Cats and dogs...

[Eliza22]

I'm the owner of a beautiful Mackeral tabby girl. Had her as a kitten and she's now 4. She's a law unto herself, comes and goes but can be sooooo affectionate, when she wants. In short, love her to pieces.

I've debated for years on wether to get a dog. As a child we had a golden retriever who ate the arm of the sofa and my mum (I was about 6) said she had to go. I'm 50 now and still want a "Heidi" dog (the retriever). I'm really worried though that my cat might leave home. That's it, really. Any advice? Is it "do-able"? If I don't do it now, ill be too bloody old to walk it!

[cozietoesie]

I wouldn't worry about a cat and a retriever living together. A retriever is the sort of dog who should be easily dominated by a feisty cat.

The only initial problem you might have is that young/puppy retrievers are so flipping exuberant, the cat might just get a bit fed up with it trying to eat its tail, do whirligigs in the middle of the sitting room etc so you'd have to provide the cat with a safe place to go to get away from the dog.

Maybe a stairgate (if you have an upstairs) or a doorgate which the dog couldn't get through would be the thing - and leave yummy food and water for the cat somewhere up there. Plus lots of extra TLC for the cat and plenty training for the dog - which you'll need for a retriever anyway. And be round when they're together at the beginning to supervise.

[pigsDOfly]

Just what cozietoesie said really. Keep the puppy on the lead when you introduce them and take it slowly.

I had 2 17yo cats when I got my puppy. The male cats has since had to be pts - nothing to do with the dog. But my male cat and the puppy formed a strong attachment and would sleep curled against each other. Female cat is more independent generally and just about tolerates the dog.

As long as the cat has places to go where the dog can't get to her it should work. Your cat is still relatively young so should adapt.

I think the secret is to set boundaries for the dog from the beginning, so he knows that he is not allowed to chase her, but she will let him know if he's annoying her.

About the biggest problem I've found is where to put the cat's food bowl. I currently feed my cat on the dining room table, not ideal, but if I put the bowl on the floor the dog creeps across the floor like a panther and dives in and gobbles up the food as soon as poor cat lifts her head.

It is definitely doable. Do post an update to let us know how you get on.

Good luck.

[sashh]

memories of

Golden retriever walking around oblivious to the cat hitching a lift by sticking her claws into the dog's tail.

A dog nose pushed through a stair gate with a cat on the other side waiting to bite/claw the stupid dog.

Cat and dog 'hunting' together in the kitchen, the cat on the worktop the dog on the floor and spiders/flies being battered between them.

Make sure puppy cannot get to the cat's food. Restrict puppy to one room for a while.

[Eliza22]

Thanks all . Do-able then!

[cozietoesie]

Definitely do-able. Although with all the walking you'll need to do with a young retriever you'll likely end up as Eliza11 !

[Eliza22]

Cozie will I lose a few pounds? Hope so!

[cozietoesie]

Retrievers need a lot of exercise. Depending on your starting point, it could be few stone .

[Eliza22]

Erm..... How much exercise?

[cozietoesie]

Probably best to ask on the dog board. I used to have collies and they could get a bit out of sorts unless they had a minimum 2 hours a day over the piece. (So when I was on sole walking duties - say on a morning in early January when the rain and sleet were coming down - it required a certain resolution.)

Nothing like having a cat when it's mud and -2 outside. (Although I'll grant you the joy of a country lane on an early summer morning with a hound gambolling beside you.)

[sashh]

But the thing with retrievers is they retrieve.

Anything, whether you want them to or not.

So you can get well wrapped up, get to the park and throw a ball for an hour.

[cozietoesie]

That's quite true, sashh. You'll get tired of 'Fetch' long before they do!

Wise words there, Eliza.

[Eliza22]

Good idea.... Will post in dogs bit! But thanks so much, all!