As a parent living in China, I have been exposed to many cultural differences and the occasional piece of bizarre advice. Our family first began to expand with the purchase of our adorable beagle, Kipper. When I fell pregnant with our first child soon afterwards, I was astounded by the numerous calls from passers-by to get rid of my dog. In the UK, having animals and children in the home is incredibly common, so I was perplexed by these views.

Mary Peng from the International Center for Veterinary Services says that “the status quo here for families planning to have a baby is to get rid of their pets. Couples are often co-erced to do so by their doctor and family members, which presents a lot of pressure and stress.”

But pets and children can happily co-exist, as long as the right precautions are taken. “At ICVS, we counsel the whole family on how to keep the home safe. We test animals for toxoplasmosis, a common concern for pregnant women, and recommend having pets tested for hookworms and roundworms, as these can be passed on to children. We also remind families that four-legged friends also need time to adjust to a new family member, and that pet owners should help ease the transition as much as possible.”

On the advice of ICVS, my husband and I rinsed a cloth in our baby’s washing liquid, then placed it in Kipper’s bed to familiarize her with the baby’s scent. We also adopted a new routine that could easily be maintained once our baby arrived. On bringing our son home for the first time, we very carefully allowed Kipper to smell him from a safe distance while petting her.

Still, even the best pets can suffer pangs of jealousy, so never leave your pet and baby together unsupervised. Doro Adam, co-owner of Yugong Yishan knows this all too well. He recalls: “When I was 2 years old, I tried to pet my grandfather's dog—a trusted family pet. Unfortunately, I accidentally poked him in the eye and he reacted by biting my right cheek. I required stitches.”

Animals can be loyal and loving members of the family that do not have to leave once a child arrives. By following some simple guidelines, it is possible for everyone to live in harmony.