Bringing a new baby home is one of life’s most joyful experiences, but for some new mothers, it also brings unexpected and heartbreaking decisions. One of those decisions is rehoming a beloved pet. While online forums and social media can be quick to criticize, the real stories behind these choices reveal just how complex and emotional they can be.
Caring for a newborn is exhausting. For many moms, the constant demands of a new baby leave little time or energy to care for a pet. One mom shared on Reddit that after her baby arrived, she was overwhelmed and couldn’t meet her dog’s needs. Rather than let the dog’s quality of life suffer, she found him a home where he would receive the attention he deserved. Another mother wrote a personal essay for Mom.com about her dog, Levi. She loved him deeply, but after having her baby, she began to feel like she was neglecting him. Levi was alone more often, and her guilt grew. She ultimately made the painful decision to rehome him, finding peace in knowing he was in a better situation with someone who could focus on him.
Sometimes the choice is less about time and more about safety. Some pets simply do not adjust well to life with a baby. On Reddit, a mother shared that her dog became aggressive after her child was born. Despite trying different strategies, they had to prioritize their child’s safety and rehome the dog. In another story, a mother said her once affectionate cat began acting out after the baby came home. Even after trying to retrain the cat and slowly reintroduce him, she eventually realized it was no longer safe to keep him in the home.
Postpartum depression and anxiety can also play a major role. One mom admitted on Reddit that after giving birth, she was emotionally stretched thin. She struggled to take care of her pet while managing her mental health. Even though she loved her dog, she knew rehoming him was the kindest decision for everyone involved, including herself.
But these decisions also raise uncomfortable questions about how we view our pets in the first place. Dogs are often described as indispensable family members, valued just like any child or partner. Yet when a new baby arrives, some families rehome their dog within weeks or months. That choice, while deeply personal and sometimes necessary, reveals a contradiction. If a dog is truly a family member, why is it acceptable to give them away when life becomes difficult? For some, this decision reflects shifting priorities. For others, it challenges the entire narrative of what it means to call a dog “family.” It’s a cultural tension that’s hard to ignore: we celebrate the unconditional loyalty of dogs, but in some cases, that loyalty isn’t returned when circumstances change.
Mothers who make the decision to rehome a pet often carry deep guilt, and many face harsh judgment. Singer Lily Allen experienced this firsthand when she returned her rescue dog due to behavioral issues. She received public backlash and even death threats, but she stood by her decision. Her focus was on her children’s safety and the dog’s well-being, even if others didn’t understand.
It’s easy to assume the worst about someone who gives up a pet, but these stories show that the truth is often more complicated. Most parents who make this decision do so after weeks or months of trying to make it work. In many cases, rehoming is an act of love. It is a recognition that the pet deserves a home where they can be fully cared for and happy. Still, the frequency of this decision forces a reevaluation of how society defines the bond between humans and their pets. If we call them family, are we willing to treat them that way even when life gets hard?
If you or someone you know is struggling with this, support is available. Veterinarians, animal behaviorists, and parenting communities can offer guidance and help explore every option. Letting go is never easy, but sometimes it is the right thing for everyone involved.
References
- Mom.com. (2022). After Baby, We Got Rid of Our Dog. Retrieved from https://mom.com/baby/after-baby-we-got-rid-our-dog
- Reddit. (n.d.). r/NewParents – Feeling overwhelmed after baby, rehoming pet. Retrieved from https://www.reddit.com/r/NewParents/comments/1j4a53q
- Reddit. (n.d.). r/Mommit – Rehoming dog after baby. Retrieved from https://www.reddit.com/r/Mommit/comments/1d0mmjn
- Reddit. (n.d.). r/Dogfree – Struggles with pet ownership post-baby. Retrieved from https://www.reddit.com/r/Dogfree/comments/13ur3i0
- The Sun. (2024). Lily Allen breaks silence over dog rehoming backlash. Retrieved from https://www.the-sun.com/entertainment/12288584/lily-allen-breaks-silence-death-threats-backlash-returning-dog
