If you have pets, you know what a big part of the family they are. I spoke with Anne Wetzel, a former veterinary technician with over a decade of experience, to ask her some of the most common questions new parents have when preparing to bring their fur baby’s human sibling home.

What pets are best suited for families with babies? Are there any pets that don’t do particularly well with young children?

I think that many most dogs typically can and will do particularly well with babies and children. Always supervise your pet with your baby, at all times. Never leave your pet unattended with your child. There are definitely a few more fragile pets, like your small animals (hamsters, gerbils, and guinea pigs) that should be especially monitored and handled only while under adult supervision and by a child who understands proper pet handling. Birds are another pet that are wonderful to look at, but should be monitored closely. Small fingers should be kept away, as they could also be easily mistaken for a treat.

What are your top three tips for preparing pets for the arrival of a baby?

1. Assemble furniture and baby gear ahead of time to allow pets to sniff and explore if it is in a common area of the home. This will allow them to acclimate to small changes over time.
2. If possible, gate off baby’s room. Your pet will be able to see the room without entering, which is particularly helpful if you wish to keep pet hair out of the room. If you have cats, a tip to keep them off of baby-related surfaces, such as a crib or a changing table, is to place a layer of tin foil in the areas you do not want your cat on. The feeling and the noise the foil makes is a deterrent. Generally after a few times of hopping onto the surface they no longer want to attempt to explore the area.
3. Before arriving home, allow your pet to explore an article of clothing or a blanket that has your child’s scent.

What practices should we avoid when introducing our pets to our new baby?

Avoid allowing your pet to do anything differently than they were not allowed to do before baby was born. For example, I would not recommend allowing your pet onto the bed/sofa, especially to explore the new baby. Standing up or crouching down and allowing your pet to sniff baby’s feet is the best way to gradually introduce your pet to your baby.

Another time to be cautious is also when your child begins to crawl, walk, or climb. It is important to teach your children gentle touch from an early age. A trick that I have taught my sons from a very young age is to always allow a pet to sniff your hand first, followed by a gentle pat. This is a great behavior for anyone when greeting pets in public. Upon mom, dad, or caregiver asking the pet owner if their child can say hello, always  instruct your child to let the animal sniff them for a moment before starting to pet them.

What are common misconceptions about introducing pets and babies?

A common misconception is that your pet will show signs of resentment such as urinating or defecating in the house or on the baby’s belongings. While this isn’t unheard of, it’s not a common occurrence or an automatic behavior. While it does take pets some time to accept the change and the new family member, most pets will generally come around very quickly.