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Shanabana
Citizen
Username: Shanabana
Post Number: 142
Registered: 10-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, January 26, 2006 - 4:41 pm: | 
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The shelter was not much help with this one, and in fact the people seemed wary of trying. But, I want to get our family a dog within the next year or so.
We have 2 little kids (2 and 5) and 4 cats.
Has anyone ever gotten a dog with cats in the house? I know this can be a disaster cause the cats get mad. Should I get a really young puppy so the cats train it? or wait around to adopt a dog that's already been with cats? I'd love to hear any experiences, and also if anyone is having puppies soon, or knows of any (preferably mutts), please pl me (even if this is later in the year, and you happen to remember...). Thanks! |
SoOrLady
Citizen
Username: Soorlady
Post Number: 2925
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, January 26, 2006 - 4:52 pm: |
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My cats did not enjoy the company of the puppy that invaded their space. I'm sure there are things I could have done to make the trasition easier.. but silly me... I just assumed that all would be well. Read up! |
Shanabana
Citizen
Username: Shanabana
Post Number: 145
Registered: 10-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, January 26, 2006 - 4:54 pm: |
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SoOrLady, did they ever get used to the dog, or did you give it up? |
Kibbegirl
Citizen
Username: Kibbegirl
Post Number: 334
Registered: 5-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, January 26, 2006 - 5:03 pm: |
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Shanabana, we incorporated my cat with my husband's dog in B'klyn and this is the method we took. In moving to B'klyn, I had my cat in a pet taxi. The day of my move, I put the pet taxi in the living room and allowed fiancee's dog (now hubby) to sniff, look, etc. My cat was not thrilled and she hissed and arched and did the whole bad-••• cat thingy. But...as the day wore on and moving continued, things calmed down. The dog walked away from pet taxi and the cat simmered down. Late in the night, we decided to let my cat out (she had to eat and potty) and of course the dog followed. My cat hissed and batted at him a few times, and he retreated. I also would leave my cat out during the day to get used to her new apartment -- and the dog. It took a week or so, but they learned to love each other. No blood shed or tears. |
Shawna
Citizen
Username: Lucies_mom
Post Number: 82
Registered: 10-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, January 26, 2006 - 6:17 pm: |
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I don't know what would happen, but my uneducated guess would be that, if anything, the cats would gang up on the dog.
While in college, I had 2 housemates each with a cat. We tried the customary intro with one in the pet crate, but they never got along.
It either works or doesn't, but you'll know within the first couple of days. |
Crazy_quilter
Citizen
Username: Crazy_quilter
Post Number: 137
Registered: 2-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, January 26, 2006 - 7:26 pm: |
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we had three older cats. we got a puppy. One cat is still rarely seen upstairs and gets chased every time he makes an appearance. One cat (who is now on her death bed), made friends with the dog and often has been seen snuggling with him. The third took a couple of years and now will walk around the dog, but doesn't get real close.
I think the cats are more of a threat to the dog, you have to watch for their claws and the dog's eyes.
But it can be done! |
peteglider
Citizen
Username: Peteglider
Post Number: 1742
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, January 26, 2006 - 8:18 pm: |
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When we introduced 2 new cats into our household with 1 very senior cat, we were advised to keep the new kittens in one room -- and let the 3 cats check each other's smells out from under the door.
Then after a day to switch them -- so they could sniff away like crazy.
Seemed to work reasonably well. Maybe something similar introducing a new dog, too.
GOOD LUCK
Pete |
Meandtheboys
Citizen
Username: Meandtheboys
Post Number: 2779
Registered: 12-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, January 26, 2006 - 8:45 pm: |
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I had four younger cats and introduced a 2-month-old puppy. We walked in the house, the puppy walked up to the oldest cat, and she swatted him in the nose. The puppy immediately understood his place in the house and things have been just fine ever since. I think we initially kept the dog confined to the kitchen, while the cats could roam freely. They all got used to each other and have peacefully co-existed for 9 years (we're actually down to one cat now).
I think it helps to bring in a puppy who's smaller than the cats. Then everyone figures out their place and the dog is raised around the cats. Sometimes I believe my dog thinks he's a cat.
What's funny is that my dog still goes slightly bonkers whenever he sees cats outside, or cats that are not ours. |
Shanabana
Citizen
Username: Shanabana
Post Number: 147
Registered: 10-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, January 26, 2006 - 10:13 pm: |
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Aah, so getting an older dog that has lived with another cat before might not work because they're not "family." A puppy it'll be. |
greenetree
Supporter
Username: Greenetree
Post Number: 6642
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, January 26, 2006 - 10:29 pm: |
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It depends on the temperment of your cats. You can kind of figure out how it will go. The Alpha cat will probably put the pup in its place. The scaredy-cat will depend on how "energetic" the dog is.
We babysit regularly for a neighbor's dog, who comes to stay with us. Our very regal Alpha (who is now gone) used to terrorize the dog with a glance. The dog tried to sniff her once or twice & learned to leave the cat alone. The Monster, who is curious and fearless, loves the dog. They hang together & would play more if they could figure out how to do it without the dog barking. The dog used to chase our scaredy-cat for "no reason" and get scolded until I caught the scaredy-cat taunting the dog into chasing her. I scolded the cat & it doesn't happen anymore.
My mom brought a very boistrous puppy home about two years ago. The dog couldn't play without pouncing and was a big pup (Labradoodle). Mom's friendly cat would rub up against the dog thru the gate when the dog was gated in the kitchen, but her scaredy-cat never got near the dog. I had to place the dog in a new home after 18 months, and in that time, they never really acclimated. I would make sure that you get a dog breed that is a bit calmer or has a temperment suited to cats.
I'm also not sure that I agree that an older, cat-experienced dog is out. If your cats are relatively calm, they will adjust if not chased or pounced on. I'd find out how the dog got along with the cats it used to live with. |
Tom Reingold
Supporter
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 12099
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, January 26, 2006 - 11:55 pm: |
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It depends on the cat(s) and the dog. If the dog is aggressive or the cat is too scared, then perhaps it won't work. Basically, you have to make sure the cat rules the dog.
We had our cat before our dog. We got a greyhound who had never lived in a home and hadn't even had much contact with humans. He didn't know how to go up or down stairs when we brought him home. I put each paw on the steps. The cat had a habit of greeting us at the door. She came to the door and found herself staring at this tremendously large but shy dog. She didn't detect his shyness. Or maybe she did. She walked up to him slowly and batted him right in the nose, thus establishing her dominance.
It's been two and a half years now. They still don't like each other, but they avoid each other. They carved up the house into two territories, which hardly overlap at all. It's mostly peaceful. Sometimes he accidentally walks too close to her, and she attacks him. Sometimes, she just gives him the evil eye from across the room, and he barks and lunges, but he hasn't ever hurt her.
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Wendyn
Supporter
Username: Wendyn
Post Number: 2665
Registered: 9-2002
| | Posted on Friday, January 27, 2006 - 8:09 am: |
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I'd be wary about getting a puppy only because it is very difficult to try to train a dog with a 2 and 5 year old in the house. I'd rather go with an older, mellower dog.
I'm no help on the cat/dog thing though. |
Tom Reingold
Supporter
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 12106
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Friday, January 27, 2006 - 8:30 am: |
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Wendyn makes an excellent point. And there are lots of deserving adult dogs who make wonderful pets. If you're curious to know about retired racing greyhounds, let me know. They are very mild mannered dogs. Our greyhound barely sheds fur, never chews stuff up, doesn't drool, and doesn't bark. And he needs less exercise than a typical dog does.
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