Dog Mom vs. Human Mom: Turns Out We’re All Just Tired and Covered in Drool

Think raising a puppy is nothing like caring for a newborn? Think again. When it comes to dog mom vs human mom, the line between pet and human parenting blurs around 3 A.M. Both types of moms quickly learn that the similarities between pet parents and real parents are hilariously plentiful. Is being a dog mom like being a parent? Absolutely – at least in all the ways that leave you sleep-deprived, overjoyed, and probably wearing a shirt stained with drool.

Sleepless Nights: Midnight Whines and 3 A.M. Cries

Remember when you used to get a solid eight hours of sleep? Neither do we. New puppy parents and new baby parents both become expert sleepwalkers. One might be taking a puppy out for a moonlight potty break, whispering “please just pee,” while another is cradling a crying infant at 3 A.M. Either way, nobody is sleeping in – both dog and human moms run on caffeine and love. The nights feel endless, but when your pup finally curls up or your baby drifts off on your chest, it suddenly all feels worth it.

Messy Floors and Mystery Stains

If you thought stepping on a LEGO was bad, try a soggy dog toy or rogue pacifier underfoot at dawn. One minute the floor is clean, and the next it’s a minefield of mystery stains and random debris. There’s dog kibble on the tile and maybe a little “present” on the rug, while the baby’s realm has spilled milk and spit-up on the couch.

For both pet and human parents, messes are just part of the routine. Cleaning wipes and paper towels are your best friends. By evening, you’ve likely mopped up drool and who knows what else. Baby gates and puppy pads now adorn the house, and you accept that "clean" is a very relative term.

Chew Toys vs. Teething Rings: Everything is Chewable

Raising a tiny creature means everything goes in the mouth. For puppies, that means chomping on anything in sight – furniture legs, shoes, even your fingers. Thank goodness for chew toys; otherwise, goodbye to couch cushions! Similarly, human babies will slobber on whatever they can grab. Teething rings and pacifiers are for soothing to protect and spare your belongings.

You’ll catch yourself saying “Not in your mouth!” on repeat, whether you’re talking to a fur baby or a human baby. And oh, the drool. Teething infants soak bibs in minutes, and teething puppies aren’t much better – if you’ve ever had a slobbery tennis ball dropped in your lap, welcome to the club.

Potty Training vs. Diaper Duty (Pee Happens)

A big similarity between pet parents and real parents is dealing with pee and poop daily. Potty training a puppy means rushing outside every few hours, celebrating each successful pee on the lawn, and cleaning up the occasional carpet accident. Meanwhile, human moms are on nonstop diaper duty, hoping each diaper contains the chaos.

In both cases, you become oddly unfazed by the messes. You might even trade war stories about the puppy peeing on the rug at the exact moment the baby has a blowout – eventually, you just have to laugh. You learn to keep supplies at the ready: bags and potty pads for the pup, and a diaper bag for the baby. Keep a spare outfit for yourself handy. Getting peed on is a rite of passage.

Shared Exhaustion and Unconditional Love

Why do we endure all the sleepless nights, messes, and drool-covered shirts? In a word: love. Shared exhaustion comes with equally shared joy. There’s nothing like your puppy snoring in your kid's lap after playtime, or your baby finally snoozing on your shoulder. Those quiet, sweet moments make all the chaos worthwhile. No matter how tired you are, your heart is so full it could burst.

Science backs this up – one Harvard-affiliated study found a mom’s brain responds similarly to her dog and her baby. The bond and protective instinct are remarkably alike, whether your “baby” has two legs or four. We even celebrate milestones with the same glee – whether it’s a puppy mastering “sit” or a baby saying a first word, we’re cheering like we’ve won the lottery.

Conclusion

In the end, whether you’re a dog mom or a human mom, we’re all just tired and covered in drool (and we wouldn’t have it any other way). If your little one has two legs or four paws, you’ve joined a special club of sleepless, devoted caregivers. Embrace the chaos, swap stories with fellow moms of all kinds, and remember – a sense of humor and an extra cup of coffee go a long way. Here’s to all the moms, human and fur alike: you’re doing a great job (keep that spare shirt handy!).