Kids and pets?

OK, so I am not here just yet, as my DS is 5 months and not moving around yet.... but here is my question:

For those of you with small ones who are crawling around or walking around as well as dogs or cats, what do you do with the pet food? Right now, we have our cat's food in the kitchen on the floor. Do you move it somewhere else when the babies start moving around so that they don't try to eat it?

Just wondering what you BTDT moms do. TIA!

Re: Kids and pets?

I didn't move it until my DD saw an interest in it and starting going to it every day.

I would wait and see before moving it.

My DD would be interested in it for a couple of weeks, then not, then again it was like a cycle. But know - she really doesn't want anything to do with it.

I don't know if it is because she knows now that Mommy really doesn't like it too much when she puts her feet in the dog water bowl

Message edited 2/3/2008 12:19:08 PM.

Re: Kids and pets?

My son loves to play with the pet bowls I can't even tell you. I actually just feed the dogs on my deck now, and after DS is sleeping.

Re: Kids and pets?

we have to lift their dishes now and the water bowls, and they get fed when the boys are napping or when they go down for the night.

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Re: Kids and pets?

Well I already have the dogs food, water and toys in another area closed off by a gate, so I think we will be able to keep him clear of it.

Re: Kids and pets?

We have a gate to keep DD out of the kitchen (and the dog in the kitchen, when we go out). DD is never in the kitchen, so she doesn't go near the food bowls.

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Re: Kids and pets?

funny you should ask this because I was just saying to DH this morning that once he starts to move around the cat food is going to be a problem (and possibly the litter box )

Re: Kids and pets?

I would consider a gate. We only feed our cats twice daily and so we don't have food sitting out. We are trying to figure out what to do with the litter.

Re: Kids and pets?

I don't think my DS will be crawling in the kitchen much. We have a gate. My dog leaves no food in the bowl, so if we have to take away his bowl as soon as he finishes eating, that won't be a big deal. My dog is not much of a water drinker but I prefer to leave it available for him. We'll see if I can.

Re: Kids and pets?

as soon as DD started crawling, I used a gate & the living room ottoman and fenced off an area (the dining room) where DD could not go. I put the pet food there- the dog could jump over the ottoman and get to it easily. Now that DD is older and the gate is down, she often goes over and picks up the pieces of dog food- this drives me nuts but I'm not putting up the gate again (she needs to reach her playroom- next to the dining room) and she never puts it in her mouth.