Is it a bad idea to get a puppy when pregnant? A Comprehensive Guide

The backstory on getting my puppy while pregnant

I had seen the advertisement in the paper a few weeks earlier … “I’ll just drive over and have a look,” I said to myself. “If there is one thing wrong with the place, the people or the dogs I won’t get one.” Famous last words. A week later we came home with Roscoe.

My overwhelming desire to have a dog blinded me from all the reasons why I shouldn’t get one. Namely, being pregnant. “A baby and a puppy, are you crazy?!” was the response I got from several people. How would I manage a yapping puppy and a crying baby? How would I walk the dog and the buggy? How would I stop it from chewing the baby?

These questions bounced off me as if I was encased in an invisible happy bubble. “I. Don’t. Care.” And that’s really the overriding factor to getting a puppy while pregnant. You don’t care, because you are so focused on the puppy, totally high on re-directed maternal hormones, that you don’t even think about the baby. Which brings me to this:

On the plus side, she says she was forced to walk with her dogs three times a day, which was great for her health, and today, neither of her kids have allergies or a fear of dogs. Plus her pets made great companions during the long months of pregnancy. “My Yorkie used to lie on my bump while I was sitting or sleeping, and I know my baby must have felt the love,” she tells Romper in an email. On the negative side, caring for her new companions was exhausting — and bad morning sickness prevented her from enjoying her dogs puppyhood to the fullest.

Adopting any pet is a huge commitment, and dogs in particular require lots of attention from you, their favorite human. In general, Im all for pet adoption when you have the budget, space, and time — after all, theres nothing better than coming home to a furry bundle of unconditional love. But should you adopt a dog when youre pregnant? As exciting as it sounds, and as loving as you feel, youll want to consider all the pros and cons — not just for your sake, but for Fluffys, too.

Yes, Marrs admits that caring for a new animal during pregnancy is difficult, but she offers an interesting suggestion: putting friends on standby in case you need help. “When it comes to adopting a dog while pregnant, make sure you have a solid understanding of a dogs history and background,” Marrs adds. “Youll definitely want a dog that has shown a history of getting along with kids — you might want to consider opting for a breed that is known for playing nice with children.” Keep in mind, however, that there are no guarantees when it comes to animals. Even with the best preparation, its still a gamble.

Unfortunately, the cons are pretty serious. Pregnant women dont have boundless energy, except maybe in the weird Twilight Zone of the second trimester. And especially in the beginning, an adopted dog needs a lot from you. For Kayla Fratt, an Associate Certified Dog Behavior Consultant of Journey Training, who also works at an animal shelter, introducing a canine friend into the family when youre expecting is always a gamble. “Dogs need lots of exercise, enrichment, and attention. If youre feeling under the weather due to pregnancy, this will be more of a strain than support,” Fratt writes in an email to Romper.

Especially when youre pregnant, you should think carefully about how a new dog fits into your life. Are you willing to train a new dog while youre potentially nauseous and fatigued? When your baby arrives, will you have time to properly care for him? And have you considered what youll do if your new best friend doesnt behave well around your baby? While a dog can be an incredible companion during pregnancy and new motherhood, theres also nothing wrong with choosing to wait to add a pet to your family.

If you have a cat, avoid cleaning the litter box while you’re pregnant. Cats can carry a protozoal parasite called a toxoplasma in their feces, and it can be transmitted from mothers to unborn babies.

We talked to several dog trainers and pet experts in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, and all agreed it’s important to prepare your pet for this big life change well in advance. Having a baby will affect everyone in the house, human and animal alike!

Decide in advance whether you’ll allow your dog into the nursery, and start practicing how you want it to interact with the room. Even if you decide to let your dog into the baby’s room, create a way you can control its access. Baby and dog should never, ever be together unsupervised.

Ms. Dek of Canine Advanced Training Services implores parents to start this training as early into pregnancy as possible. “Don’t wait until you’re eight months along and think that your dog will be fluent with these exercises with just a few weeks of practice,” she warns.

Mr. Sheaffer of USA Dog Behavior recommends adopting a new schedule during pregnancy “to desensitize the dog to it.” He suggests getting up and going to bed at different times and having more random meal times. Ms. Dek echoes this idea, saying it’s important to “get into a routine that you think you’ll be able to stick with when the baby arrives.” If you think you’ll start walking your dog at a certain time every day, for example, start that now and bring along the stroller.

Getting a new puppy while Pregnant gone wrong but worth it.

The first “child” for many couples is a dog or cat. So what do you do when you’re getting ready to welcome your first human child to the family?

We talked to several dog trainers and pet experts in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, and all agreed it’s important to prepare your pet for this big life change well in advance. Having a baby will affect everyone in the house, human and animal alike!

By taking gradual preparatory steps, you can make this a less stressful time for your pet – and it will ultimately make the transition easier for you and safer for your baby.

Many thanks to Wendy Dek, owner of Canine Advanced Training Services; Kellie Snider, Animal Behavior Programs Manager at the SPCA of Texas; Scott Sheaffer, owner of USA Dog Behavior LLC; Mark Minnerly, owner of The Dallas Dog Trainer; and Erin Tate, D.V.M., Medical Committee Chair at City Vet, for their help!

Dr. Tate at City Vet talked to us about any health risks pregnant women should worry about around their pets.

She emphasized the importance of making sure all your pets are up to date on their vaccinations and medications to guard against heartworms, fleas, and intestinal parasites before the baby is born. Some parasites can be transmitted to babies, children, and even adults.

If you have a cat, avoid cleaning the litter box while you’re pregnant. Cats can carry a protozoal parasite called a toxoplasma in their feces, and it can be transmitted from mothers to unborn babies.

If your dog never went through obedience training, or did but still has trouble following simple commands, now is the time to fix that. Bad habits that don’t bother you much now could become frustrating and even dangerous with a baby in the picture.

All the pet experts we heard from agreed dogs need to be able to sit, stay, and go to their crate (or bed, or mat) on command. Obedience training can also help overcome other habits like jumping and excessive barking.

Ms. Dek of Canine Advanced Training Services implores parents to start this training as early into pregnancy as possible. “Don’t wait until you’re eight months along and think that your dog will be fluent with these exercises with just a few weeks of practice,” she warns.

Cats can – and should – be trained as well, says the SPCA’s Ms. Snider. To make sure cat and baby always interact safely, teach your cat basic commands such as going to its mat or bed on cue.

Decide in advance whether you’ll allow your dog into the nursery, and start practicing how you want it to interact with the room. Even if you decide to let your dog into the baby’s room, create a way you can control its access. Baby and dog should never, ever be together unsupervised.

You can control your dog’s access to the nursery by training it to come in only when you invite it (for highly obedient dogs) or by using baby gates that will keep it out except when you want it in the room with you.

You can teach your dog to respect these boundaries using a reward system. “Always make it a positive thing for your dog to be away from you in these situations,” Ms. Dek advises. “Walk back to the doorway occasionally and give the dog a treat.”