How have your pets reacted so far?

forevermyfenix · July 2014

I've been noticing the past couple months or so, Tank my English Mastiff has started to make more of what we call "House Rounds." DH and I will be in the living room on the computers or whatnot, and he'll randomly get up from dozing (He's a typical lazy Mastiff), travel to every room in the house to check up on things, and then lie back down and resume dozing. He does this every few hours, even into the night. During the night he adds the extra steps to walk on my side of the bed to sniff and make sure I'm ok.

Yesterday, I did our monthly mega-grocery shopping run. I've got to make several more trips than I used to in order to unload the car. The neighborhood isn't horrible per say, but it on the lower end of the socioeconomic status and the next door neighbor has been broken in a few times if you know what I mean. There was a teenager walking along the street that was moving a little too slow for Tanks liking so as I'm making my multiple trips in and out of the house to unload the car, Tank escorted me back and forth the whole way, sitting watch the teenager while I had my back turned to unload the trunk of the car. He wasn't aggressive or anything -no barking growling or even remotely aggressive stance - but simply having his size and presence there to ensure no one was going to mess around. (*I should note: I'm not accusing the teenager of being up to no good - Tank was just being cautious).

I'm pretty sure Tank was the first one to know I was pregnant too. A few days before I got the BFP test, he started following me around more closely and he kept trying to sniff my behind while wagging his tail. He normally is not a butt-sniffer.

I'm pretty excited to see how he's going to react to LO. I have much younger sister and Tank is always so gentle and tolerant of her, despite her running and jumping around like a crazy person. When she was 5, she came over and fell down, and Tank jumped up from where he was, gave her a good check around, nudged her up, and was it was just the sweetest thing. Sorta like the St. Bernard from Peter Pan. Of course we'll still be closely supervising things when LO is here, but I'm pretty excited to see how he takes things.

My birds really haven't shown any indication of even noticing I'm pregnant.

So, how have your pets reacted so far to the pregnancy?

forevermyfenix · July 2014

adventureisoutthere said:

My dog is really out of sorts lately. But I'm not sure if that's because of the pregnancy or because of the fact that we moved. I have noticed he seems to be a bit more clingy with me lately. I'm positive he knew I was pregnant long before I did. I have a lazy basset hound, he doesn't do change well, so I'm hoping he adjusts alright when baby comes

I've hear done thing you might be able to do is when you're in the hospital bring an extra swaddle blanket, wrap LO in it for a while, and have DH bring it home and let the dogs sniff it and become familiarized. Maybe that would help yours adjust?

tamarar5 · July 2014

My Scottie has been through this already last year so she's like "old hat.". She occasionally gets a bee in her bonnet and starts baking l barking at baby stuff, but most of it has been out for a year and a half so she doesn't care.

poofwok · July 2014

I have a cat and he is still the same oblivious and lazy cat he always was.

wandsandwine · July 2014

My cat Sully will not leave my side when I'm home. He's either on the couch next to me or in the threshold of whatever room I may be in at the time. I've been going to bed earlier then my H and Sully just tags right along with me every night.

He is a fearless cat and I don't think he will have an issue with LO. He's only ever hissed/growled 2 times in his whole life. My sister fosters dogs and brings them over he just sniffs it and leaves it alone, usually wants to follow the dogs to keep an eye in them but never even tried to bite/scratch them.

BabyM82714 · July 2014

My cats seems observant of anything new baby related we set up. They are curious of it for a couple weeks then are over it. The nursery was empty until baby and they've never gone in there. Now they tend to sleep on the rug in front of her crib and I think its adorable. They used to sleep with us. I hope they adapt well and continue to be guards

Weezy56 · July 2014

Mine really haven't done anything different. Our oldest is still pretty chill about everything and our youngest is still playful and energetic. We already have the gate and other big baby items set up though so they are already used to what areas/things are off limits when LO is here.

rockyrollgirl · July 2014

He is too preoccupied with our toddler I think.

shevaCC · July 2014

Our two cats have only just come to terms with our toddler 2 years later. DD and the kitties seem to have a healthy fear of each other. I suspect they won't appreciate this new tiny intruder any more. Oh well.

Unknown · July 2014

This content has been removed.

lookame3639 · July 2014

My cat has decided to linger around me a little more, but only when I'mlaying down. I think sshe finds me more comfortable since I'm warmer and have a larger belly. We set up the pnp a couple of weeks ago and she's taken over. She's been through 3 births though and just goes into hiding for a little bit because their crying hurts her ears so when LO starts using it the most you'll see from the cat is her sleeping at the opposite side of the pnp

as for the dog...She's an idiot and walks all over my stomach and whatnot. I'm most worried about how she'll react since we adopted her about 2 years ago.

The birds...well one stays in his cage and prefers to stay there so he's a non issue and when the lights go out and fan goes on he knows it's bedtime. The other prefers to be out of her cage. Since getting pregnant she's been sent to her cage and she doesn't like it. She no longer chatters and practices her phrases and just screams. I'm worried that when they get loud they'll wake the baby or cause hearing issues...

andatcdc · July 2014

The picture tells the story but our pooch has been following me around wherever I go. He loves to lay by the crib or on top of any baby items we have on the floor. He also is wanting to cuddle a LOT more with DH. He usually cuddles with me but lately he has chosen daddy to lay and cuddle with.

chase16 · July 2014

Justine2502 said:
I have a cat and he is still the same oblivious and lazy cat he always was.

Mine too. I know they're sleeping in the pack n play while we're at work because there is fur in it.. But I can't catch them doing it. When we bring baby home felix will be curious.. Tiger will be traumatized.

HeatherHam10 · July 2014

I have 4 dogs and a cat and I dont really feel like any are acting too much diff. Maybe slightly more affectionate but not sure if its due to the pregnancy.

poofwok · July 2014

chase16 said:

Justine2502 said:
I have a cat and he is still the same oblivious and lazy cat he always was.
Mine too. I know they're sleeping in the pack n play while we're at work because there is fur in it.. But I can't catch them doing it. When we bring baby home felix will be curious.. Tiger will be traumatized.

I think my cat will be traumatized when LO becomes a toddler and chases him everywhere lol. He will have to get over the fact that his lazy days will eventually come to an end too haha.

jenniferurs · July 2014

I don't think either of my dogs realize I'm pregnant. Whenever I try to call attention to the bump, they just look at me like I'm crazy.

nthomas1014 · July 2014

I don't think our animals even know or if they do they don't care! We have a dog and two cats.

nyagoc · July 2014

I have two dogs. One I know for certain knows I'm pregnant because she's always by my side, the other might know because she's been more lovey on me than usual. I also have two cats. They don't want to leave my side when I'm sitting on the couch.

Weezy2012 · July 2014

Our cat has been extra curious about all the new baby stuff coming into the house. Her best reaction yet has been to the snugabunny cradle swing and it's bird nature sounds.

She is also usually the type of cat that loves to constantly be in your presence but not really picked up or bothered. Lately though all she wants to do is snuggle which usually means laying directly on the belly or pawing at it. DH generally has to kindly reposition her.

SLMckinnon · July 2014

Our Australian labradoodle definitely knows something is up. She snuggles my belly and if I leave the room (or even walk across the room) she will follow me. She was bred on a farm where the family also fostered children and had several of their own, so you can literally do anything to this dog (take things away, hands in mouth, tug at her etc) and she won't do anything. I've only heard her growl a couple times and once there was a coyote in our yard and the other times there was a stranger approaching me/my house in the evening when I was alone. She still has puppy energy so she will of course be supervised around LO, but I think she will mostly be curious. My husband and I joke that if baby is in the bouncer, the dog will probably try to either sit on his/her lap or bring it a ball to play fetch with her

camichalski · July 2014

My dogs are brothers from the same litter. I know they know something's up. The little one Bill had become overly attached to me and won't let his brother near me. It started about 3 weeks ago and we have finally got them to stop randomly fighting another. It is so annoying. They don't hurt another but it is the loudest noise ever!

vk2204 · July 2014

Our dog isn't sure exactly what is happening, but he knows something is up. He has always been a shadow to H and I, but since I've gotten pregnant it has gone to a whole new level. I was so sick for like the first 20 weeks and every time I would run to the bathroom our pup would come in and make sure I was okay and he would lay down until I was ready to come out. Now every time I go to into the bathroom regardless of the reason he follows. Sometimes it is annoying, but for the most part I think it is cute.

H works every other weekend, so his off weekends and days off during the week have been filled with baby stuff so Havoc hasn't gotten as much attention as he is used to. H is notorious for leaving his socks everywhere and now when Havoc wants to play or just get some attention he will bring out one of H's socks because he knows we will stop what we are doing and focus on him. Normally he is great with not touching things that aren't his, but lately he has been a sneaky sock thief.

cashews29 · July 2014

I'm not sure if mine are aware that they are getting a little sister in a couple of months. They definitely like laying on the nursery rug, probably because it's new and super fluffy. I need to remember to set up the stroller so I can practice walking with them while pushing the stroller.

Mine are general good around kids and babies. Ruby (the boxer) LOVES babies. And by 'loves' I means, 'loves to lick.' She loves to kiss babies. It's adorable. Gracie ignores them mostly, which is fine with me.

herecomesthesun · July 2014

You know? Cat has totally ignored the nursery, cradle, car seats UNTIL this week. Now we find him sitting in the car seat, sniffing or coming into the room with us and acting goofy, rolling all over the floor in the nursery at the base of the cradle. He's been increasingly friendlier with "strangers" when historically he's been very shy but friendly. I'm sure he'll be fine eventually but I'm prepared for him to be really freaked out.

dawnangela79 · July 2014

Our lab has started sleeping in the nursery, it is so sweet! He is quite spoiled and has three other beds in the house, he usually follows us to bed and sleeps on his bed in our room. But about a month ago he started going to sleep in the baby's room. We bought a new bed for him and put it in the nursery next to the crib. He has always been the sweetest dog, and is very cuddly, but lately he is extra sweet, he follows me around, and is so excited when I get home from work everyday. He's going to be such a good big brother!!

jmathi0149 · July 2014

I think my dog has lost his mind. He up and decided to destroy all of his toys, his blanket, and started on his bed. He has worked on it the last 45 minutes then came and laid at my feet. Maybe he knows labor is coming. Here is a picture of half of the mess. Sorry if it is too big or sideways.. I am mobile.

gahorseygal · July 2014

My dogs haven't acted differently until just recently. My pit has always followed me around but just recently she has started following me very closely. So close I feel her nose on the back of my leg or I turn around and run immediately into her. I think she knows it's getting close!

We have also slowly added baby items and have everything set up so they have been able to get used to all the changes over the past few months.

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