Babies & Pets

Resi · #1 May 15th, 2009, 06:21 PM

Don't mix. I never thought I would feel this way but I wish I didn't have my two cats. They are big pains and I'm sick of them. I feel bad saying/thinking that way but I do.

Before Oliver I would have never guessed I would feel this way. They make big messes. It's hard to keep the house clean with them tracking litter, having hair balls, shedding, making a mess with their foods, and one poops out of the litter box when she feels like it.

I keep thinking about how nice and easy it would be without them. They are persians with the smashed faces and they also get eye gook (spelling?) on the walls and floor. They are 6 yrs old so they still will be around for some time. Ugh.. I wish I could be animal free. I can't bring myself to get rid of them because I took them in and it's my responsiblity to give them a good home. I don't see rehoming them an option because they require a special diet and the one has the litter box issue. I just wanted to complain about it.

Any other new moms feeling this way about their pets? They use to be my babies. Now their just cats that are needy. I feel awful saying that...

*krista* · #2 May 15th, 2009, 06:39 PM

Aw Resi don't feel bad! I've seen plenty of new moms on this board saying that, so you definitely aren't alone. I'm kinda scared I might feel that way once we have a baby. I love my furbabies to death, but everyone knows that everything changes once you have children. I wish I could give you advice or make you feel better, but obviously I don't have children, so I don't know how it feels...

misfitinmn · #3 May 15th, 2009, 07:00 PM

I felt that way at first - but now Ben really enjoys Remi and while he still drives me NUTS sometimes (like tonight, when he barked while I was nursing Ben to sleep and about scared the living daylights out of both of us!), I know that eventually Ben will REALLY love having Remi around. That said, it may be different with a dog than it is with a cat. I can just put Remi outside if he's driving me crazy.

*Anna* · #4 May 15th, 2009, 07:06 PM

I'm with you Resi. We have a dog and a cat... an Italian Greyhound and a Siamese... both almost 5 yrs old. But I don't worry too much cuz DH takes care of them completely. He feeds them, cleans up after them, buys their food... everything. I don't do anything except say hi to them

Kinda mean, but I'm all about just taking care of my baby girl

Which is such a wonderful job!!!

Resi- does your DH help or can he do more with your kitties so you don't have to? Good luck hun

ScottishBrit · #5 May 15th, 2009, 07:26 PM

OMG!!!!! Im glad you said that too cause you already know im going through the same thing! My cat has now decided to poop where ever he wants. So between him puking EVERYWHERE and pooping, and his VERY ANNOYING meow, and fur everywhere!!!! It drives me crazy. I bottle raised him so he think's im his mom and he was a runt so I saved him. I wish all the time I didn't have him but Im trying hard to make It work. I might start trying to find him a home soon. That $500 I just spent on him at the vet and nothing has worked is getting to me!

Resi · #6 May 15th, 2009, 08:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by *Anna*

I'm with you Resi. We have a dog and a cat... an Italian Greyhound and a Siamese... both almost 5 yrs old. But I don't worry too much cuz DH takes care of them completely. He feeds them, cleans up after them, buys their food... everything. I don't do anything except say hi to them

Kinda mean, but I'm all about just taking care of my baby girl

Which is such a wonderful job!!!

Resi- does your DH help or can he do more with your kitties so you don't have to? Good luck hun

Damon already does almost everything for them right now. He cleans up after them and feeds them. I scoop poop because he won't do that. He changes the boxes though.

How have you felt about your dog and cat? Do you feel different now?

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScottishBrit

OMG!!!!! Im glad you said that too cause you already know im going through the same thing! My cat has now decided to poop where ever he wants. So between him puking EVERYWHERE and pooping, and his VERY ANNOYING meow, and fur everywhere!!!! It drives me crazy. I bottle raised him so he think's im his mom and he was a runt so I saved him. I wish all the time I didn't have him but Im trying hard to make It work. I might start trying to find him a home soon. That $500 I just spent on him at the vet and nothing has worked is getting to me!

It's nice to know I'm not the only one dealing with a poop and puke issue.

*Anna* · #7 May 15th, 2009, 08:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Resi

Damon already does almost everything for them right now. He cleans up after them and feeds them. I scoop poop because he won't do that. He changes the boxes though.

How have you felt about your dog and cat? Do you feel different now?

Thats good he helps you!

I feel ok about them... but they were DHs when we met... so I can't say "lets get rid of them"... so I "make due". I love them.. but don't have time for them like I did before... I used to let my kitty sit in my lap, and I don't anymnore.... and I will let Luke our pup sit by me but its just different. I still love them, but its different. And both our fur babes sleep all the time, so they don't need to much attention.

ShannonMVT · #8 May 15th, 2009, 08:39 PM

I've gotten annoyed with our cat since having Matthew. She has spit up hairballs several times (b/c I don't have time to brush her) and eaten the ribbon (and puked it up) off some balloons we got, 3 times! Even when we put them in our closet away from her she snuck in there and got into them. I'm just glad she is feeling okay and didn't end up with an intestinal obstruction, that would be all we need.
I know she wants more attention but I can only do so much. I feel bad that our other cat died back in January and now she doesn't have a buddy.

I wanted to get another cat so she could at least have kitty company but Dh wouldn't let me.
We are lucky she hasn't pooped outside the box because I know it didn't get scooped for a full week or more...yuck!

szczepanski · #9 May 15th, 2009, 08:47 PM

Our kitty coughs up hairballs, but thats just because she is OCD about cleaning herself. For the most part she is a pretty clean kitty....but she is VERY social. She greets us at the door when we come home, she meows at people outside. Anyone who comes over HAS to pet her. She even comes when you call her name. She wants attention 24/7. I can tell she would LOVE the companionship of another cat too......which I would love to do for her but I'd hate to rescue another cat and then have 2 cats + a baby. I don't think I could do it.

Hopefully you come up with a good solution for your kitties.

Its always a tough decision to figure out what would be best for you guys and best for them.

Frozendesire · #10 May 15th, 2009, 09:59 PM

Before Curtis came we had to give away our two cats. They were crazy crazy cats!! They both started peeing on baby blankets and in the BRAND NEW carseat. I was in tears. I'm SO glad that I didn't have them at the beginning. I'm now missing haveing a kitty around, especially since I know Curtis would LOVE one! But they are just so much work.

~*Bethy*~ · #11 May 15th, 2009, 11:39 PM

I only had issues with animals when we were at MIL's house and her 4 dogs and 3 cats. DOG HAIR EVERYWHERE!! While I was pregnant it used to make me nauseous sitting on all the dog hair and it just stunk. We made sure not to take Ian over there much as an infant. We didnt have an animal in the house till last year actually. So both kids were brought home to a pet free home. Now after having the kids, if we have another one, I dont think it will pose a problem, only because Im so used to cleaning up after toddlers and a chihuahua. My biggest problem I foresee with Oscar is he will get jelious of not being able to lay with me when we have another baby, but he is SOOOO good with Ian and Morgan, and I dont see him biting or sniping, just giving me big sad looks when he cant be on my lap because of baby.

~Beth

Angelaosaurus-rex · #12 May 16th, 2009, 12:49 AM

I HATE my 2 cats too!!! One of them are freaking peeing on every thing! Landen is always covered in fur and they tease him!

I feel bad too, they used to be my babies

. I still love them but its just too much.

IamMom · #13 May 16th, 2009, 04:38 AM

Resi - I totally hear you girl and I have been there done that. We had two dogs when we had Harrison and now we have just one. I had a bit more of a serious reason to get rid of my baby dog b/c she bit harrison in the face but still we did it for our sanity and our kids safety. The litter and poop thing could make things unsafe for Oliver....wait till he starts crawling and toddling and putting "everything" in his mouth.....you think you're worried and annoyed now.

I thought it was awful to give my doggy away too....but I actually found a rescue group online that was just for her breed. So these people were specialists in this type of dog and match up people who have dogs to give away with people who want dogs - it was wonderful. Our dogs new family was from a couple hours away in NC and they drove over to get here....no expense on our part. They send us pictures and it appears Kia has a wonderful life, complete with a family beach home that she spends alot of time at (SPOILED!). There was a serious application process for adopters (our dogs new family told us) and the adopters were all people who WANTED these dogs with special needs or who need extra attention. Pretty much all of the dogs in the adoption program had some kind of problem (like our dog was scared of kids). So I would be there would be something out there for your breed of cat. It's worth a try.

I hope it either gets better or you figure something out for them!

**jessie** · #14 May 16th, 2009, 04:52 AM

Resi, have you thought about allowing your cats to go outdoors sometimes? Not all the time, but just when they want. I had always had indoor cats because I was too terrified of them getting hurt, lost, or ran over by a car. Our 2 yo cat at the time had started getting behavior and aggression probs. I made the decision to try to let him outdoors, even after yrs of being indoors. At first he was very scared and would go somewhere and hide, or would just turn around and run back inside. Slowly he started going out more and more and becoming more confident. Now he only eliminates outdoors, never in his litterbox... saving me cleaning up after him, which I found to be the worst part of owning a cat. He is a much happier cat and tends to just want to sleep or be friendly(but less needier than before) when indoors. In good weather, he is out most of the day by choice. He has never gotten lost or hit by a car (and there is some busier roads nearby). I just wanted to throw that out there. They would need their full vaccines first though. Rehoming adult cats is often very very hard on them, especially if they have health/behavior issues to begin with. Some cats do very well being rehomed, but there are many where euthanasia may have been the kinder option, unless someone can be found that can and wants to deal with their issues. There are people like that out there, but they are few and far between.

ANGWife · #15 May 16th, 2009, 07:10 AM

YES! We came home last night to find hairballs all over the house! One of my cats must have gotten a major upset stomach.

I'm also annoyed by all the cat hair on the bed. Okay, yeah I could just close them out of the bedroom, but I feel mean doing that since the baby's room is already off limits. And my youngest cat has always never been able to get enough attention to satisfy him, but now he's just making me crazy. Any my cats can't go outside because we live in a townhouse community (Which also means I have a small house!)

I feel even worse because I secretly want to get rid of my youngest one but don't think I ever would.

#16 May 16th, 2009, 07:25 AM

My Cat, PITA, was find with both my niece and nephew when we all lived together. I am a germaphobe and already afraid of my children inheriting my bad asthma and allergies, and the fur will bother me more than now.

I've realized my cat is very posessive over me-- with the new cat-- and wonder if a baby would piss her off. She vomits constantly. The first time she puked on baby things amd that would be it.

DH says no more cats once this cat dies, and I agreed wholeheartedly except for now-- I love that I don't walk in to a totally empty hose.

The other weighing evidence s that childen raised about w/ pets have LESS allergies? It's a hard debate. Good luck Resi!! In hope you come to peace with your choice.

My Cat, PITA, was find with both my niece and nephew when we all lived together. I am a germaphobe and already afraid of my children inheriting my bad asthma and allergies, and the fur will bother me more than now.

I've realized my cat is very posessive over me-- with the new cat-- and wonder if a baby would piss her off. She vomits constantly. The first time she puked on baby things amd that would be it.

DH says no more cats once this cat dies, and I agreed wholeheartedly except for now-- I love that I don't walk in to a totally empty hose.

The other weighing evidence s that childen raised about w/ pets have LESS allergies? It's a hard debate. Good luck Resi!! In hope you come to peace with your choice.

**Jenn** · #17 May 16th, 2009, 07:30 AM

We live with my in laws and they have several cats. So they're not "my" cats but I've lived here for several years so I feel like they are mine too. I was only ever really attached to the one though. The others are mostly outdoor cats (they stay in the basement during the winter) and a few of them are strays that just adopted us. I didn't mind the cat hair before the boys but once I got pregnant I couldn't stand it! I feel bad but I don't even want to be bothered with Maizy (the only inside cat and one I used to be attached to) anymore. She doesn't like the boys so she keeps her distance though. One of the outside ones (she comes in at night and used to be an inside cat) is really good with the boys and lets them pet her and play but I just don't trust animals with my kids. I don't trust my parents dogs with them either, especially because the one is old and has arthritis and and other issues and will snap at them if they touch her. My whole feeling towards pets in general has changed since I had the boys. Maybe when we're done having kids and they're older I'll feel differently but for right now I want zero pets!

Kerysma · #18 May 16th, 2009, 09:23 AM

Well, we had three cats back when I was pregnant but I think you all know what happened there, I developed horrible asthma and my doctor was threatening to hospitalize me if I didn't do something to make my asthma better so I had to rehome all 3. I loved them all, Chaos more than Kai and Kharma, they all went to great homes, Kai lives with my in laws. My FIL is head over heels for that cat, and Kai feels the same way.

Now we have Winter, our 7 month old Great Dane puppy, love her to bits though she can drive me nuts sometimes. Then there are moments like yesterday, where Ivy was crawling all over her, pulling her jowls, biting her ears, and Winter just layed there and let her and I remember why we got a GD. (obviously I picked Ivy up after she started biting the dog).

I give her a bath once a week and other than that (and a few accidents she had when she was sick) it has been great. I can't say I would be as happy with our cats if they were still here...all that cat fur on everything, and them tearing through the house....Kharma for sure would have stalked Ivy as prey.

Alison81 · #19 May 16th, 2009, 09:38 AM

I KNOW I will feel that way about my dogs when the baby comes, and I hate that. But when you have a baby you want everything so neat and clean, and unfortunately pets are just not neat and clean. But I do plan on making it work. My dad is building a small kennel outside for the dogs, so I can put them in there when I don't have the energy to take them out on leash. And I have one of those shampooing vacuums, and do the rugs at least once a week. My puppy obviously still has an accident or two, and my mini dachshund sometimes sneaks a poop in inside when it's raining and she doesn't want to go out. I know when I have a baby, I will go crazy with that. I am already training my weimaraner to walk next to things. Right now she will walk right next to Elsa's bike and knows not to run forward, so hopefully she'll be that way with a jogging stroller. And I bought a big crate that they both stay in, and would stay in for long periods of time if I needed. Basically, I am preparing ahead of time because I know I am going to be pulling my hair out some days with them. Luckily they are both short haired, and you never notice the fur. And all my furniture has slip covers. As for the hair, did you ever think of getting a roomba, the little moving vacuum?

petalfuzz · #20 May 16th, 2009, 12:41 PM

I get very annoyed at my cats now and don't have any babies! One of ours, Miggy, is very moody and whiney. Another will bother me to no end as soon as the food bowl is half empty. None of them want to eat the crumbs so I have to refill the bowls all the time, it seems. And the hair is everywhere all the time... I could go on forever! Of course Scott does nothing when it comes to pet chores--he didn't even scoop the boxes when I threw my back out so I still had to do it even though I was in terrible pain and crying!