https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Thu, 16 Apr 2026 00:10:29 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-love-my-baby-more-than-my-fur-baby#post-636130 Wed, 13 Mar 2013 08:59:45 +0000 BabyBoecksMom 636130@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I completely understand what you're going through. I have two very large dogs, and they were my babies. I ran with them every morning, took them on camping trips, and spent lots of time with them. Now, I don't have that time to spend with them for the same reasons you listed. It's tough. </p> <p>One dog has lots of energy and needs to have lots of exercise (ie; jogging 5 miles/day doesn't phase him), and I just can't do that anymore (sleep trumps working out!). I'm actually considering finding a new home for one or both of my dogs because I want them to have a better life than we can give them right now. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-love-my-baby-more-than-my-fur-baby#post-636107 Wed, 13 Mar 2013 08:53:55 +0000 su9su9 636107@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Before we had kids, our dogs were our babies. We spent so much time keeping them clean daily (ie. wiping them down after they pee'd or pooped) and they slept with us on the bed. While pregnant, I vowed never to be one of those who neglects their fur babies after human babies. </p> <p>Well...we have since then given one dog away, and the other one is lucky if we remember to put the food down. </p> <p>Time has changed. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-love-my-baby-more-than-my-fur-baby#post-635990 Wed, 13 Mar 2013 08:20:51 +0000 littlek 635990@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I know that our dogs have become much needier now that our son is here. I try to give them special cuddle time since I know they are jealous.. We are also trying to teach DS "gentle touch" so he can pet them as opposed to slap at them. It takes time but it gets better. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-love-my-baby-more-than-my-fur-baby#post-635988 Wed, 13 Mar 2013 08:19:55 +0000 mrs. wagon 635988@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This was tough for us. Our two dogs were basically our children until we had human babies (haha). Now they are just dogs. It has been a tough transition for all, but they do have each other and they haven't acted out too much. They have their own space in our house (a large gate-enclosed area in our kitchen where their dog bed and food/water are) and they are always in that space during the day while we are at work, ever since we got them. So if they're ever in the way or we can't pay attention to them, we put them in there and they have to stay there until we can pay attention to them. We call post-baby-bedtime "puppytime" in our house. </p> <p>They used to sleep in our bed every now and then, but they are highly shedding and the dust upstairs got to be too much, so now they sleep downstairs every night. </p> <p>I do feel bad like they are being neglected sometimes, but the lesson we've learned is that they're dogs, not humans, and human babies just need more attention. If my dogs were crying and screaming I'd obviously tend to them first. But they're content and happy to just lounge in their space or on the couch until after the kids go to bed. And now that our kids are a little older, it is awesome seeing the interaction and teaching our kids how to handle animals. </p> <p>Our dogs are very well trained and disciplined... neither of them have bit me on purpose (sometimes I get a nip when they're taking a treat out of my hand or something) but if either of them did, I'd probably punt them across the room. That sounds harsh but that's just unacceptable!! Just as unacceptable as an older child biting!! Both of them nipped as puppies but have learned not to bite. So if they bit now, that's a definite no-no.</p> <p>Ok, "punt them across the room" is a bit much. I'd probably push them away quickly, and since they're both small (5 lbs and 11 lbs) they go pretty far when you push them! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-love-my-baby-more-than-my-fur-baby#post-635972 Wed, 13 Mar 2013 08:13:28 +0000 blackbird 635972@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Can you or DH set aside some kitty time? He's probably acting out because he's neglected. The poor behavior is a means to get your attention (although it's backfiring, it's all they know, and let's be honest, even children behave this way). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-love-my-baby-more-than-my-fur-baby#post-635960 Wed, 13 Mar 2013 08:09:16 +0000 autumn865 635960@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thank you everyone for the kind posts! In the light of day (and apologies between DH and I for being snippy) things are better. @PurpleUnicorn: I totally agree that I really didn't prepare myself for feeling this way. People said it would happen but I thought the cat would still be my "baby" too.<br /> He still (through my frustrations) gets lots of love but he's a very social cat and I'm sure in a way is mad about the changes in the house. But this middle of the night biting has to stop! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-love-my-baby-more-than-my-fur-baby#post-635953 Wed, 13 Mar 2013 08:05:38 +0000 chopsuey 635953@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It's natural. Sorry you're having a hard time with your kitty. :(<br /> Before I got married, my dog was my life. I treated him like a baby and preferred him over people. I've kicked people out of my house and acted crazy hostile towards them because they were mean to my dog. </p> <p>FF to getting married and having kids.<br /> I could care less about my dog. I gave him to my sister.<br /> When we visit CA, he's such a nuisance and annoys the crap out of me.<br /> I feel really bad, but.. he's an animal. My kids are way more important. :P </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-love-my-baby-more-than-my-fur-baby#post-635943 Wed, 13 Mar 2013 08:01:24 +0000 pl0508 635943@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I feel the same way about our dog. She feels so neglected ! I keep telling myself it will get better, hopefully </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-love-my-baby-more-than-my-fur-baby#post-635907 Wed, 13 Mar 2013 07:42:22 +0000 mediagirl 635907@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I feel the same way. Our dogs sleep in our bed and they're bed hogs. I'm so less in love with them now that the baby is here but, we started this with them in the bed and we know we can't just tell them to get off now. (One is also old and we know if we kick her off, she'll just pee all over the house).</p> <p>Sorry you're having problems with your cat. I hope he figures out soon that he just has to deal with less attention. My dogs are still working on figuring that out (9 months later...) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-love-my-baby-more-than-my-fur-baby#post-635823 Wed, 13 Mar 2013 06:26:20 +0000 PurpleUnicorn 635823@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>i empathize. I have two cats and one of them in particular was my BABY before my baby came along. I used to even love her smell which people thought i was weird for. Now i find she just smells like... a cat.... I don't have the same issues as you since DH takes the time to still give the cats lots of attention. But i get how your feelings change when you have the baby.....another one of those things people warned me about when i was pregnant but refused to believe! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-love-my-baby-more-than-my-fur-baby#post-635817 Wed, 13 Mar 2013 06:11:59 +0000 T.H.O.U. 635817@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It sounds like maybe there needs to be some rules for the cat like no sleeping in bed. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-love-my-baby-more-than-my-fur-baby#post-635814 Wed, 13 Mar 2013 06:00:39 +0000 KissMeCait 635814@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My cat is a biter. It can be annoying but he only does it when he wants to get our attention to play (like in the middle of the night). </p> <p>Please try to remember that he's probably really sad that he's been replaced. As you said, he was the center of attention before your baby came along and you treated him like your child. I imagine it's tough for the little guy to go from being loved in that capacity to being a burden and ignored. </p> <p>It always makes me sad for pets when their owners have children and basically stop caring about them. I'm not saying that's the case here but it happens all the time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-love-my-baby-more-than-my-fur-baby#post-635777 Wed, 13 Mar 2013 04:52:30 +0000 Cherrybee 635777@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Oh no, your cat bit you??? I would totally have thrown it off the bed for that! Did he used to throw up in the house before you had your baby or do you think he really is acting out?? </p> <p>I really sympathise with you because I've had zero patience with my little dogs since about 3 months pregnant. I dread to think what I'll be like when the baby is here!! I feel like they are constantly scratching the door to go outside and then, when they're out there, they're just wandering about - like "do your business and come in, it's cold with the door open!". Urgh and the constant trying to get on my lap - enough already!! </p> <p>Lastly, can I just say - of course you love your baby more than your cat. If you didn't, I'd be very worried!!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/i-love-my-baby-more-than-my-fur-baby#post-635741 Wed, 13 Mar 2013 01:02:51 +0000 autumn865 635741@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My cat has been DH and I's baby since we got him six years ago. He was the subject of our pictures and a part of the family. Fast forward to present day (1:30 am to be exact) and he has become a stress. Since the baby was born 6 months ago I just somehow don't feel the same about him. He acts out when I'm home alone with the baby (having to clean up his throw up while handling a screaming baby, the cat playing in baby spit up, darting underfoot when I am walking the baby downstairs types of things). In the 20 minute naps the baby takes when I (literally) only have a moment to myself he is pining to be all over my lap. Tonight he bit my bare leg hard in the middle of the night (he insists on sleeping intertwined in my legs which I hate and keeps me up) and I threw him out of the bed. DH popped up and snapped at me for throwing the cat, I said something snippy back and the baby woke up in the middle of it. I'm taking care of the baby now at 2am and the cat is probably in my spot as we speak.</p> <p>Sorry for the long rambling post. End rant. </p>