suddenly feel that the cat or dog that they have loved and nourished for years must be abandoned? I see this so often and it breaks my heart. You made a commitment when you adopted that pet and now it is thrown out like day old trash. I am not trolling or looking to stir up trouble, I just don't understand this....
2007-06-09 23:27:17 · 21 answers · asked by starrynight1 7 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Parenting
I completlely agree with you, and to the person who said that their doctor recommended getting rid of the cats, the husband could have easily changed the litter box. Plus unless you live where you have never been exposed to pther cats, she most likely has already beem exposed to toxoplasmosis! Here are a few excerpts from experts, for all those who think getting rid of the pet is the answer..
PREGNANCY CONCERNS?
Many pregnant women think they have to get rid of their cat, for health reasons. Time out. Being careful doesn't mean that you can't still be around your beloved pet through your pregnancy! Cats are very clean animals. You can still pet your cat and share living space while you are pregnant. If you are worried about the chance of getting toxoplasmosis from your cat, don't freak out -- you have a higher chance of getting toxoplasmosis from raw meat than you do from your cat! Don't feed your cat raw meat, and make sure your spouse or a friend cleans the cat's litter box for you. Then you don't have to worry about toxoplasmosis at all! Plus, there are tests your vet can give your cat to see if there is even a risk of toxoplasmosis.
There are 3 principal ways Toxoplasma is transmitted:
1. Directly from pregnant mother to unborn child when the mother becomes infected with Toxoplasma during pregnancy.
2. Consumption and handling of undercooked or raw meat from infected animals.
3. Ingestion of food or water or inhalation of dust contaminated with a very resistant form of Toxoplasma called the oocyst (pronounced o-o-cyst) during a period called Stage F.
Unless there are severe health concerns I can't imagine why ANYONE would give up their pet, they should be a member of your family!
2007-06-09 23:41:03 · answer #1 · answered by Jennifer U 2 · 3⤊ 1⤋
I don't understand this either & it really upsets me. My parents had dobermans when I was born for gaurd dogs. I was taught to stay away from them from day one & I never had any problems. I've had a former friend first decide to just declaw her 2 cats when she found out she was pregnat (which I also dislike personally), then once she had the baby she just put them outside. They soon "ran away" but personally I cannot even stomach the thought of what happened to them outdoors with no claws. Another woman asked my mother in law if we'd want her dog...it's 7 years old & once she had her baby she threw it outside to live (never was an outside dog) because "dogs have germs!" I have 3 cats & that will not change once baby comes. If the cats & baby don't get along, baby will be taught to stay away from the cats. My nephew was taught to leave my in-law's dog alone because she didn't like children & they've never had a problem. If need be, baby will be taught that the cats need left alone, much like other things in the house that may cause the baby harm.
2007-06-10 15:28:05 · answer #2 · answered by layla983 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My brother had two dogs he loved and cared for since he was a teenager. After marriage and children he built a special, large fenced area at his rural home, for them to stay in. His dogs were loving to adults, always. But not long after the kids came along the dogs became jealous and dangerous to the children.
Of course, not everyone has the same situation, but even having heard of similar situations may be enough for some mothers to protect their children from possible harm, preventively. That's responsible, not abandoned.
It may seem like they just sent the dog or pet to the pound, but they helped the animal, as well. Instead of having to be penned up, or kept out of the house, the dog will have a new owner who is looking for it, and can care for it. Conditions in people's lives change, and sometimes that means they cannot keep a pet they love. Allowing another person to adopt the dog means it will have a new life and be loved in a place that has more to offer.
I had a dog that went blind, deaf, and stunk no matter what I did for her. I had to move to a new house, and my roommate refused to allow me to keep my dog. In this case, she had to be put down, and it broke my heart, but now I understand others who may have had other situations that forced them to let a pet go. It may look causal, but the feelings may go deep.
2007-06-10 06:48:42 · answer #3 · answered by Jeanne B 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I dont understand this either. I had a cat and a dog when I had my son and the cat slept in the cot with him and when my son was napping on the couch or my bed the dog would sleep next to him. I even have a picture of my son at the age of 5 months asleep with his head on my dogs belly like a pillow. Never once had my pets tried to hurt my son.
As for the kitty litter / pregnant woman comment. I would assume a pregnant woman would be smart enough not to handle the litter directly and wash her hands afterwards. What a stupid reason to get rid of a pet.
2007-06-10 08:24:13 · answer #4 · answered by wickedly_funny66 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
ummm big guy...why don't you try reading the question before you get all loud and tough, where does it say that her children want the pet? and it says NEW mothers which means NEW BABY since when have BABIES had controll over anything??? maybe you should stop trying to act like a big shot and if you have kids you should go bu them ice cream and tell them your sorry that your such a jerk...sound good? k? bye bye
lol
to answer your question...i think its ridiculous. of course the pets might be the second priority but why abandond what was your first priority, ofcoure if they are hurting the baby, then make other arrangements to be kept away form the baby or outside and if you absolutly must then I say find a loving home for it
2007-06-10 12:37:05 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
None of my pets were treated any different when I bought my twins home from hospital. They may have been fed a little later or earlier than usual but that was about it. The dog had slept inside for a while (I'm single and felt safer) so by the time i was 6 months pregnant i had her sleeping outside so she didn't associate it with the babies but she had a warm dry kennel so she didn't care (if there was thunder she would come in as it scared her). So life for my ducks,cat and dog didn't change much. The fish though ended up in my Aunt's pond by the time the kids were two as the large tank became too much. Sadly they died 2 months later.
2007-06-10 06:48:21 · answer #6 · answered by Rachel 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋
It's unfortunately that not everyone sees their pets as family members - a lot of people see them as property, and as being such, being disposable. I would never part with mine in such a way, but I can understand why people do. When you bring that new baby home you are a sleep deprived mess of hormones, and innocent behaviors on the part of the family pet can seem horrible and unmanageable. I know that even my much loved pets were not treated as such when I first arrived home with my newborn - one sopping muddy tennis ball on her precious head, then an eaten pacifier, then a shedding kitty on freshly washed bedding - I practically came unglued. I'm sure that Moms dealing with postpartum depression have an even rougher time of it. I was blessed with family members who assured me that I was crazy, it would pass, and helped to care for the needs of the pets while I was consumed in caring for the baby.
I think you would be more sympathetic to the family dog, who upon giving birth to her first litter of pups suddenly growls at loved family members when they come in to touch the new arrivals. You might say she's just being a good mom and doing what comes naturally. She just needs her family to be extra careful and help her out while she focuses on the new babies, and to know that she will return to normal as they grow up.
2007-06-11 03:33:33 · answer #7 · answered by courageouschic 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't get it either, our dog is like family, and he is great with our son!
The only reason I would ever see an issue is if for some reason the pet was agressive towards the child, then you have no choice... Unless you would rather just lock it outside forever, but that too is wrong.
And yes, you have to be careful around cats, and shouldn't clean the catbox (unless you have no choice, and then should use protections like gloves)... but you don't have to get rid of the cat!
2007-06-10 06:46:29 · answer #8 · answered by Christine 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
My wife is one of the ones you are talking about. I never wanted an animal. She adopted a dog about 5 years ago and now we are separated and I have the kids. Her life has gone to hell. She is living in a hotel with her boyfriend and she cannot keep the dog there. Yes, she took the dog. Like I said I never wanted one. I agree with you about this. But what can you do.
2007-06-10 06:35:13 · answer #9 · answered by Bones 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is no good reason a pet has to move out when a child moves in. You're not going to be letting the baby play in the kitty litter (why aren't the cats toiletting outside anyway?) and the baby certainly isn't going to be crawling around outside in the long grass where the dog toilets - so why get rid of your pets?!
I understand there 'could' be some health issues, but if you train your pets right, keep your house healthy and be sensible about hygiene there is no good reason I see to get rid of pets.
I personally think children raised in caring homes with loving pets (and sensible parents) have a healthier disposition.
2007-06-10 06:34:53 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 2⤋