Have a cat, can I get a dog?

[MrsMiniver]

I would love to get a dog for me and DD aged 12. The only issue is the presence of our much-loved moggie aged 9. I don't think we'd go for a puppy, rather an older rescue dog whose been tested with cats.

Does anyone have any experience of introducing a dog into a cat-only household?

[Principality]

I did it the other way round, and in troduced a 3.5 yr old lab who had never lived with other pets.

I thought he would be ok, as he was never interested in chasing small furry things when he was out.

At first he found him MEGA exciting! But eventually they calmed down and we fine together.

Just make sure the cat can always get away from the dog.

Good luck.

[ditavonteesed]

I got a dog 2 years ago when I only had 2 cats, I have since got another dog, it has taken some bribery to get the cats to stay but all get on well now.

[lisad123]

I have two cats who are 9 and 8 and a dog aged 2 years (nearly). He was excited by the cats and they removed to come downstairs for a long time. Now they just aren't fussed

[rootietootie]

My cat was 6 when we got our puppy. I thought getting a puppy was better because (a) this let the puppy grow up with the cat and (b) the cat wasn't afraid of the puppy prob because she was bigger she's not bigger now but our dog still knows who's boss. We had a second dog for a while who was older when we got him and although he did not attack our cat, he still wanted to be the dominant one and our cat did not like coming into the house whilst we had him.

[toboldlygo]

I'd advise going to one of the rescues who use foster homes for their dogs rather than ones that are kennel based - pick a dog that's already living in a home with cats and you're on to a winner. :) Many Tears is the principle one that comes to mind.

Make sure both dog and cat have space to be away from each other at first - a stair gate so the cat can be upstairs unmolested, a crate for the dog.

[DuffyMoon]

little zoo

[TheDetective]

I got a rescue lab who is 2. I had 2 cats, who are 18 months. At first, the cats hated the dog, and the dog got excited when he saw the cats.

2 months later, one cat has learned to tolerate the dog, and I can hold them next to each other without much problem, while cuddling both.

The other cat moved out.

Fucker.

I'm betting he will be back one day...

[MrsMiniver]

Well, it sounds quite do-able from what you all say! :) at little zoo. Bit worried the cat might move out but maybe it's a risk worth taking. Will check out Many Tears, thanks.

Just a question, my house is all open-plan downstairs (no doors to speak of) so couldn't keep them separate and the only escape for the cat would be out through the cat-flap. Would it be a good idea to keep the prospective dog crated while we're not around? Or of course I could keep the dog upstairs whilst we're out. Wouldn't want to confine cat to upstairs as she wouldn't be able to go outside.

[TheDetective]

I have never separated the cat or dog. The cats retreated upstairs when we got the dog. Took them a week to venture downstairs. We ended up putting litter tray and food on the landing.

The cats just like to be higher than the dog to get a good swipe.

[batsintheroof]

Our rescue greyhound passed a cat test at the kennels and didn't take very long to train. It was just teaching her that the cats were part of the family- she is actually more interested in chasing pigeons and squirrels and she gets on fine with the cats- she touches noses in greeting with one of them. We leave them all open in the house together unsupervised now.

At first the cats were terrified but we locked them in the lounge with her when we were around and hand fed them side by side. We also kept the cats inside for a few days so they didn't run away. Now the cats definitely take the piss- they sleep on her bed, eat her food and drink water from her bowl. A typical laidback grey she just looks away and lets them get on with it.