Puppy + cats?

[frokenvin]

Alright, so some of you may know about my pup Luke. He has separation anxiety which I am trying to work with. I am thinking about taking him to the vet to discuss what sort of options are available if it must come to this. However I am giving it a week or so.

I have been offered a pair of cats -- which I would dearly love to take in. my concern is to what extent it might stress Luke. I am also wondering if it might be a a positive thing for him. He came from a home of 4 humans and 2 dogs. I think this could be partly why he is so lonely and anxious when I leave my home. I don't want to make any unwise decisions concerning Luke's health... But I was thinking that he may enjoy their presence and maybe they could play together. I know cats can be sort of aloof so maybe this isn't the case... I'd just like to hear some opinions.

I am more of a homebody than one that is out of the home often. I work full time, and when I am not at work I'm usually home taking care of my pets, cooking, cleaning, playing music or writing, so time isn't really an issue. Plus I know cats are independant in their ways, of course they think they are above the human race and they don't really need us -- hah!

Anyway, any thoughts, expeiriences or advice would be appreciated : )

 

[avenlee]

I don't think it would be harmful to Luke if you decide to take these cats. As long as you can handle the job, I don't see a propblem with it. Like you pointed out, it may help Luke to have some companions.

 

[Debi]

may not be harmful at all, but then again in just my own personal experience...my cat is NOT a pal to the dogs. LOL even when I just had Addie, she never liked the cat from day one. the cat has it's special box on top of the freezer where she spends her days (she is very old, so she appreciates just sleeping anyway) are the cats used to being around dogs? that may help...but if they're not, then THEY might be stressed. poor little Luke..maybe he still just needs time to adjust. Hope his anxiety lessens...it's so nice that you worry so much. just more of my measley 2 cents...you really may not want to jump into adding 2 more pets til things are calmer. That advice is to keep YOU from more stress!

 

[Swiftwind]

When we first got Harley (at 5 weeks of age) we already had a 4 year old cat, and we did wonder how they would get on. Harley just wanted to make friends and play with our cat everyday (and she wasn't very impressed with this). It really does depend on the breed of dog and it's personality, as well as how the cats cope with having a dog around. When my cat got sick (a few weeks after we got Harley) she went and curled up in his dog bed and slept there everyday whilst she was sick. Harley (being a boisterous, bouncy puppy), left his game-playing to go and lie with our cat for every day that she was sick (she eventually had to be put down). It was truely amazing to whitness such a thing happening.

I'm sure Luke will be fine. I think it's easier if they are puppies so you can introduce him to cats early on in life. If you do decide to get the two cats, make sure you introduce them to your puppy slowly.

 

[Gustav]

We had Gus for over a year before we got Katelina and at first he was a bit funny around her but now he absolutely adores her!!!! They sleep together, they play fight, share each others food
Katelina was a kitten though and it is important not to get a cat that is afraid of dogs because if they run dogs will chase!!!! It may be a good idea to clip off the ends of the cats claws while they are getting aquainted to that your pup doesn't lose an eye!!

Gus and Katelina together

 

[Fran27]

Make sure the cats are used to dogs if they are adults, it's what matters the most. If they are not, the way they behave with other cats might be a clue. Luke is a pup so he will get used to it, I think it's awesome personally to socialize dogs with cats when they are puppies.

I have 3 cats, one is always outside, the other 2 half in and out. None of them had ever been with a dog, but they are both good characters because we put them together when they were both already adults and it went very well - they won't sleep together but don't mind being close to each other at all. So we were not too worried to bring a puppy. They didn't like it at all at first, but now they don't mind as much except when he wants to play with them, because he's so hyper he's scaring them.

Overall I think that cats and dogs can get along in 90% of the cases, although I've met cats who really hated dogs. It should be ok with a puppy though.

 

[Renee750il]

I've had cats and dogs together for most of my life, and most were introduced as adults since all of the cats and most of the dogs have been rescues. We've really never had any problems. I think part of that is because I don't expect problems. The law gets laid out from moment one that we all belong together and have to look out for each other. The only time I've brought home a kitten was when I brought Gomez home. He walked right up to big ol' Bear and head butted him in the ankle, then started rubbing all around Bear's legs. The look on Bear's face was classic, lol!

 

[avenlee]

lol Renee, I could imagine! As most of you know, we have two dogs (cocker and westie) and a highly opinionated cat, Fagan. Our past dog, Spencer (Lhasa Apso, RIP ) and Fagan got along wonderfully. Spencer was in the household before Fagan came along as a kitten. We then got Sadie and the two of them butted heads for a bit but then learned to live their respective spaces. Now, when I brought Nora in .. that's another story. They still don't quite get along, but there isn't a big rumble when they are in the same room together either. Fagan is going on 13 years old now and I think he's either learned to DEAL or just don't give a hoot what happens in the house! He is definately the KING of the house! lol

 

[kinda kookyee]

Brownie and my cat Blackie love playing together...they sleep together...play outside together...They are best friends lol....But my other cat berjuan does not like brown and makes it known...but thats just my expieriences...

 

[EliNHunter]

We had Gus for over a year before we got Katelina and at first he was a bit funny around her but now he absolutely adores her!!!! They sleep together, they play fight, share each others food
Katelina was a kitten though and it is important not to get a cat that is afraid of dogs because if they run dogs will chase!!!! It may be a good idea to clip off the ends of the cats claws while they are getting aquainted to that your pup doesn't lose an eye!!

Gus and Katelina together

Sorry... but I can't say PRECIOUS MOMENTS about GUS anymore!!!!! He is such a sweety!!!!!!!!!!! That picture is absolutely precious! I took Hunter on his nightly walk tonight and my black cat, Bitty, went the whole way with us! But Hunter would never gaze at her like that!

 

[bubbatd]

What a great shot !!!! Love abounds !!

 

[Fran27]

Sorry... but I can't say PRECIOUS MOMENTS about GUS anymore!!!!! He is such a sweety!!!!!!!!!!! That picture is absolutely precious! I took Hunter on his nightly walk tonight and my black cat, Bitty, went the whole way with us! But Hunter would never gaze at her like that!

OMG I thought only my cat did that I just can't walk Boris in the neighborhood without having her follow us all the way (if she's inside when I leave). It makes me sooo nervous because I don't dare going too far because of it, and he does tend to want to play with her, and I'm worried she will panic and run under a car.

It's pretty amusing though, people who see us are laughing their ass off