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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To think I can have a new born baby and seven animals?

59 replies

Worriedandabitscared · 02/12/2020 15:24

Hi all,

I don't know if I'm going to get flamed for this but I wanted to ask and hear other peoples experience. I thought I'd be fine but then a Facebook post has popped up with someone rehoming their animals as they've had a new baby and now I'm worried:

I have seven animals, five cats (all assholes 😂) and two dogs (pug and springer spaniel both two years old), I have a three bedroom house, ones my bedroom, the other is baby's bedroom and the third is the cat room/storage (where they are fed and where the litter is as dogs eat it in the kitchen) when baby comes, cats will not be allowed in my room or the baby's room, they'll be allowed in their room, the living room and kitchen ( living room has no door so couldn't keep them out anyway) I've got some nets for the Moses basket and I've moved them out of like the car seat and used a lint roller and the dogs will be staying at my mum and dads for the first few weeks with daily introductions to the baby (the reason they are staying at my parents is because my springer is very boisterous and will jump up to say hello and I'm worried about the recovery cos he jumps at belly's, this is his only behaviour problem and it's getting better as he gets older, they're both relatively chill now, they're asleep next to me as i type this. I genuinely don't think my animals are a risk to the baby, I made a joke about the cats being assholes but honestly they all have lovely temperaments, they're all gentle (dogs especially) so I have no concerns but I wonder if I'm being too naive? The animals were all rescued/bought before I was even pregnant and the pregnancy wasn't planned and people have told me to get "rid" of them but I can't, it's not in my nature but I know I need to protect my son but I'm not going to rehome my animals for simply existing (obviously if they posed a danger then I'd have no choice and I understand that) has anyone got any successful stories of animals and babies or aibu to think it could work?

OP posts:

Thread gallery

PigsInHeaven · 02/12/2020 15:26

I think you’re misunderstanding. It’s not safety that would be in my mind but the amount of work involved in having certain kinds of pets. Your cats I assume look after themselves, but do your dogs need a lot of walking and general attention, for instance?

Santaisironingwrappingpaper · 02/12/2020 15:29

When I had my last dc we had 2 x dcats and 4 ddogs. A dozen chickens, 3 dsnakes and 2 bearded dragons.
And a 5 foot iguana..
Trust me op your dpets +dc will just be a normal household to you once you are in a routine.

Gncq · 02/12/2020 15:29

I'm an animal lover and think your place actually sounds like a lovely environment to grow up in. But you have a lot of outdoor space right? Without the outdoors you'll find it hard. So you're not like, in central city are you?

DaffodilsAndDandelions · 02/12/2020 15:29

Of course you'll be fine. The animals are part of your family and you shouldn't be made to feel like you need to give them up. I had my own border collie and a temporary visitor border collie when I had my first and honestly, having them in the house and needing to go out to walk them was the best thing ever. The only thing I would say to watch out for is unusual behaviour from your animals. My well house trained dog suddenly started to wee on the furniture when we were out. He now doesn't have run of the house and stays in the kitchen unless we are home.

SummerHouse · 02/12/2020 15:31

Yes loads of work plus potential behaviour issues with the animals. Our cats were not happy about a baby and wouldn't go near him at all. Some anxiety I think on their part about this thing being allowed in their home.

movingonup20 · 02/12/2020 15:31

It's fine as long as you can cope with looking after them especially your dp will walk the dogs

Original poster

Worriedandabitscared · 02/12/2020 15:34

The dogs will still get the same amount of attention, I sort of "share custody" with my mum and dad, they've been looking after them while I've been at work and they walk them and give them all the attention in the world (more than what I get haha) I pay them for this of course, I just wanted them to be with family instead of going to doggy day care, they don't work so they have plenty of time with the dogs (I think they thought they'd never get grandchildren so settled with granddogs ) and I've asked if they'd be happy to carry this on and they are okay with it. I live in a small town with plenty of countryside so we can go for walks with the dogs and baby to make sure they're happy and healthy (which is important to me that all my animals are happy) we have a massive garden too ( new build so garden is bigger than the house haha) and I've bought them a lot of new toys, treats and things for Christmas to try and keep them occupied if for any reason they can't have attention straight away - I'm not sure the cats even know I exist

OP posts:

squeekums · 02/12/2020 15:34

Its fine
We had pets since dd was a baby, I had pets from toddler age
She 10 now and we have a dog, cat, budgie, rabbit so many chooks and fish
I'm a big believer in pets are great for kids, teaches them a lot and is good for the immune system, I believe there been studies to back this up too

ivfbeenbusy · 02/12/2020 15:34

You've just got to be vigilant thats all. You can't trust dogs with newborns or cats really. I have a lot of cats and the nets are useless - the cat may still jump at the net and it's not structural so it's not going to stop the cat landing on the baby

Also you will need a contingency plan in place if your baby develops a pet allergy - it can and does happen - I was petrified of this happening to us and watched DD like a hawk in case she looked like she was becoming allergic

flaviaritt · 02/12/2020 15:35

Sounds like my idea of hell, but I’m sure it’s not dangerous.

passthemustard · 02/12/2020 15:37

You sound very sensible and as long as you are aware of the safety aspect and prepared to put in the work to look after the pets properly alongside the baby then you have absolutely no reason to need to rehome them.

I have a dog (a pug, aged 9) and he's super chilled. When I had my first baby getting out to walk the dog everyday was the best thing. I suffered with PND badly and having that routine in place alongside the exercise and fresh air was definitely helpful.

I'm due in a few weeks again and my boy knows, he's constantly nuzzling my belly and I think he's as excited as we are 😂

mistermagpie · 02/12/2020 15:40

Well I had a newborn baby, two other young children and two cats and I'd say animals are easier than children so go for it! Some people have loads of kids and they are much more work than a baby and some pets.

You sound sensible and like you are considering the safety of the baby and the welfare of the animals, which is much better imo than people who get their pets rehomed as soon as they have a baby.

yelyah22 · 02/12/2020 15:41

I think it's hard to know without knowing the animals.

Are your animals okay with children generally? How skittish are they about loud noises, changes in circumstances etc - some animals are more sensitive to changes in smells and stuff than others.

I can see you've already (unfortunately) considered what to do if one of the animals reacts very badly, but bear it in mind if any of them seem borderline around children... would be kinder to rehome now instead of allowing anything horrible to happen after the baby is born and you're a knackered homonal mess having to think about rehoming one of your furry assholes! We have a DCat that hates children (discovered by accident, when she tried to lunge at a toddler in the street hissing and fur on end while he was doing nothing other than making toddler noise and waving at her - very scary/awkward!) so we would have to rehome her if I ever wanted to have a child, which is gutting to think about (and not likely). Someone I know's baby was attacked by their family cat, and the cat was put down. I know these are potentially unlikely scenarios, but worth considering if you have ANY concern about a particular animal around kids now to avoid heartache in future :(

Oh, and make plans for if you've got an ill or colicy or hysterical baby and literally can't put them down to feed the cats/walk the dogs etc. Plan ahead x 100!

Gifgif · 02/12/2020 15:44

Personally I wouldn't have had the energy to wear a springer out with a newborn, but if you have your parents to help then that sounds fine.

mistermagpie · 02/12/2020 15:45

I had three cats when my first baby was born by the way, bengals so not the most chilled out breed, and none of them took the slightest interest in the baby. They went a bit huffy with me but that didn't last long. I think the idea of cats jumping on babies and attacking them is very unusual.

Dogs on the other hand, I would be more concerned about. You will need to be vigilant but you sound experienced and like you have support.

Springcatkin · 02/12/2020 15:49

Having animals with babies is great as they grow up used to them and more caring. We had babies and lots of cats - would never dream of rehoming cat for a new baby! Cats were there first and just as much part of the family.

Spinakker · 02/12/2020 15:51

I think really it comes down to are you willing to sacrifice the safety of your newborn baby ? Dogs and cats do sometimes attack children. I wouldn't take the risk with my kids. Hence we don't have any animals while my kids are toddlers or younger. A boy my son's age was viciously attacked by their dog when he was really young and had to have plastic surgery on his face. I would never take that risk..it doesn't matter how safe a person thinks their animal is. It's an animal at the end of the day and unpredictable.

myneighboursarerude · 02/12/2020 16:11

I love it, your baby will grow up like the animal whisperer!

If you can meet the level of care required for all animals I see no problem at all!

Do you have a partner or will you be a lone parent? I only say that because can used cat litter be dangerous when your pregnant?

Apart from that as long as your mum and dad can help when needed I’m sure it will be fine! Get a good baby carrier and take the dogs for a run in the park and you’ll manage. So many people give their pets away when they find out they’re expecting without giving it a go first so hats off to you for making it work OP.

Congratulations on your lovely baby!

Leonberger · 02/12/2020 16:25

I had 3 dogs, 3 cats and a horse when I had DC1 and to be honest it was hard!

Wouldn’t have given them up though so I just had to get on with it. I just walked them in a zombie like state with baby in the pram and it was fine, it’s all short lasting.
It does mean I am a bit when people can’t cope with one cat and a baby though

DailyDuckie · 02/12/2020 16:51

Do what’s best for you. We have 3 cats, a dog birds, fish and 3 children so not loads but enough. It’s not always easy but I wouldn’t change it for the world. It suits us as a family it might not suit others.

HavelockVetinari · 02/12/2020 17:06

As a PP says, if there are ANY signs that any one of your animals is aggressive towards the baby then unfortunately you will need to rehome, whilst in most cases it's fine there are plenty of awful stories about what happens when it goes wrong.

Also make sure you never leave your child unattended with the dogs in the room, even once they're older - sadly some previously very well-behaved dogs have killed or seriously injured children when left alone with them.

Original poster

Worriedandabitscared · 02/12/2020 17:10

@HavelockVetinari

Of course, any sort of risk and they would be rehomed. I'd never leave them alone in the same room as I know animals are unpredictable and even if they didn't mean to hurt him they still could so I'd never leave them alone, not even for a second.

OP posts:

Rhubarblin · 02/12/2020 17:13

Firstly, I love that your cats have their own bedroom

You'll be fine, I'm a firm believer that pets are for life unless they pose a danger to humans through aggression, a severe allergy etc. Yours don't sound like they will be a problem.

I have a net/dome thing over the cot to keep our cat out.

Santaisironingwrappingpaper · 02/12/2020 17:14

The best part of my 6yo ds's day is bedtime stories with a bed full of ddogs. They don't sleep there just listen and snooze!!
The relationship is so precious between them.

ReindeersAreBetterThanHumans · 02/12/2020 17:22

I had two dogs, four cats, a two year old and a newborn. It was absolutely fine. Don’t worry xx

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