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Pets after babies
We have two cats. One for 8 years and the other for 3 years. Before the babies, I used to feel playful with them and enjoy them being around but since the girls were born, I feel more like they're underfoot all the time and demanding too much of my attention. After taking care of the girls, working and being there for DH, I feel I don't have much left to give for my cats. DH is still very close with one of them (Picus, our 3 yr. old Maine *** has always been more his cat); Ashley, our 8 yr old, has never been as social. Anyone else run into this problem/have your feelings change towards your pets after your LO(s) were born? I'm hoping it will get better once I'm getting to STTN again and have more energy.
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Re: Pets after babies
First of all, LOL at the Nest for censoring c.o.o.n. Nice that they think we're all a bunch of racists who need to be censored.
I completely understand where you are coming from with your cats. I've definitely grown less fond of my cats since Nate was born. I feel like they are too underfoot, too dirty, too whiny/demanding. I have no intentions of ever giving them up, but once they die, we do not plan to get more cats. I think we've just moved away from being cat people.
We have the most issues with our cat Fred. He's always been a PITA though. We both still have a decent relationship with Miles. Whenever we sit down to watch tv or a movie, Miles likes to curl up with us, and we get some good bonding time in.
We really don't have these issues with Fiona (our dog). It can be hard for us to make sure she gets the exercise she needs, especially in the winter when it's too cold for Nate to spend a lot of time outside. However, we still adore Fiona. Our feelings for her have not changed the way our feelings towards our cats have changed.
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100% what you said. i chalk most of my feelings to lack of sleep.
some days i really want to rehome our cats but i would feel terrible. i made a commitment to them and would be afraid something bad would happen to them. *sigh* but i totally get where you are coming from! but yeah, when our cats are dead, NO MORE CATS EVER!!!! lol
we were in the same boat, plus add in trying to sell our house and keep it clean with a litter box and the cat getting multiple urinary blockages which cost money and made even more of a mess. We just really needed a change.
Luckily, my parents were willing to take him, so we know he is happy (especially since he will actually be able to go outside whenever he wants vs being an indoor only cat, plus no screaming and chasing by Emily) and we can still see him when we visit. Plus we can always get him back if we want to. But I don't see wanting to add any animal, whether it is a cat or a dog, to the household for several more years. .
Good luck, it isn't an easy situation no matter what the circumstances.
we've got the same thing... my doggies used to be the apples of my eye, but they sure can drive me crazy because they're just SO needy! on the other hand, henry loves them like there's no tomorrow, so that raises them in my book. they just take SO much work, and i'm just not in the mood to deal with it.
my cats, on the other hand, take like 0 work, and they sleep with me every night and hang out on my lap whenever they have a chance. i
my kitties 
i love my dogs too (very much!!), but my life just doesn't revolve around them like it used to. in addition, they used to do no wrong, but i get irritated quicker with them now.
I can relate to this. We have two cats and a Boston Terrier. The cats don't need that much attention, but I'm tired of dealing with the litter box and they have torn up our house (carpet, screen porch, etc.). We basically got the screen porch for them and they have torn holes through it and like to go out in the yard now. Our one cat ended up spending the night outside a couple of weeks ago. Pre-babies I would have been out searching for her but I just didn't have the energy to do it. She did come back the next day. But I can't monitor where they are every minute with two little ones to take care of.
Our Boston Terrier is a full out AW. She is really bad about getting right in your face when you get home and she is a licker. I get really put out with it sometimes the way she is so in your face. But we love her to death. And the girls love her.
I love my cats too, but I think I'll probably be done with cats too when these two are gone.
It's also a LOT of expense to have three pets.
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