Actress Jennifer Lawrence recently opened up about her changing feelings toward dogs since becoming a mother, revealing that a traumatic incident involving her son has completely shifted her perspective on pets. The Hunger Games star, 35, shared her experience during a screening of her new film, Die, My Love, at 92nd Street Y in New York City on January 7, 2026.

Jennifer Lawrence on Motherhood and Pets

Lawrence, who shares her children—Cy, 3, and a second child born in 2024—with husband Cooke Maroney, explained that after welcoming her children, she decided to give up her dog, Princess Pippi Longstocking, whom she adopted in 2017.

“Dogs became so scary,” Lawrence admitted during the discussion. “It’s almost like I don’t recognize dogs right now, like I just see them as a threat.”

The actress recounted a frightening experience in which a dog bit her son, an incident that left her extremely cautious about having dogs around her children.

“One of them bit my son, and that made me just wanna obliterate every dog,” Lawrence said, highlighting the intensity of her protective instincts as a mother.

Now, Lawrence is a proud cat owner, doting on her feline companion, Fred, whom she praises for his quirky and funny personality.

“Cats are so misunderstood,” she explained. “They are a——- and people who don’t like that about cats aren’t getting that—that is what is so funny.” She described Fred’s antics, noting how he seems to perfectly time his entrances into the room, creating comical coincidences that delight Lawrence and her husband.

Jennifer Lawrence’s New Film: Die, My Love

During the same event, Lawrence promoted her latest project, Die, My Love, co-starring Robert Pattinson. The psychological drama, directed by Lynne Ramsay, explores a woman experiencing extreme emotional turmoil, potentially linked to postpartum depression and psychosis, against the backdrop of her husband’s suspected infidelity.

The film received critical acclaim, earning a nine-minute standing ovation at its premiere during the 78th Cannes Film Festival in May 2025.

Balancing Motherhood and Career

Lawrence’s candid comments about her feelings toward dogs reflect the broader challenges many parents face when balancing personal passions and family safety. While she once enjoyed having a dog in her household, her children’s safety now takes precedence. The actress’s decision to embrace cat ownership over dogs underscores how parenthood can fundamentally change one’s perspective on pets and domestic life.

Lawrence continues to navigate both professional success and motherhood, showing that even Hollywood stars face relatable parenting dilemmas. Fans of the actress can expect to see her dynamic range in Die, My Love, while also getting a glimpse of her personal life, her protective instincts as a mother, and her love for her cat, Fred.