The Truth About Pets & Babies

New motherhood is an exciting time, full of joy and optimism. And few things are more precious than the bond that can develop between your child and pet. To ensure the newest addition to your family and the furriest member

of your family enjoy a happy and healthy life together, it is important to distinguish between myths and facts.

Myth or Fact:

Raising children with pets can help your child’s development of non-verbal

communication skills, compassion, and empathy.

Fact!

A positive pet experience is very beneficial to children. Taking care of a

pet can help children develop social skills, as well as

build self-esteem and self-confidence.1 Pets can improve

children’s physical health too - studies show children

exposed to pets during the first year of life have a lower

frequency of allergic rhinitis at 7–9 years of age and of

asthma at 12–13 years.2

Myth or Fact:

Pregnant women shouldn’t own cats.

Myth!

As an expectant mother, you can own a cat – just delegate the chore of

cleaning the litter box to someone else. Fecal matter should be scooped at

least twice a day. Toxoplasmosis is a parasitic infection that cats can carry

and spread to humans through contact with their feces.3

Myth or Fact:

Cats steal a baby’s breath.

Myth!

While there’s no truth to this, do not allow your cat to sleep in

your baby’s crib or room. If a cat snuggles close to a baby’s

face, it can make it difficult for a baby to breathe simply

because the cat’s fur and body are in the way.3

Myth or Fact:th or Fact:

If your pet was your first “baby”, you will have to find

it a new home before your human baby arrives.

Myth!

Introducing your new baby into a home is a major

change for everyone, including your pet. But giving

up your pet is not necessary.4

Information provided by: Bayer Health Animal Division