Cats & Dogs!!?

Question

So i have two dogs here at home rite now...and am considering adopting a cat...but i'm worried that the dogs will feel weird with a new animal in the house..what do you guys think...o...and another thing..if i do adopt a cat i know they are pretty much are self taught to go in the litter box...but say i want to let him out into the yard...i don't have a fenced in yard...will the cat be likely to come back home on his own too?

Answer 1

I have 3 dogs and a cat. At first, the cat might be a little nervous or feirce around the dogs, but after a while, they get used to it. Also, I would not let a cat outside for at least a month, so they can get used to the home. Otherwise, they might not come back because they don't know where to go to. If you really want to put it outside, perhaps try an outdoor pen that pet stores sell for dogs and put the cat in that. I hope you have fun with your pet-to-be!

Answer 2

A couple of things:
1) You'll want to introduce your new friend to your dogs slowly. Start by giving the cat his or her own room (guest room? bathroom?) so that the dogs and cat can hear and smell each other, before actually being introduced. Make sure that you keep all interactions short and supervised at first. And don't expect them to be best friends. It took my dog and cat about 2 months to get used to each other and they still aren't buds. However, I just got a new kitten and my cat is having more of a problem with that, so you never know...

Another random piece of advice: When I first introduced my dog and cat, the dog was a bit jumpy and really just wanted to play with the cat. However, when she (the dog) would lunge towards the cat, the cat would go into defense mode, which would then upset the dog. For the first few interactions, I used a muzzle on the dog and used nail tips (easy to apply, glued on nail tips) for the cat to prevent any injuries without making anyone feel restricted or confined.

2) It's rare to have a cat that doesn't figure out how to use the litter box once you show him/her where it is. If they are going outside of the box, it is more than likely a reaction to some change in their environment or a medical issue.

3) If you want to let your cat go outside, make sure that you do not declaw him/her (don't do it regardless, it's cruel) and make sure you are UTD on all your vaccines, including FIV. In addition to keeping your cat healthy, you will be doing your dogs a favor since anything your cat attracts outside can be brought inside. More than likely if your cat feels safe and secure in your home, he/she will come back. Of course, if you are in an area prone to traffic or wildlife, you are facing certain hazards. Cat leashes are quite popular now and I recommend taking your friend out supervised (and on a leash). Perhaps you can go outside on a nice day and read a book while your new friend lounges in the sun --you can even bring the dogs in on the fun.

Best of luck...

Answer 3

It's a good idea to muzzle the dogs when you first introduce the cat until you know how they will react.

A babygate placed a few inches above the floor is an excellent tool, as the cat should have an escape route incase of a chase.

For the first little while, I would suggest only allowing the dogs and cat to socialize under your close supervision.

As for letting your cat outside, yes it will know how to come back.

But I would ask you to reconsider this and keep the cat indoors. Outdoor cats are just not safe in today's world. The average lifespan of an outdoor cat is 3 years. It could be hit by a car, contract any number of feline diseases (1 in 4 outdoor cats have feline lukemia), it could be hurt by wild animals or intentional poisoning. The list goes on and on.

Ignore the roars, keep him indoors.

Answer 4

We used to have a lot of dogs at home. And then I started adopting stray cats. At first, our dogs were always angry with the cats, they used to chase them. What I did was "punish" the dogs. Whatever it is that you do to "tell" the dogs that what they did were bad. And then after some time, they got used to our cats and they don't chase them anymore. Of course, when there are other stray cats around, they still chase the other cats.

With the 3 cats I adopted, they always come back home. I guess there was this thing that a cat can always find its way home. Unless of course you take them somewhere really far.

Answer 5

Give the animals some time to get used to each other. The cat is going to be very protective of itself in the beginning, or it's going to hide. Mine hid under my covers only coming out to eat/drink and use the litter box for two weeks. The dogs may think it's a new and exciting toy. Never leave the dogs and cats alone together. At least not until the cat is used to your home. Then, always make sure that the cat can get away from the dogs at all times. Wether it be going ot the basement, outside, or a room the dogs can't get into (don't trust your dogs and gates unless they're tiny dogs that won't climb).

My cats always have an escape. I have a JRT mix and my cats would both be dead by now if they couldn't get away.

As far as letting your cat outside, it's fine. I hope you're not on a real busy street. Even a fenced yard would not keep a cat in. If you're going to let your cat out, don't force it, let it get used ot your home inside first so that it is comfortable enough to come back to you. Then leave the option open for the cat. (kitty door or open windowt he dogs can't get out) Make sure you keep your cat up ot date on everything in case it decides to hunt. You don't want any diseases. Also microchip your cat.

As far as getting them to come home, I feed my girl a can of food every morning in addition to her dry food. She's home every morning.

PS, a lot of people are going to give you a hard time about your cat killing birds and chipmunks, tell you that your cat is going to get killed being outside and that it's cruel to let it out. This is a decision only you can make. It depends a lot on where you live as well as how happy the cat is living with you. And as far as they killing goes, "survival of the fittest". The cat may not need to eat a chipmunk or a bird, but they do, and it won't hurt them as long as they're current with all vaccinations. Tough luck for the smaller rodent. I don't know why people make such a fuss. No one cares when people kill skunks they find on their property now do they?

Good luck and I hope my long-winded answer helps.

Answer 6

Cats are more reliable to come home than a dog is however it is not good for them. Cats can attract all kinds of diseases from being and indoor/outdoor cat. (My mom's cat just died from Feline Immunity Deficiency, which is like cat AIDS, it was something he contracted from being an indoor/outdoor cat) Cats who are strictly indoors can live to be around 20, while in my experience cats that live indoor/outdoor lives usually live less than 10 years. So you see it is very hard on them even if they do have a home to come to. Which is why it is better to have a strictly indoor cat.

In regards to your dogs accepting a cat... that all depends. Have they been around a cat before? Do you even know if they like cats? If so you will have to get a cat that will like dogs. Also if your dogs are big you will have to be careful that the dogs do not injure the cat while playing.

Also cats do not go to the litter box on there own. This is a learned behavior. Cats naturally have the instinct to eliminate in sandy areas such as litter. They do not automatically do it however, but sense they like eliminating in sandy areas it is usually easier to potty train a cat than it is a dog.

Answer 7

I would suggest adopting a kitten, because the dogs kind of take watch out for it then as it grows, but if you adopt a grown cat thats fine too. Honestly, it depends on the cat whether of not it can go outside and return. All the cats i have had have always returned, even if they were gone for a few hours.

Answer 8

It depends on the cat! Kittens are more likely to adjust to dogs; if you adopt an adult, be sure you get one who gets along with dogs. Introduce them gradually and be sure the dogs get lots of attention so they don't feel left out.

And please don't let your cat outside unless you have it on a leash. Cats are notorious for wandering off and never coming back, and you most likely will never know what happened. Outdoor cats have much shorter lives than indoor cats and often meet horrible deaths from being run over, killed by dogs, starvation, etc. If you do let your cat out, be sure you have it microchipped so if it ends up in a shelter they can contact you, and have a good photo and all of its medical records handy so when it gets lost you will be able to file an accurate report.

Answer 9

don't let your cat out, it's cruel. unless you are right there with it. i have 2 cats and a dog and the cats came 1st. my animals get along good. sometimes my dog chases them but he's small and so the cats beat him up if he messes with them to much. what i would suggest is that you only allow the dogs around the cat when you are supervising them. dogs can and will kill the cat if given the chance. you have to let the cat and dogs acquainted with each other before you leave them alone. otherwise you could come home to a bloody mess. and don't declaw the cat because that's the only defense it will have against the dogs. after a few swats the dogs will learn not to mess with the cat.

Answer 10

It might take awhile for the animals to feel comfurtable together but in time they will learn to get along. About the cat coming back it depends on the atidued of the cat and if you have showed him the love he wants. Also I would train it to stay in the yard.