I didn't have Dandy and Guinness, when Christian was first born...but i did have RB cat, Gabe. I always closed the door when he was napping, or sleeping for the night. I didn't want any chances of Gabe jumping in the crib...not that i thought he would smother him, b/c i didn't want the baby disturbed, when sleeping. After Christian got older, and could move his head on his own, a few months old, or whatever, then i didnt monitor it as much. And when he was much older, i had gotten Dandy and Guinness, and he was fine with them, infact, there favorite place to sleep was, in the drawer under his crib They never even tried to get in the top part of the crib Just watch and see where they like to sleep. I was a nervous first time mom, and didnt even like him sleeping with stuffed animals or too many blankets, b/c I was afraid of them smothering his face...it is always better to be safe when it comes to newborns