A plan should have been put in place for the cats just in case and they should have feed the cats before going to the hospital and left out extra water etc.

My husband did the same thing when our daughter was born. He left to feed the dog and put his contacts in. I was not a happy camper. Surely the dog and his contacts could have waited till after the baby was born. It was in the morning and the dog did not always get breakfast everyday anyway.
My view is the dog could have waited

I can just imagine the comments about the smell and the mess if the cats had been left for 72 or more hours, which can happen with no food or water and a very full litter box – there was more than 1 cat involved so the house would never have got rid of the awful smell.
Seems to me the dad was damned if he did and damned if he didn’t.
There were two adults who decided not to organise anyone to look after the cats while the wife was in labour, not just one.
I hope things work out in the end as it is just as distressing these days for the father not to have been at the birth, too, from what I hear.

Wow. Cats over wife in active labor. Definitely could have had the cats looked after. It’s probably something I would resent forever even if I tried not to. Cannot undo what’s done. Would make for an hilarious story when the child’s older though I guess

Simply, I think he should have asked someone else to drop in and feed the pets.

I wouldn’t have been very impressed if my hubby did this. Yes they have a responsibility to their pets but surely they gave them some food and checked their water BEFORE they left for the hospital? I’m sure the pets would have been fine if he was gone for a few more hours and if he was so concerned then he should have organised for someone else to go over there.
He’s missed one of the most important moments in their lives,

Oh yeah, I’d be cranky too. The cats should not take precedence over his wife at a time like that. Someone else could have fed the cats.

Priorities show in thimes like these! But we live to learn and do better. Just say sorry.

Yes the cats needed to be fed but they probably should have organised someone else to do it. I can’t understand why they didnt let him in when he got back though?

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  • • Lovesthecuddles replied
    • 13 Mar 2023 , 9:58 pm

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  I was confused by this too. My husband left and got dinner during my labour and returned. Unless she was in for a ceaserian I don’t see why they said no.

I think the husband should have lefts the cats in someone’s care and should have been at his wife’s side

As any other responsible pet owner would have done, they should have organised someone to come and care for their pets once she went into labour.

Cats can survive without water and food for sometime. He should not have left. If he was that concerned he should have called a family friend or neighbour to assist.

Definitely should not have left her for pets! Also if family members were around waiting outside why couldn’t a family member go and feed and clean the pets? Obviously wouldn’t have hurt to ask.

Just like you plan for a birth …so should you also plan for the animals. So they are shy so what…they can hid away and the person sent to fill their water bowl and feed bowl can do just that and when they leave then the cats can eat. Also I am not sure why the hospital did not let you back with your wife straight after your return? You missed one of the most important events of your life …sooo stupid of you.

A plan was needed to have a friend or neighbour look after the cats. That is something I would have planned for.

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  • • mom93821 replied
    • 13 Mar 2023 , 5:14 am

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  There has to be a plan for every possibility in life, it makes sense. Unfortunately, poor planning has poor outcomes in so many situations.

Just a bad call on both sides. He thought he had time, she agreed and the nurses wouldn’t let him back in which is very sad. What’s done is done. Spend energy on being a family and boding.

Did he explain to her that he got back in time but the nurses made him wait outside with everyone else? I know she would have been upset but I’m sure she wouldn’t have been happy to go home and find that something had happened to the cats. The smell would have been hard to get rid of if the litter boxes were full and they started doing their business on the floor. Hopefully things will get better once his wife is feeling more comfortable and relaxed. Wish them all the best on their new addition

They needed a back up plan for someone else to assist with feeding the pets.

First baby, they thought they had much more time and the wife encouraged him to go. To be honest if he caref about the cats eating I’m sure he will be a great caring father to his baby. If she was having contractions and in active labour then yeah, stay. But I probably would’ve told my partner to go too and thought they would have enough time to get back.

He should have stayed. Obviously. The cats could have handled a few hours for goodness sake! I get that there’s 4 of them but my 1 cat’s water lasts a whole week- they don’t drink much. I also even fast her once a week, which is actually a healthy thing to do. He needs to get his priorities straight.