Pets and LOs

izzourclue

So over the past 9 months we had a lot of discussions on introducing our pets to our LOs.  I was wondering how it went for everyone?  My 2 greyhounds have been really good.  We did a careful introduction the first day and since then both of them have pretty much ignored DD (which is what we want).  Our boy dog likes to sit outside the nursery while I nurse and they show some interest in the diaper pail bag when we change it, but come on.  It must smell amazing to them.  Overall I'm very happy and relieved.  I still never leave them alone with DD even for a second and won't until she is probably 3 or so. 

geminibrooke

We were surprised how easy it has been so far too. Our dog LOVES the new family addition and we have to be careful because she will lick him any opportunity. She doesn't bark at him at all, which I am so happy about. I thought all the new noises and crying might cause issues, but it has been so easy. The cat has acted like the baby doesn't exist, so that works too!

Fergie+1

The first week LO was home, all three cats acted like he was an alien and wouldn't come anywhere near him. Two of them still stay away from him if they can, but it seems more a 'If I ignore it, it'll go home' thing. The third cat will come up and sniff him, then walk away. Doesn't care about LO at all.

maltwin1

It went great for us. Our two dogs couldn't have cared less, and that was just how I wanted it! Our black lab will now sniff him from time to time and will lay at the edge of his blanket during tummy time, but our Pomeranian still just avoids him. So far so good!

uklawgirl

My two cats have been a bit wide-eyed like "What the hell is that?" but they've kept their distance and seem to understand that she is hands off. I've started calling my oldest cat Nana because if the baby cries she will come and sit by me and meow like "oh dear what's wrong?" or just watch to check it out. It's so funny.

hjk5000

Our cats have been really great so far.  As I expected, they are not impressed, lol.  The first day they did the wide eyed "WTH" thing, but slowly they came around and gave him some sniffs before walking away to do something else.  That's pretty much the extent of their interaction with him, they just sniff him occasionally to see what's up.

One weird thing was my boy cat puked a few mornings in a row for no apparent reason.  We think it was an attention or an anxiety thing because otherwise he wasn't acting sick at all.  Their routine was blown and we had a bunch of visitors so we think it gave him a nervous stomach.

MsixelA

My dog pretty much ignores our LO. He'll sniff him once in a while and then just walk away. When he farts or poos he'll kinda stretch his body from a distance and sniff at his bum then sneeze, which is hysterical. Also when I nurse him overnight the dog will come and sniff him and then sit at my feet and wait until I'm finished then look at me like and wait until I say "good boy" then he'll go back to the living room and go to sleep. The funniest is when LO is in the swing and the dog decides that he wants to sniff him and he tries but can't figure out the timing of the swing so he just runs front and back or ducks every time the swing comes back at him. We don't leave LO alone with the dog and won't for a while yet, but so far so good

Doodle2011

We have 3 dogs and 2 cats.  One of the dogs is friendly but basically disinterested.  The other two are very interested/friendly and would tongue bathe LO if left to their own devices, so we have to watch to make sure she is out of tongue's reach, and also will go into the nursery if we leave the door open.  One of the cats will come check her out, but at a distance.  The other gets closer and will rub up against her.  We are pleased with how they are all behaving.   

PeetiePie

Our dog doesn't pay much attention to DD.  I think he's jealous that she gets more baths than he does.  When she's really upset/crying he always comes to check things out, but that's about it.  I was quite relieved.

beetlebug00@comcast.net

We have two dachshunds and a cat.  The cat seems afraid of the baby.  My one dog doesn't seem to care.  The other dog loves her and is constantly trying to lick her and smell her, which drives me crazy.  She's also super protective of her and freaks out on DH when he comes near us when we're sitting on the couch.  Super annoying.

discovolante

Our Catahoula took to LO pretty well.Lots of interested sniffing at first, but he's very gentle with him. ''He has to constantly check on where the baby is, and the other night I was holding LO where the dog couldn't see him, and the dog started looking everywhere for LO and pacing until I showed him that I was holding him. I have a feeling they will be BFF's in a few years. 

freeatlast2014

We have 2 cats - I found one (the one I don't trust) in the crib (twice) and in the pack and play (before LO came home)--neither time LO was in there--but it made me nervous...but it hasn't happened again! The other is super affectionate with us more than before but doesn't come too close to LO. We no longer allow them to sleep in the bedroom with us because I don't want anyone creeping in the co-sleeper. Can't be too careful.

hollerjeepgirl

Our animals haven't been as bad as I thought! the dogs seem really protective over him and start whining when he's crying. I was nervous about them too because they're very roudy dogs - one's a boxer mix - but they've been great. The cats are ok too. One of them refuses to leave a room though and starts howling, especially when DS is crying. That cat will also follow me into the nursery if he's locked himself in one of the closer rooms and start freaking out when DS is crying. He'll start meowing, trying to paw at him (not in a mean way, I guess he's worried??) and rubs up on me. I think he's starving for attention although we're not neglecting him

laceysmom82

I am pleasantly surprised by my pets (3 labs, 2 cats) reactions to our LO.  No one seems to mind her in the least.  My male lab completely ignores her, and my chocolate lab is really into sniffing her and sneaking in a lick here or there.  My other lab doesn't seem to interested either, but pays her more attention than my male lab.

I have one cat who loves to get in the pack n play so when she's inside we have to keep it ocvered. My other cat will come up to Annabelle and sniff her but thats about it.

So far I'd say its a great adjustment.  I'm just waIting for when she starts to get mobile how things will change....?