“Sibling” rivalry

Not everyone in our household was thrilled when my eldest child was born.

From the moment we brought our newborn into the house, our three cats felt threatened.

In those first few weeks, we just didn’t have the time or energy to brush their fur and pet them as they rubbed up against our legs and demanded attention. They also didn’t appreciate the fact that we were constantly shoo-ing them off the couch, the bed and anywhere we needed to make room for the baby.

In our sleep-deprived state during those early weeks, we ended up ignoring our cats’ hurt feelings … until they exhibited signs of “sibling rivalry.”

Sassy, a female Siamese who was about four at the time, began to spray. I had no idea that spayed female cats could do that. But I caught her several times – marking her territory and leaving the unmistakable pungent odor of kitty pee on the dresser in the baby’s nursery, the curtains and even my son’s stuffed toy lamb.

And just in case I hadn’t noticed already, she decided to spray urine in my closet as well. (For some reason, she didn’t take out her aggression on my husband…)

By the time we brought our second baby home, I was better prepared. All of us have since learned to co-exist, but Sassy still sprays once in a while.

What did you do to ge your pet(s) ready for the baby? What lessons have you and your children learned from your pets?