My husband and I are in a bit of a moral dillema right now. We adopted our female cat with the impression that she "tolerates" dogs. This is what our local humane society told us. We are planning on getting a dog, but after observing her behavior, it's become obvious to us that she does not tolerate dogs. She attacks without provocation. On the contrary, their mere presence seems to be provocation enough. To top things off, our male (who is normally peaceful, and will hide from anything that comes at him) has become VERY protective of her. The two of them tag-teamed our neighbor's dog last night, scratching her nose up pretty (she's a Burnese Mountain Dog, too....not exactly small). So now we don't know what to do. Should we give her back to the HS even though her chances of being adopted would be slim? (She's 3 years old). Or should we try and find a home for her ourselves? I worry about giving her to someone who would declaw her and such.
2006-09-30 05:51:19 · 3 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Cats
Or should we keep her and see how things go with a dog? I'm concerned that it may make the living situation for all three animals intolerable. Please help.
2006-09-30 05:52:07 · update #1
Of course they're territorial....they're cats! I got this much as I'm not a moron when it comes to cat behavior.
And I wasn't planning on getting a puppy. It's not entirely out of the question, but I would prefer to get an adult dog since they don't have much of a chance at getting a home.
By the way, my cats attack my parents' puppy, too. I'm not sure a puppy would be any safer. And even if I got a supremely calm dog, I'm not sure how long it would STAY calm with these two on its butt all the time.
2006-09-30 06:07:43 · update #2
I had a 1 year old cat and my sister has a small adult dog. She and her dog stayed with us for a few months. My cat, Emma, was not too happy and she scratched him once. After a while she accepted he was there. She did not play with him but she did not runaway when he came near. Sometimes she humped up her back and hissed at him. She has her house which is off the ground and he sat on the floor.
2006-09-30 06:15:42 · answer #1 · answered by travelguruette 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Get a young dog. Someone who doesn't want to be King of the house. Make sure he's calm or peaceful. DON'T give her back. That would be terrible because your male cat probably is in love with your female and if she left he would be depressed and might not eat.
2006-09-30 06:01:23 · answer #2 · answered by lolz 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Your pets sound territorial.
If you bring home a puppy, both cats will be like parents to it.
2006-09-30 06:00:12 · answer #3 · answered by nora22000 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋