Should i get this puppy?

Question

ok..well my friend's mother owns a pet shop and they had this tiny maltese puppy come in who was on the verge of dying. After caring for him for 4 months in their home, Pookie is ready to be sold. At first, this older woman was going to buy him but now shes not because shes moving or something. My friend said that maybe i would be interested because i got along with the dog so well. I would prob get him for $400 or a lil cheaper. (Thats good pricing for a maltese!)

This may sound dumb but im worried about my cat that ive had since '96. Shes really old and im very attached and i feel like she'll resent me. I know everyone just says "its only a cat, who cares" but its hard when you've never had a dog and all you have had was a cat. Just gimme some info please!!

just to add on...the puppy wasn't from a mill..this woman is very picky with what dogs she brings into the shop and she only lets the puppies go to people who she knows can treat them right. The puppy was born and soon developed a bad cold which he almost died from. He is 100% healthy right now and is very playful and affectinate. Its just my cat is 10 years old and is a grouch, i think they would hate eachother and she would hate me.. BUT I REALLY WANT THIS DOG! guess tomorrow is the big day n ill just see what happens

Answer 1

Sure, if you really love the puppy and if you know how much resbonability it will be. And a lot of money. And if you work or go to school your cat and dog could get into trouble. I would leave them in different rooms or cages, whatever thats your choice.:)

Good luck with the puppy by the way! Sounds cute!

About your cat..

Introducing Your Cat to a New Dog

It's important that you make a plan before introducing your cat to your new dog. Following the steps below will help.

1. Let your cat see your dog.
Let your cat see your dog, but don't force them to be together. Your cat can be up high on a counter or shelf where he likes to be. Or you can let your cat look at your dog from behind a sliding glass door. Don't hold your cat because you might get scratched if he is scared.

2. Choose a 'safe area' for your pets to meet.
After your cat seems comfortable just looking at the dog, introduce them, but only in a 'safe area.' This is a place where the cat can get away quickly without hurting himself. A 'safe area' would not be outside because your cat could get scared and run into the street.

3. Allow the dog into the 'safe area' room.
You might want to have a leash on your dog for control. Allow your cat to move around the room, climb up high, or even leave the room if he is frightened. Let your cat just watch your dog from his safe place up high.

4. Give your cat and dog lots of time to get to know each other.
It may take a long time before they're best friends. It's possible that they will learn to live together, and still never be best friends.

5. Always provide places for your cat to escape and have some privacy.
Closets and rooms that your dog can't get into can provide a 'safe area' for your cat. For example you might have your parent put a four inch hook on a door. Then the door can be left open 4 inches, the cat can go in, but the dog can't fit in the opening.

Tip:
Your cat may not want to eat when your dog is around. Try placing your cat's food and water dishes on a counter.

Also, dogs will eat the cat poop in the litter box, so you'll have to put the litter box in a place where it is easy and safe for the cat to use, but the dog can't get to it.

Think carefully about your plan before you bring your new dog home. If you are prepared, your dog and cat will have a very happy introduction!

Good luck!

Answer 2

Well $400.00 is great for a Maltese. But where does she get the dogs? Is it from a puppy mill because I saw never support a Puppy Mill! Those are just aweful and your maltese will come with problems whichc is why the maltese was on the verge of dying to begin with. I say your cat won't resent you, but make sure if you bring your puppy home to read up on cat and puppy rules. First you should probably put your puppy in a cage. and let the cat smell it and w.e.s. Always leave a place where ur cat could run away from the puppy and the puppy can't catch it. Let the puppy out, but watch carefully. Repeat and repeat. Good luck if you decide to get the puppy! Once again. Good price. No Puppy Mills. and follow the puppy meet cat rules. HAVE FUN! AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Answer 3

Probably the most important thing to judge how this situation will go is the tempermant of both the animals. Is the Maltese friendly to other dogs? If so then there's a good chance it will be friendly to a cat as well. In my experience I had an anti-social Akita tolerate a stray cat. They weren't buddy buddy but they didn't fight either. So anything's possible.
I am not much of a cat person, but what I've heard from people who are into them cats are incredibly laid back, individual creatures. So I think your cat will be fine.
Also u might have neglected to mention if you have small children in your worry about the cat but the Maltese's small size doesn't make it a good dog for people with small children. If u do have small children i would advise against a small dog like the Maltese unless the children are extremely well behaved and mellow.

Answer 4

well...i think you should get the puppy...but maybe am just saying this because i want a maltese..but i think ur cat wouldnt mind...i mean what does the cat do that u like? does it play with you? does it run around the house so u can know his there? i dobt it even though i dont have or never will have a cat.belive me when you buy the puppy u will forget the cat is there because cats dont do anything but eat, dogs play, run, bark, they are fun cats are boring.or if you want just wait, because the cat is old is up to you u been with ur cat for a long time and thats cute.think about it, you might never get this amount of money for a maltese. good luck...............sarah :)................

Answer 5

I have an 11 year old Russian Blue cat and I got a Bichonpoo a few months ago. It took a couple weeks of adjustment but they quickly got use to one another and now play happily with one another. If the puppy is laying on me the cat thinks nothing of getting up and pushing it's way to get close to me too. They are becoming good pals. I say get the puppy and just give them time to get use to one another because in a couple of weeks they too will probably be good friends.

Answer 6

I suggest not buying a puppy from pet stores or any animal. They ALL come from puppy mills which the pups and their parents are abused. They are forced to live in horrible conditions in cages they can barely move in, little food or water, sleep in their own feces and urine, no attention, no exercise, abuse, they are forced to stay in freezing cold and severely hot conditions. They get psychological problems from no attention and no exercise. They have health problems, fleas, ticks, eye problems, broken limbs from having no room to move and so much more. I don't care if she's your friend, do your friends mom a favor and give her a dose of reality. She's a b*tch and a sicko for even owning a pet store. She's the enemy.

Thank you for everyone who has and will continue to advise not buying from a puppy mill. You are doing those innocent animals a favor-a voice. God bless!

Answer 7

Never buy a puppy from a pet store! $400 might sound cheap now, but the amount you might spend on veterinary care later, will soon add up. Adopt a puppy instead.

Edited to add: No matter what a pet store tells you, all their puppies come from puppy mills. No reputable breeder would sell their puppies to a pet store.

Answer 8

well hun, I can see when your coming from, and if your cat will resent you, and it was there first, think twice before getting another pet.

Even though cats and dogs can be trained to get along, you wouldn't want the next couple of years you have with your cat to be filled with hate, resentment, or jealousy.

Me, personally I would wait! But it's all up to you! go with whatever you want to!

hope I helped!

♥ - kay - ♥

Answer 9

It's not dumb. Your cat comes first, and it sounds like you know that. If she'd be miserable then no, don't do it.

You may not want to hear this....but I wouldn't support your friend's mom's pet shop business. Pookie came in "on the verge of dying"...what kind of breeders was she bought from? I wouldn't want to support neglectful breeders, and it sounds like you would be if you bought this puppy.

Answer 10

you should only get a puppy if ure willing to train the puppy at such a young age.

The better option is to get an older puppy which has been trained not to pee in doors or bites your sofa. and listens when you tell it off.