly

We know you’re itching to build the nursery of your Pinterest dreams, but if it means relocating your pet’s stuff, do it gradually. A sudden bed move across the room? Expect it to reappear in the original spot the next morning. Ease them into the changes so your home still feels like home to them too.

And while babies thrive on chaos (aka no schedule), your pet probably doesn’t. If your dog expects a 6 pm walk, try to keep that going—even if it means strapping on the carrier and bringing baby along for the ride. You can’t plan baby’s sleep stretches, but you can stick to your pet’s routine.

Slowly introduce baby sounds and smells
A new baby not only brings new sounds to your home, but it also brings new smells (some good and some… fragrant). You can mimic these changes early in your home so your pet doesn’t take your baby’s cry as a cue to start barking. Start by playing baby sound playlists in different rooms at different times to get your pets familiar with the real thing. Before walking through the door with your newborn, let your pet sniff something with the baby’s scent. This small step helps ease the introduction and makes the first meeting smoother for everyone.

Patience, praise and reward
This is a great time to go back to basics with your pets. Take time to reinforce the simple obedience commands so that you feel in control when the baby arrives. Remember, this transition isn’t just big for you, it’s big for your pets, too. While they can’t see their new sibling yet, pets can sense the change. Even after your baby arrives, continue to practice patience with your pets. Reinforce good behavior with plenty of treats, belly rubs and rewards. If your pet stays calm when your baby starts to cry, offer treats and love to keep them engaged. With consistency, patience and plenty of positive reinforcement, you and your pet will learn to embrace this new chapter together.