If you’re a pet lover, you’ll likely agree that giving your dog a big belly rub or having a cuddle with your soft-furred cat is one of the loveliest parts of the day. These wonderful creatures, that mean so much to us, are truly members of the family. But when an infant is introduced to the home, is there a chance your friendly, furry friend might put them in danger?

Do things need to change? Do I need to introduce new boundaries to keep my baby safe? Do I need to give my pet away? Or can pets have a beneficial influence on my child’s development?

First of all, let’s clarify that pets can absolutely have beneficial effects on children, so don’t worry, you very likely won’t have to get rid of your fluffy friend.

So what are the benefits of having a pet at home?

It’s not really possible to overstate how beneficial it is for kids to grow up with pets. Developing positive feelings towards pets helps to contribute to a child’s self-esteem and confidence. A good relationship between a child and the family pet will also help your little ones to develop their nonverbal communication, empathy and compassion and aid in the building of trusting relationships with others.

On top of all this, being around pets has several health advantages, mostly in preventing obesity and a lot of allergy-related maladies. And best of all, animals help to improve our overall happiness and wellbeing.

But with so many benefits to pets in the home, why are some people so cautious?

Why do some parents and experts argue that pets aren’t a baby’s best friend?

For some, the thought process is simply that even the most loving pet can be unpredictable. And when your baby is lying on the sofa or spread eagle on the floor, there’s a chance a pet could accidentally step on them and scratch them with their paw.

Now of course, while these worries aren’t completely unreasonable, if you’re careful, there’s very little chance of your pet hurting your baby.

So how can I be careful and make sure my baby is safe around my pet?

How do I keep a pet and a baby safe in the same home?

Use your common sense to pick a safe pet. Now, should a pet of yours show aggression towards children, or if they despise being touched by little hands, then you might have to consider finding them a home they’ll be happier in. Similarly, don’t get a pet that has a history of being unpredictable.

Be cautious and alert. Most dogs and cats seem to show a sixth sense when it comes to babies and children, recognising that they’re not as gentle as adults, so put up with the many tugs and hard pats (they really are amazing, aren’t they?!). But even patient dogs and cats might not react all too happily when a small hand repeatedly pulls on their tail, or when an excited doggy rushes inside to greet you, jumping up on your lap, they might not notice the baby lying beside you. So just make sure to keep an eye out when the baby and your pet are interacting. Once they’re introduced, you’ll get a very good sense of how careful you need to be.

Take precautions in regards to litter trays and pet-related items. One thing that’s very easy to forget is protecting your baby from any pet-related items that might cause them harm or simply make a mess. Cat poo can be quite lethal to human eyes, and we don’t imagine you’ll want your baby to drink from the dog’s water or put their hands in the cat food. So think about placing these items in areas safe from a crawling and curious baby.

Consider the timing. If you want to get a pet, know that they can be quite a handful. For example, taking care of a baby and a puppy at the same time will be quite tiring. So consider timings if you decide to introduce a new friend to the family.

Don’t feel you have to get a pet. By no means feel that you now have to introduce a pet to your family. If you don’t really like pets or feel that an animal in the house simply won’t work for you and your family, that’s absolutely okay!

How can I keep my baby safe around pets?