I've had 2 cats for over 15 years and recently we've bought a miniature schnauzer puppy, which would now have been here for one year in a few days. Within the first month of bringing the dog home, i assume the stress was too much for the one cat and it died but the other cat stuck around. The cat and dog fight all day long so we keep the cat locked in the basement when the dog sleeps (it's a big basement with a kitty litter box and food, water, etc... Not like we're completely ignoring it) and we let him come up during the day, only to see them fight. Recently the cat has been very annoying, shitting on the floor, not going in its box, and eating the dogs food. I want to get rid of the cat but i know that if i gave it to someone it would just be devastated, however i do have the option to put it to sleep.
Any ideas?
And no, getting rid of the dog is not an option at all and training them to get along is impossible.
2006-08-22 15:44:16 · 24 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Cats
In response:
Im not asking if i should get rid of the cat because its old, it just doesnt seem fair to be locked in the basement and attacked by a dog when it comes upstairs to see the family.
2006-08-22 15:48:27 · update #1
After reading the answers, the "putting to sleep" option is obviously out of the question and i can't believe i even considered it. It sounds like putting the kitty door to the basement would be a good idea and punishment for the dog can't hurt when it fights with the cat.
2006-08-22 16:03:11 · update #2
To the people who say put the animal up for adoption, i dont see that as an option... For one, they could put the cat to sleep without dignity, at least if I did it I could give it a proper goodbye however I will not be taking that option. I also know that the cat could not adjust to a new family, it has been with me his entire life, in his own environment. I have looked for personal friends to take him but no one would.
2006-08-22 16:09:22 · update #3
You should install a kitty door to the basement and get some serious obedience help for the dog. In time they will get along together if you train the dog properly.
It is not fair to give up your car or put it to sleep. At 15 years old? How cruel. The cat is upset with you for good reason.
We had one dog that chased (not hurt) our cats, and we didn't replace any cats until after the dog died.
But we sure didn't put an "oldster" to sleep so we could have a new puppy!
2006-08-22 19:46:44 · answer #1 · answered by Ragdoll Kitty 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is a really sad question. You say that you have had the cat for over 15 years, do you know that cats really don't live that much longer. It really sounds like your brought the dog in to "kill" the cats, as you said "i assume the stress was too much for the one cat and it died but the other cat stuck around." (that is your quote)
You must not have done proper intros since they can not be in the same room or even level of the house at all at the same time. You really haven't done anything right for this poor elder cat. You keep it locked up and then let him out for the day to fight with the puppy. What do you expect, for him to be Mr Happy Cat?
When cats go to the bathroom on the floor it is for one of two reasons usually. One health reasons, even though I'm sure taking him to the vet is a little out of the question, and 2 behavior, you lock him up, you have changed the life he had had for over 15 years, his pal died, and all you say is sorry, in the basement you go, and sorry, nope, not trying to help you at all.
Just do him a favor, he wouldn't be devastated if anyone gave him a LOVING home, you don't have to kill him for that reason, you don't really care for him, so let someone else give him the love he needs in his last couple of years here.
2006-08-22 15:56:04 · answer #2 · answered by scare_all 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
we had the same problem and we made a kitty door to the basement so the cat would have a dog free haven and we also blocked the upstairs so the dog could go up there either. this made life alot less stressful for the cat. also i doubt a 15 year old cat is trying to fight with a dog and its not impossible by any means to teach a dog not to chase a cat it just takes a lot of effort which you owe to your cat. theres no excuse to ditch one animal because you found a new one you like better.
2006-08-22 15:58:45 · answer #3 · answered by rose45 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
All I can say is that when you adopt a pet, be it a cat, a dog, or something else, it is your responsibility to care for it until it passes. Too many people will adopt an animal, and when things get too difficult, they resort to making descisions such as what you are suggesting. I have this very lovely cat that I adopted from a local animal shelter, the previous owner just decided they did not want a cat anymore, so they took her to the vet and asked him to put her to sleep. The vet did not see the sense in that so gave her to the animal shelter. I came along, and viola! I have a wonderful pet! But what if the vet had put her to sleep? I would be missing out on a great pet, and my Natalie would be no more.
2006-08-22 15:51:22 · answer #4 · answered by littleflower_57 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Your right. I doesn't seem fare to keep the cat locked down stairs. And i can see were your coming from. Really. But That cat has been with you for 15 years and it would really be horrible to put it to sleep just because it's gotten annoying. I'm not saying your a bad person cuz i understand. Besides.... i luv cats and i have been around them since the day i was born to right now and the way it's been acting... i don't think it has very long left. So why not just keep it until "the day" comes so your it wont feel abandoned or whatever.
A long answer but take it into consideration, please.
2006-08-22 15:55:45 · answer #5 · answered by eezypeezy92 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It sounds like the cat's quality of life has suffered since the dog arrived. Keeping it in the basement all the time seems a bit cruel and it is showing by it's actions that the fighting with the dog is causing it lots of stress.
You could check with a dog trainer to see if there's a way to get the dog to accept the cat better.
I think it is time to find a new home for the cat, where it can be the sole pet and be appreciated.
2006-08-22 15:53:09 · answer #6 · answered by Ginger/Virginia 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
maybe you should keep the dog outside. dogs are way more nasty than cats are anyway. well normally. you should of thought about these problems before you decided to adopt a dog. older cats don't do so well with new comers, especially dogs. it's not fair to keep the cat locked up like that just because of the dog. the cat was there before the dog was. how would you feel if someone else invaded your territory and then you suddenly got thrown into a basement? hmmm...? it's your responsibility for you to take care of both animals. I believe that you just giving the cat away is a very selfish act on your part. you're not dealing with the situation very good.
2006-08-22 15:53:00 · answer #7 · answered by *miss lily* 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
no offense,but it seams to me u don't want to get rid of either one.but don't give up on ur cat just because it is old,It was there first so don't get rid of it,as for as the cat eat ting the dog food they all do that .if the dog had a chance at the cat food it would eat it .now for pooping in the floor ,scoop the litter every day and that will stop,if not toss the cat out side during the day it will come home at night.
2006-08-22 15:57:06 · answer #8 · answered by Candy 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
if you had 2 children that faught all the time would you give one away? a pet is a life long commitment, it's not fair to end the cats life because a new puppy moved into it's house..if you must remove the cat from it's home of 15 years find a no kill shelter , or maybe search for a seinor to adopt the cat. i would put the dog in a crate & give the cat more time " out of jail"
2006-08-22 15:53:10 · answer #9 · answered by sasha_mocha 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Lets see you had the cat first and for many years and you think you have the option to kill it because YOU would be devastated that it might get a new home where it could LIVE...Let someone who deserves to have a cat take it and do animals a favor and don't get anymore.
2006-08-22 15:58:15 · answer #10 · answered by smile4u 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋