https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sun, 12 Apr 2026 13:03:42 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/has-your-relationship-with-your-pets-changed-since-baby#post-305690 Fri, 21 Sep 2012 16:27:43 +0000 JennyD 305690@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have 2 dogs, a shepherd and a yorkie. The yorkie isn't much of a problem (mostly cuz she's pretty small and not terribly sheddy), but the shepherd . . . she's so squirrelly (always has been) and sheds SO much and is clumsy and has almost stepped on the baby on a few occasions, and has almost knocked over her stroller with her in it, high chair, etc . . . she's become an outside dog during the day. I don't know that I have it in me to find her a new home. I feel like my family would totally judge, and that I assumed responsibility for her, so I should continue to be responsible for her. </p> <p>Sigh.</p> <p>I'm glad I'm not alone. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/has-your-relationship-with-your-pets-changed-since-baby#post-305100 Fri, 21 Sep 2012 11:29:29 +0000 regberadaisy 305100@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Honeybee: I can't wait for LO to be older! I think they will be great together. :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/has-your-relationship-with-your-pets-changed-since-baby#post-305066 Fri, 21 Sep 2012 11:13:00 +0000 autumnlove 305066@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am not as attentive lag on his walks! I still love him a lot! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/has-your-relationship-with-your-pets-changed-since-baby#post-305064 Fri, 21 Sep 2012 11:12:00 +0000 Honeybee 305064@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It got worse for a while right after DD was born. I wasn't able to spend as much time with them, and I felt kinda resentful that I had to do extra work to keep up with them (cleaning the floors more often, cleaning up the yeard, etc...). It got better once DD got to an age where she could interact with them. She's 2 now, and I joke that they're better playmates than her brother, at this point. :) Although I still get kinda annoyed with the extra work (especially right now when the yard is muddy and they track in a bunch of dirt), DD more than makes up for all the attention they lost at the beginning. And she's a really good helper and is already taking on some of the responsibility of having dogs (she helps feed them every day, she helps take them for walks, and spends lots of time playing with them). So overall, it's gotten a lot better from the very beginning. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/has-your-relationship-with-your-pets-changed-since-baby#post-305047 Fri, 21 Sep 2012 11:03:51 +0000 MamaMoose 305047@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Wow good timing. My mom is visiting right now and I just came home with her from food shopping. We were gone 30 minutes and came home to find he had gotten into her bags. He tore up her pill case and ate her make up and it was all ground into the carpet and comforter in the guest room. I had a total break down crying hysterically. Luckily my mom calmed me down and cleaned it up. We just brought his crate in from the garage and set it up. I don't know what to do with him any more. He has become so destructive since I got pregnant. I told my husband that if he continues this crap once the baby comes then we are going to have to find him a new home. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/has-your-relationship-with-your-pets-changed-since-baby#post-305036 Fri, 21 Sep 2012 10:59:01 +0000 GrapeCrush 305036@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>yes it has. we have 2 cats and they definitely don't get the attention they used to because there is someone that requires more attention than them now. most days i wish we had none or one, because they deserve more attention, but we can't bring ourselves to give them up. it drives me nuts the amount of cat hair we have EVERYWHERE! DS's nursery, clothes, his toys...it's frustrating. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/has-your-relationship-with-your-pets-changed-since-baby#post-305031 Fri, 21 Sep 2012 10:57:17 +0000 Amelieisme 305031@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have a 9 yo mini dachshund and he has been my world for 9 years...with me during thick and thin! But the relationship has definitely changed with the addition of the babe. I cried about this a lot during my pregnancy because I knew this would happen. He doesn't really shed much but every time i'm not looking he licks LO in the mouth and just gets in the way in general. I don't at all want to get rid of him...I still love him. It's just makes me sad that our relationship has changed. When I am curled up on the couch, it is LO in my arms...not the pup anymore. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/has-your-relationship-with-your-pets-changed-since-baby#post-304997 Fri, 21 Sep 2012 10:45:34 +0000 Nskillet 304997@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@mrsjazz: I am in the same exact boat. I am basically repulsed by them at this point! I feel some guilt, but at the same time question the quality of life we are now providing them. My husband looses his temper and I just ignore them mostly now. He has never given a pet up for adoption, but I have as my parents had circumstances to give some animals away when I was younger. </p> <p>My husband wants to be rid of them but is already guilty/conflicted about doing so. I know I talk a big game but wonder if I also would be sad/guilt ridden. The upkeep, their cLeanliness, the hair and their treatment of our daughter are huge motivators to find them a new loving home. </p> <p>Since they were mine first DH seems to want me to take the lead as decision maker...sigh </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/has-your-relationship-with-your-pets-changed-since-baby#post-304966 Fri, 21 Sep 2012 10:39:00 +0000 LivsMama 304966@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>it has. And I sobbed over this for weeks before Liv was born because I was afraid Brutus (our dog) would feel abandoned and neglected. Its hard. The baby comes and requires SO much attention, that at the end of the day, there isnt a ton left for the dog. I just make extra effort to snuggle with him and give him lovins, but its definitely different. Not bad, not worse, just different. Hes not our "child" anymore </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/has-your-relationship-with-your-pets-changed-since-baby#post-304953 Fri, 21 Sep 2012 10:34:57 +0000 regberadaisy 304953@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Although not to that extent I can definitely relate. </p> <p>I had wanted to adopt a dog for the longest time. My husband and I waited quite a few years before it was the right time in our life <i>for</i> the puppy's sake. When we got our pup it was so awesome. I love her so much and I still do. But it's just not the same any more? Before she was our only baby and had free reign. Now she's not the only baby, there IS a baby that is now #1. She does things too that annoy the heck out of me. Like doing this loud ear flapping that makes the baby jump. Or barking at someone walking by when the baby just starts to fall asleep.<br /> There are times where my patience really wears thin with her. But I have to remember that this is all new to her too and she's adjusting as well. Each day is a new learning curve for us and my husband reminds me to not forget about our first baby all the time. Usually it's the worst when it's been a hard day with baby. But then afterwards I feel guilty for yelling at the pup. :( She really doesn't know.</p> <p>That being said I can never imagine giving her away even though my mom tells me I should. She's a part of the family.</p> <p>But yes I definitely understand where you are coming from. Gotta do what you feel is best for the family.</p> <p>ETA: It drives me crazy to find hair everywhere as well!! Especially when I find it near baby's eyes or on her clothes. Ah well, she'll learn to live with it like we do. :P </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/has-your-relationship-with-your-pets-changed-since-baby#post-304951 Fri, 21 Sep 2012 10:34:08 +0000 MrsBrewer 304951@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This makes me sooooo sad. I love my two kitties, and I could never imagine loving them any less when we have children. I really hope I don't neglect them in the future. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/has-your-relationship-with-your-pets-changed-since-baby#post-304946 Fri, 21 Sep 2012 10:32:56 +0000 mrsjyw 304946@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm so afraid that my relationship with them will change :(</p> <p>I know that I won't be able to pay as much attention to them and that makes me feel guilty now. I try to snuggle with them extra hard these days! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/has-your-relationship-with-your-pets-changed-since-baby#post-304944 Fri, 21 Sep 2012 10:32:09 +0000 mrsjazz 304944@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I thought about writing this exact same post but I was afraid of what people would say!</p> <p>I have always been a cat person, I grew up with cats. We have 2 and I can't stand them. It began towards the end of my pregnancy and it's worse now that my daughter is here. I hate finding their hair on everything! I just pumped at work and there was cat hair on one of the pump parts. UGH.</p> <p>I haven't pet my cats since my daughter was born. They still come into the bathroom with me and rub against my legs but that is the extent of our relationship now.</p> <p>My husband dotes on them still and loves them to death, so they are getting what they need emotionally. He's not ready to part with them so I have to suck it up. They make me miserable though.</p> <p>ETA: I hate that we have 2 cats. One is well-behaved and the other isn't. I would be ecstatic if we gave away the "bad" cat who has caused us problems for years, but my husband won't have that. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/has-your-relationship-with-your-pets-changed-since-baby#post-304940 Fri, 21 Sep 2012 10:31:45 +0000 pinkcupcake 304940@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I definitely don't get to spoil our doggies like before, but I still love them just the same. It does get frustrating having dog fur all over the place and having to vacuum constantly, but I figure it just comes with the territory. Can you limit the cats to certain rooms of your home? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/has-your-relationship-with-your-pets-changed-since-baby#post-304925 Fri, 21 Sep 2012 10:25:31 +0000 Nskillet 304925@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DH and I have 2 cats who have been part of our lives since we met. I was given these cats by my mother when I had my first apartment. However, since having my daughter I can't stand them. I don't like spending time with them, they are all over our daughters things and my patience is just worn out. My husband feels very guilty at the thought of finding them a new home but the thought sounds like a relief to me. </p> <p>Can anyone else relate? p.s. not trying to offend any of you pet owners out there, just being honest. </p>