How can I help my dog-loving husband see the value in cats?

Question

My husband is willing to think about getting a cat, even though he has never really warmed to them (I am a feline-lover). I have been lucky to have great cats, but want to give him some web sites, things to read, things to do (maybe visit a shelter) to help him warm up to cats. Do you have any suggestions for how to help him?

Answer 1

I had a boyfriend who didn't like cats either until he lived with me and my cat Gracie. He learned to love cats even after we broke up he got a cat of his own. I also had a female friend who lived in my building who claimed to hate cats. After she got to know Gracie she also learned to love cats. Cats are so loving and affectionate. Just go ahead and get a kitten and I am sure once your husband lives with the cat he will be transformed into a cat lover.I've seen it happen to many times.Cat haters have just never known a cat.

Answer 2

Hi Meghan, The first thing I can think of to tell you is that when you discuss this with your husband, make sure you don't go on and on about well, dogs are so bad like this and cats are so good like this. If you focus mostly on the good points of a cat he will be more open rather than talking about dog's bad points. (especially if he is really a canine fan) I would start by discussing the independence factor. Also, don't constantly bug him, I'd just ask him if he wouldn't mind discussing it and considering it when he's ready. The other thing is to make sure you get a very friendly cat. If he likes dogs he'll get along better with a cat that wants to snuggle lots and really enjoys people. This is a reason to get an adult cat so you can see personality ahead of time. Cats really require very little work, so I'd make sure he knows it won't be huge committment to get a cat. If he's afraid of kittens tearing the house to pieces, suggest adopting an older cat from an animal shelter. ( http://www.petfinder.com ) If he's nervous about a cat in heat or a male chasing females, make sure you commit to spaying your animal early. (This should be done no matter what) If he doesn't want furniture wrecked, explain about scratching posts, consider adopting a declawed cat (I don't recommend getting a cat and then declawing it, it can have side effects such as litter box issues) or try soft paws. ( http://www.softpaws.com ) If he doesn't want cat hair all over the house just make sure you adopt a shorthair, brush your cat, and maybe don't allow your cat on certain furniture. These are sites I've found about getting a cat/dog/both in general. http://www.helpguide.org/life/pets.htm and http://www.paw-rescue.org/PAW/PETTIPS/DogTip_ChoosingAndGettingAPet.php
If you already have a dog and he's nervous about cat/dog tensions there are many ways to help with that, the biggest being time and the second biggest being getting a cat a tree so they can feel safe away from the dog. Hope it works out! I can understand wanting to have a cat in the house.

Answer 3

Meghan - I was in the same situation. It's not that my husband hated cats, but he was definitely a dog person. However, we adopted a cat around Thanksgiving and now they are thick as thieves. Here's a few tricks that I tried. I let him pick the cat's name. Everyday we give the cat dental treats that he loves, so I let my husband give them to him and it's always a really cute situation that makes the cat love him and run up to him. I also clean the litter box and do the feeding, so he really just gets to reap the benefits of a cat. I think the best thing is just to find a warm cat. If you have a cat that loves you, it's impossible not to love it back.

Answer 4

To warm to cats you must first understand them and be open mined enough to accept them as they are--There are good books at the library
Helpful hints--
Cant treat a cat like a dog
Never use your hand as a toy-NEVER!
Cat body language--learn it
talk to it-- often
handle it gently and often
cats do not respond to a slap of any kind
let the cat come to you
this all must be done when the cat is very young

I have had good luck with animal shelter cats- it it comes to the front of the cage and wants petting--good-- pick it up and hold it-- to see if it will push away -- spend some time with it and play ( WITH A CAT TOY ) This will give you a good idea of its personality--GOOD LUCK

Answer 5

If he really doesn't like them, then there may not be much you can do. You cannot force someone to like or not like something. Some people just do not like cats, just like some people just do not like dogs. Probably the best thing you can do is tell him how much the cat would mean to YOU, and make sure he knows that YOU will be responsible for it. If he doesn't have to put in any effort and knows that it means a lot to you, then he'll be more likely to be open to having one. Then perhaps, if you are lucky, he will warm up to the cat once he gets used to it.

Answer 6

We had a German Shepherd for 13 years, and after he died my mum wanted a cat, but my dad wasn't too keen on the idea, anyway my mum got a cat and a few years later when they got divorced (not because of the cat!) my dad wanted to take the cat with him!! Cat's aren't as much hard work as dogs, they don't need walking every day, they don't cost as much, they don't stare at you while your eating your dinner, they don't bark when the front door bell rings, and they have as much personality as a dog. We now have 4 cats and 10 years after the German Shephard died we have only now gone and bought a dog, take a trip to a cat shelter or the RSPCA and I'm sure he'll fall in love with one of them (just like my dad did).

Answer 7

Ive always been a dog person and well my fiance has gotten 3 cats in the past 4 years and I've only been able to bond with one of them. He is definitely a little asshole but he's very loving to me. All I can say it I still prefer dogs to cats so let him have a dog.

Answer 8

Most people I know who do not like cats have never been around cats. If he is willing just get a cat and he will probably fall in love with it. I would suggest a people friendly breed like a Calico cat for someone who thinks he doesn't like cats.

Answer 9

the more you push the more he will resist...

dont get a kitten unless you know he is ok with something as terrible as a kitten (clawing etc)

allow him to select the cat when its time - that way he will bond better...

my husband isnt a cat person either....

Answer 10

If he can't warm up to the cuteness of a few months old kitten than nothing will change him.