Welcome back to The Breed Files! Bringing home a new baby is a life-changing experience, and for some pet owners, it can also bring unexpected feelings toward the animals they once adored. In this episode, we explore perinatal and postpartum pet aversion. This topic is a rarely discussed but surprisingly common experience that can occur during pregnancy and after childbirth.

We'll discuss what perinatal pet aversion is, why it may happen, the emotional challenges it can create, and how hormones, stress, sleep deprivation, and changing family dynamics all play a role. Most importantly, we'll share practical strategies for managing these feelings while maintaining a safe, healthy environment for both your family and your pets.

Whether you're an expecting parent, a new parent, a veterinary professional, or simply want to better understand the human-animal bond during major life transitions, this episode offers compassionate insight, evidence-based information, and reassurance that you're not alone.

Sources:

• Mughal, Maham K., et al. "Pet Ownership During Pregnancy and Mental Health." *Social Science & Medicine*. Accessed June 6, 2026.
• Fessler, Daniel M. T., et al. "Disgust Sensitivity During Pregnancy and Postpartum." *Scientific Reports* 13 (2023). Accessed June 6, 2026.
• Parents. "Why New Parents Sometimes Resent Their Pets." Accessed June 6, 2026.
• PopSugar. "Why I Started Hating My Dog After Having a Baby." Accessed June 6, 2026.
• Reddit. "Postpartum Pet Aversion." *r/beyondthebump*. Accessed June 6, 2026.
• Wells, Deborah L., et al. "The Relationship Between Companion Animals and Human Health: Current Evidence and Future Directions." *International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health* 18, no. 19 (2021): 10114. Accessed June 6, 2026.