Pregnant & thinking of rehoming a dog

[CatLady11]

Hi, I am in very early stages of pregnancy, before I found out I was pregnant me and my partner were in talks of privately rehoming an adult pug. We went to go and visit a sweet little girl yesterday, and I am torn as to whether it's a good decision. She very lovely natured, great with the ladies 5 kids.. but the lady doesn't have the time for her anymore and the cost of feeding 5 kids etc, she feels like she will be better finding a new home.

She isn't a puppy and she is 2 years old. We do have 4 cats, but they spend majority of their time outside and I barely know they are here. Although I absolutely adore my cats, a dog is the missing piece.

I wouldn't be due for many months yet, we used to work a family members dog who not Long ago passed away, and walking their dog really helped my mental health, and it motivated me to get out of the house more.

Am I biting off more than I can chew with considering rehoming this dog?

I know there is pros and cons to any situation..

Any helpful advice is much welcomed

So sorry if I came across negative. Didn't mean to worry you further. Sounds like you've got it all thought out. I was just devastated to have to re-home my cats (although very grateful I found someone to take them, would never have put them in a shelter). Wish you all the best.

I completely agree. We had a 6 month old cockapoo when our first was born and she was a great push for me to get out in the fresh air everyday! The first couple of weeks postpartum were tricky but otherwise I was so grateful for her company when I was stuck at home and the exercise did me so much good! And I now have a 4 year old and a 15 month old and I wouldn't be without her! Good luck whatever you decide, OP!

Such a ridiculous thing to even consider, the cats are enough. Dogs plus kids takes a very selfless owner. Try baby first, with cats and if that’s easy for you (it wasn’t for me), then try a dog.

The cats are enough because you assume that? Most people wouldn’t cope with 4 cats, but for me it’s a breeze, and I absolutely love having them around and they’re no trouble, obviously having a child around is different but it doesn’t mean when people have animals they don’t cope, everyone is different. Obviously you didn’t read the full thread before you jump on making negative comments!! I worked in schools for 7 years with little kids, I know how hard they are, I was never doubting that, but I feel like people get their backs up a lot on here rather than being supportive it seems. I’m going to close the thread now, as negative comments won’t help anyone make a logical decision and only creates more fear.

Huh? You asked would you be mad to consider getting a dog - I said yes. You’ve got cats, with a baby on the way, a dog is likely to cause chaos.

I’ve had dogs living in my home with kids and believe me, it was hell on earth. Hair everywhere, constant noise, masses of additional cleaning and stress. Constrained by having kids, and constrained by having dogs in a totally different way that led to feeling like a prisoner in my own home, only place I could
ever go with kids and dogs was park, it was just the worst. Many people decide to do it, but I think it’s just nuts.

I had read the whole thread, and could see you decided against it, but put my two pence in anyway for good measure.

There’s a reason you asked, because you knew it was a bridge too far. Many people in your position go ahead and do it anyway, well done for making a sensible choice. Don’t know why you seem to think I have an issue about the cats? I’ve got no opinion on cats tbh, most seem sweet and independent to me, not much of a conflict with having kids.

Absolutely not OP. I have a well behaved dog, she was three by the time my first baby came. The dog and baby are both good as gold, baby sleeps all night, dog is a lazy sod, and still, it’s very challenging to meet both their needs. Add a difficulty into that, like a poorly dog, and it’s a nightmare. You can’t just nip out with the dog when baby is asleep etc and sometimes the dog cannot wait! The dog can’t poo in the garden if your baby is crawling out there. It’s quite tricky.

We've been lucky that our dog loves the new baby, but my friend’s dog wasn’t so happy with the new addition and has bitten the baby.

I don’t mean this harshly, but now is really really really not the time. If I didn’t have a dog already, I certainly wouldn’t get one now. After having a baby, I considered rehoming my dog, for the first time ever. Like I said, she’s easy, affectionate and lazy. And STILL it’s hard work.

Sorry didn’t mean to come across funny, I just find some people didn’t read the thread. Yes your right I was asking a perspective on the situation as I was on the fence, I am used to being surrounded by animals and to most people that’s crazy haha! But yes I did decide against the dog now sadly, but never say never maybe in the future we can come back to this :)

I guess everyone takes a situation differently so I find it can be a bit of 50/50 view on the idea. Some people feels when they have a kid the dog have them some sanity in being able to get out the house on walks etc and have some normality without feeling trapped inside, a dog is a reason to get you out!!! That was my main thoughts initially as I’ve missed walking our family dog, and she gave me a lot of comfort in times when I wasn’t so motivated to get out! :)

I had a French bulldog when I was pregnant, it was me and her for so long and my mum then we got new partners I was living between mums and my new partners then we got pregnant I tried to pretend the whole time that I could do it, I couldn’t and no one close to me could rehome her so I had to go further a field and off she went. I miss my dog I wish could have her back but there’s no way I could have the career I want my now toddler and the dog! She was possessive over me too which wouldn’t have been great with the new baby. You just cant risk it

Revisit the idea when baby is here. Hormones play funny games and affect different people differently, so you might love motherhood from day 1 and also find the puppy days easy (I did as I lucked out and had both a very easy baby and a very easy puppy, but one or both of them could just as easily have been a nightmare 🤪)

You will be able get out lots with baby, I loved going to the park every day when they were tiny. I still take mine to the park/canal etc every single day in the summer, even though they’re older now, and because we don’t have a dog we can stay in and snuggle in front of a film when it’s cold and wet. Enjoy your new baby and your cats 😊

I absolutely wouldn't take on a young dog right before having a new baby. You don't know how the dog will be, how the cats will cope, or how you'll cope with a baby yet. Don't do it to yourself!

I say this as a dog owner myself, DDog was 8yo when DS was born and I'm very glad he was older and more chilled when baby arrived!

If you read the rest of the thread I have stated many times that I have decided not to rehome the dog :)

You'd be so much better off borrowing a dog to take for a walk. Lots of people don't have enough time for long dog walks so you'd be doing someone as favour. Your 4 cats should be your priority here. They won't like a new dog invading their space.