Evicting the fur children from the bedroom...

Trampslikeus · October 2014

I'm wondering if any of you already-mamas have dealt with this before, and how you went about it...

We have two kitties who we adore. They both sleep at the foot of our bed at night and come by in the morning to remind us that they exist by stepping on our faces and giving us very sad "we are starving to death!" looks.

Every so often they'll see a cat fairy or a fly and bounce off the walls like they're on uppers and hallucinogens.

This arrangement will obviously not work when we have a newborn in the bedroom, but if we just close the door, they'll scratch and claw at the rug and cry for hours as if we are torturing them.

Have any of you slowly transitioned bedroom-dwelling pets out? Even if just for the first few months before the baby is in his/her own room? Do we need to start now? Any advice would be appreciated

vickic16 · October 2014

I have but also have to cats who sleep in our bedroom so would love to know what to do. Thanks

finchfeeder80 · October 2014

I honestly don't think I've even given a thought to kicking our two kitties out. I doubt we will. They generally tend to stay put at the foot or the bed or near our hips. They're young and play a bit at bedtime, but it's rare that they step on our faces or anything. Once in a blue moon when they're chasing each other around and I'm reading in bed they'll run across my lap. I'm planning on letting them stay.

eburgmama · October 2014

I will not be kicking my puppy out. He sleeps at the foot of the bed and I love having him there

Before I had DD I had a rottweiler who was my baby, I got her when I was inc ollege and she and I were very close. When I brought Zoe home from the hospital the first night she slept ont he floor next to the bassinet instead of ont he bed like she normally did, but that was her choice. After that she came back up on the bed and I never worried , even when we co-slept!

mrsbradshaw80 · October 2014

Glad to see other cat owners here! We are in the Same boat with my two kitty babies. Our cats are indoor/ outdoor and have their own cat door to come and go as they please. This was a compromise I made when when got married and so far it has been great with the exception of all of the lovely "gifts" they bring us. Including Several birds, a rabbit, many lizards a few small snakes as well. While we are impressed with their hunting abilities we are very concerned about this behavior when the baby arrives. Not sure what to do as I love my cats but am terrified of what "gifts" they may present to the baby when he or she arrives. This is really just one of many concerns we have with them. Getting rid of them is not an option but it would break my heart to banish them to the outside.

Trampslikeus · October 2014

@mrsbradshaw80‌ Hahaha the cat I had growing up was indoor/outdoor and he used to leave me all sorts of goodies.

Luckily ours are indoor only - but they're very good bug hunters! They are both sweet but have their claws and a playful streak - so leaving them in the room when we are sleeping is definitely not an option... I have a feeling ear plugs until they get used to the new arrangement will be our only option

Elley1486 · October 2014

DH and I are struggling with this same thing with our two dogs. They are used to sleeping on the bed with us but it has grown quite old. I know it's our fault for letting them sleep with us this long but now that I am struggling to find a full nights sleep, them moving around, pinning me under the covers, jumping on and off the bed, etc is really not making me happy. Plus, every time I get up to go to the bathroom lately, one of them moves and takes my spot! If we lock them out they just whine and scratch at the door...annoying, destructive and results in us still not getting sleep. Suggestions are welcomed!

mountainmama65 · October 2014

Our cat doesn't sleep in the bedroom, but our 2 50-lb. dogs sleep with us in our queen-size bed! It is a little out of control. I plan on getting a king-size mattress (for us), and a cozy cave bed (for the dogs)- I'll be looking for Black Friday or cyber Monday deals.

[Deleted User] · October 2014

The user and all related content has been deleted.

finchfeeder80 · October 2014

Indoor cat folks: Just a suggestion, but it may make you feel more at ease to regularly trim their claws if you don't already. One of mine is just over a year and the other is seven months, so they like to play and swat at things. I've been trimming both their claws about every two weeks or so since each one came home. It really helps. Even if they take a swing at you while playing, or try to catch themselves when they fall off my legs, the blunted ends of their claws really don't hurt and never break the skin. That's usually when I can tell it's time to trim them again. Someone will chase my toes under a blanket and their claws grab me through the blanket!

Obviously, if your kitty plays outside, you might not want to trim their claws, or at least the back ones, for their safety.

Elley1486 · October 2014

I think that will need to be our plan...I just hope I have the heart to enforce it! My dogs are stubborn as all get-out too, so I know we will be in for some battles. Thank you so much for the advice...it is encouraging to hear it does work and they don't just look at the doggie bed like "ok human, you lay on it then".

blastocarrier30 · October 2014

We kicked our cat out of the bedroom (not baby related) about a year ago because he was driving us crazy. Between attacking our feet and knocking stuff off of dressers and night tables we weren't getting much sleep, so we just stopped letting him in our bedroom at all.

He was whiny for a few days, but he got used to it and seems to understand the new arrangement. I don't know if you have to worry about them with a newborn (generally I think pets are fine unless otherwise possessed), but if they're disruptive, try it for a couple of weeks and see how it goes.

betsyplunkett12 · October 2014

When we moved to our new house, our dogs became outside dogs due to the fact that we bought this house and they SHED everywhere. They come in at night and sleep in their kennel. It was quite an adjustment, but they are doing well. We, also, have a cat who likes to eat my hair or poke my eyes when I'm sleeping, but he usually give up fighting to get into our bedroom after about 10 minutes of sticking his paws under the door.

S&SS · October 2014

My son is 3.5 and my cat is still not comfortable with him. He went from being downright terrified.. to now "will be in a room with him, but will freak the fuck out if he makes a sudden movement".

My advice is wait and see what happens.

Jtdd · October 2014

I bed share with my 7 month old and our Great Dane... Husbands in the spare room. My issue is getting the baby out of my bed before the next one comes along. The dogs always slept in our bed and it hasn't been a problem. He's very aware of where the baby is and I've never worried about him rolling over on him or anything.

kateamart · October 2014

We have a small dog (a chihuahua) who sleep with us, and we plan on letting her continue. She basically goes under the covers as soon as we get into bed, and doesn't come up until we wake up in the AM. However, I have a friend who kicked their dog out of the bed once their baby was born. It lasted a while, but then once the baby begin sleeping in its own room, the dog was back in their bed. My friend said it felt like it was the only time she was able to cuddle her first (fur) baby.

eburgmama · October 2014

betsyplunkett12 said:

When we moved to our new house, our dogs became outside dogs due to the fact that we bought this house and they SHED everywhere. They come in at night and sleep in their kennel. It was quite an adjustment, but they are doing well. We, also, have a cat who likes to eat my hair or poke my eyes when I'm sleeping, but he usually give up fighting to get into our bedroom after about 10 minutes of sticking his paws under the door.

I'm really not being snarky, but I have to ask what is the point of even having dogs if they have to stay outside or in a kennel? Do they get any human interaction?

ohiodoxiemama08 · October 2014

We never had any issues with our mini dachshund remaining in our bed. He's only 10 pounds and loves snuggling under the covers

When DD was first born he would get a little anxious when she was up crying, but he got used to it after a while. DD never bed shared though. She was always in a pack n play or swing while in our room (and she slept in there for 5 months too).

A baby is a big change for everyone in the family--even pets. But my best advice is just give everyone time to adjust. My dog is truly a member of our family. Myself, DH and especially DD adore him. I just wouldn't feel right kicking him out because of a baby. I think it's important to keep consistency in an animal's life. Now, if he was being aggressive with the baby that would be another story.

Everyone told me I'd forget about my dog when the baby was born (he's been totally spoiled by me since I got them) but I worked hard to prove them wrong. I wanted to make sure he got plenty of attention too and he does. My husband and I work together to take care of him and keep consistency and routine in his life and will continue to do so when baby #2 comes along.

opheliacantswim · October 2014

@Trampslikeus -- every kiddo is different, but DD slept like a log from pretty much day one. You might find that your baby doesn't give a hoot that there are two noisy, crazy, hallucinating kitties in your room while he or she is sleeping. DD slept through everything--I would go in her room and vacuum under her crib while she slept.

Of course, if the issue is that you're afraid the kitties might jump into bed with the baby and accidentally hurt him or her, that's different. But anyway, I'd at least consider trying to let the kitties stay in the room. Good luck!

Frogger5 · October 2014

If you close your door and don't let the cats in, I suggest putting a piece of plywood or something similar against the door frame on the outside. Then if they scratch it's not on the actual door so it's quieter, and doesn't ruin anything. As long as they get some cuddles during the day I wouldn't feel too bad, but if you're just going to ignore them after the baby comes, that seems unfair. They also make mesh covers for cribs etc. to keep cats out of the baby's actual sleeping area if you're interested in that.

nautlikeu27 · October 2014

We don't plan on kicking our dogs out but we may take their beds out or move them to the other side of the room to make room for the baby for the first few months. It will be a lot of trial by error and seeing how everyone does and going from there. I love having our dogs in with us

tahitiandreamin · October 2014

We didn't kick my cat out of the bedroom when DD came. He would sleep curled up with me every time when it was cold out and on my pillow when it was warmer. As soon as DD cam he spent the first few months sleeping elsewhere, by his own choice. After DD was more settled he moved back into the bed with me. I was really worried how he'd be with DD because he was a very, very spoiled cat and was a bit older (12 yrs). He turned out to be amazing. He was really, really careful around DD and would really watch out for her. When she cried he'd stand at the foot of her crib and would not move until DH or I came to make sure she was ok.

Trampslikeus · October 2014

@frogger5 - thats a good idea, i actually have a few planks of old barn board I got for a project I never got around to. I'll probably wait until the spring to start trying to keep them out, its not going to be easy

Emilywooddesign · October 2014

I could never kick my Shih tzu out of my bed, we share a pillow and I love snuggling her! I have some friends who had the same problem with their 2 cats. Could you shut them in the spare room at night? Somewhere comfy with all their stuff?

dojo1 · October 2014

we went cold turkey. They didn't appreciate it much in the beginning, but got used to it. Now they assume the position when they hear DS cry for me a night and dart in as soon as I open the door. I have to shoo them out but they're used to it by now. Honestly, we sleep so much better without them.

kayladawn91 · October 2014

We have two 60 lb dogs. One sleeps in a crate since he's still a puppy and the other is supposed to sleep on her dog bed in the floor, but always ends up in our bed at some point during the night. DH and I were talking about this very thing last night. I have no idea how they are going to react when we bring baby home. But I know I can't kick them out of our room. My dogs have extreme separation anxiety so we would have a destroyed house in the morning...I'm just going to hope for the best!!

BGgrowsagain · October 2014

We have too dogs and a cat. The cat usually roams around from bed to bed and finds somewhere to sleep.

Our 100lb dog is older and he usually sleeps outside the door of the kids room or on the floor at the foot of our bed. Our 30lb dog sleeps in a dog bed and tries to sneak in the bed from time to time on my husbands side (i'm 100% no dogs on the furniture and DH is a pushover).

Our dogs bark. At anything. It's incredibly irritating but it has never bothered our babies. Us, yes. But the baby sleep right through it.

BGgrowsagain · October 2014

on a side note I'm certainly thinking about kicking the dogs out of the room tonight because the old dog has some gas issues and it's not pleasant when a small dog stinks let alone a 100+lb dog.

My entire bedroom smells like the inside of a dogs anus.

I'm gonna need to light a candle but I'm afraid to light the match.

Ladymouse · October 2014

We locked them in the garage at night. But they figured out how to open the locked cat flap, even if there's a crockpot in front of it. Eeeesh...

Trampslikeus · October 2014

@emilywooddesign - putting them in the guest room would be our absolute last resort, thats why Im hoping we can transition them gently before the baby gets here. They have complete run of the house and I'd hate to be like "ok, baby is here, now you're getting closed in a room!" My SOLE concern is them being in the bedroom when we're asleep.

I understand all of you who will be keeping your dogs in the bedroom - I've had dogs before and my concerns would definitely not be the same with a dog. But when these two get going, they don't care what is near, under, or between them - and declawing them is also OFF the table.
They pretty much do this every morning, except most of the time its invisible cat fairies they're chasing, or a bit of dust.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rbV9eJuzyqA

TeacherMama7 · October 2014

Our shih poo is crate trained, so she sleeps in her den (cage) at night. She loves it, it's her own private space! It's in our room, too. I won't change anything when the baby is born, because I will feel safe with her being in the cage.

bbnmama2012 · October 2014

We're not kicking them out of the room, but we are kicking them off the bed. Slowly transitioning to the dog bed in the floor. I know I will not feel like having a 75 lb boxer laying on my legs in the third trimester. Lol. He just loves to cuddle.

hailee8706 · October 2014

tiffanyhowton said:
We're not kicking them out of the room, but we are kicking them off the bed. Slowly transitioning to the dog bed in the floor. I know I will not feel like having a 75 lb boxer laying on my legs in the third trimester. Lol. He just loves to cuddle.

We have a boxer too, he is such a cuddler but he literally takes up half the bed. So we have transitioned to him and our 4 month old Pitbull to sleeping in their beds on the floor. He whined the first week and would set his head on the bed looking at me which broke my heart. Each time they would jump up we told the OFF and either LAY DOWN or BED. They adjusted just fine. They get plenty of cuddles during the day. I just figured it's best to do it now then when I'm as big as a house.

ohiodoxiemama08 · October 2014

tiffanyhowton said:

We're not kicking them out of the room, but we are kicking them off the bed. Slowly transitioning to the dog bed in the floor. I know I will not feel like having a 75 lb boxer laying on my legs in the third trimester. Lol. He just loves to cuddle.

My dog loves to snuggle too! He's only about 10 pounds though, so it's a little different :-P When I was pregnant with DD he used to love to curl up next to my stomach and cuddle my bump! She used to kick him too--but he never seemed to mind. Now DD absolutely loves him--I like to think they bonded before she was even born

bbnmama2012 · November 2014

I think boxers are notorious cuddlers. lol. We've been trying to get him there, but he's so sneaky. My husband works thirds, so if our dog sneaks into bed, I don't notice while I'm sleeping. I'll just wake up and there he will be. lol.

wendyful · November 2014

we have a husky who is and always will be my furr baby. definitely not kicking her out. shes well behaved and she sleeps in her own bed on the floor.

but we had some friends who did kick their dog out of their bedroom after the baby was born, its tight quarters for 2 adults and a baby,

to each their own.

good luck

littlechemist · November 2014

The dog used to sleep in the bedroom but got kicked out when we got our 2 cats. He now sleeps outside the bedroom door and the cats sleep on the couches downstairs. The dog whined for a while but has gotten used to it, and DH and I sleep much more soundly these days! On the weekends we shut the cats in the basement because they like to keep a consistent schedule of waking us up at 5:30am because OMG THEY'RE STARVING! (or so they would have us believe)

Want a personalized experience?

Evicting the fur children from the bedroom...

Re: Evicting the fur children from the bedroom...

Choose Another Board

Search Boards