Pregnancy and pets

[Rosegold3112]

Hello all you lovely ladies.

I am 26+6 with my first human baby but I am already mummy to a 12 year old fur baby. He is my lovely chihuahua, Chunky and as my due date gets closer and I am getting more anxious about how he will react. I have to admit there is some guilt too. He is a rescue dog and he struggles with attention from strangers and other dogs. I toyed with the idea of getting another dog last year but ultimately felt it would be too cruel for him - he just doesn't have the personality to share and I thought he would get depressed. Now I realise I've done something far more drastic 😂😂🙈
I've also noticed over the last few months he has become a lot more clingy. He was never vocal, except to shout at strangers and dogs, but for the past few months he's started whining at me. It's got a lot worse since Christmas. He whines when he's in the back of the car, he whines when I'm sitting at the kitchen table cos he wants to sit up with me. He whines on walks if I'm standing looking at a view and not at him. I'm starting to wonder if he might be sensing there is a baby on the way? Of course it's also been an odd year and I've been at home a lot more than I normally would so he's not been left alone for a long time. Has anyone else had experience with dogs getting overly clingy in pregnancy? And for any mums of babies and fur babies alike, how did you alleviate any anxiety felt by your furbabies in the run up to bringing a baby home?
Thanks all! He is a very important part of my family and I want him to be involved as much as is safe xx

As the whining is new have you taken him to the vets for a once over? It would be worth it just to rule out anything physical given he's in his senior years.

Like you say it might just be because it's been a bit of an odd year, my Goldie started whining from separation anxiety when I started doing school runs again in June (dc4(5) was in reception), then again when they were all back at school in September. But it settled down once she got used to it again. I expect she'll do it again for a period when this lockdown is over.

All dogs will react differently to a new baby but I've never had any issues, lots of praise & fuss to let them know they're still important & loved. My childhood dog didn't like me by all accounts but would bring toys back to me that I'd chucked out of the playpen

I have no advice unfortunately but following with interest as I also have a very needy dog that loves to be attached to me. Worried about how he will react when a baby needs all of my attention.

@BernardsarenotalwaysSaints thanks for the reply. I've been reluctant to take him to a vet. The rest of his behaviour is normal, just a little more clingy and because of lockdown I wouldn't be allowed in a vet with him. He is not the sort of dog to go in alone. He is small but typical chihuahua and feirsome lol our old vet was actually a little frightened of him and we've moved away since then so wouldn't even be someone who is familiar with his antisocial ways.

I really hope he is just sensing a change and will be fine once baby is here. He is very calm around my nieces which is a good sign I guess. I just feel really guilty that he'll feel second best. It's probably also my pregnancy hormones making me super sensitive. I know he ended up in a rescue home because his previous owners divorced. Not sure if children were involved but my head builds scenarios that he will associate the baby with being given up and he'll worry I'll do the same. I'm my own worst enemy really 🤦‍♀️

Do consider how his life may change when baby arrives. Where does he sleep? Can he have somewhere quiet to escape to?
If there are any changes he needs to make (eg not on sofa or in baby’s room then do that before baby gets home. So he’s used to it.)
Also how is he with noise? Crying baby?

A clingy animal is bad news for bringing a new baby home. You need to establish some ground rules now as you will not be able to give the attention once you have a newborn to take care of. It's a good idea to go to some dog training sessions, a professional will be able to give you lots of good advise on how to adapt your fur baby to your new addition.
All dogs should have a "safe space" with kids around. We kept our dogs crate/cage with a comfy bed in it so she can escape the kids, they are NOT allowed to touch her when she goes in there. They can get a bit rough so as patient as she is she needs to get away sometimes. Children need lots of training on how to treat animals too.