Our 2 1/2 year old female cat just passed away. She grew up with our 3 1/2 year old male cat, whom we had about 1 yr b4 we introduced the younger cat. The younger cat passed about 1 week ago. My husband really wants to adopt a dog. How do we go about choosing a dog that would go well with our cat? Puppy or 1yr + ? We also have 2 young children. Any resources or advice would be very much appreciated!
2007-01-06 06:47:31 · 5 answers · asked by CassieC 1 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
No matter if the puppy comes from a pet store, breeder or shelter, they should all be able to tell you how the puppy reacts with cats/kittens. There is no way to predict how any animal will react to a new animal coming home.
However, your cat is still young so much more likely to accept anything new. Get the puppy young and just teach it to respect the cat. The cat will teach that lesson too. Make sure the cat has refuge to get away from the playful pup and you'll be fine.
I work in a pet store (we bring out puppies to our houses first to make sure there is nothing wrong and they don't get sick from vaccinations, and that way we KNOW the personalities and do some training) and I am a foster home for rescued cats. I can't tell you how many cats and dogs I'm introduced to each other. I've never had a problem because I give them all their space, I keep the new animal in the carrier and let all the others smell them. I shut the new animal in the bathroom for a day to adjust to the new smell then I let them work it out.
My 14 year old male cat at first looked at me like he hated me, now he just goes up to new puppies, bats their faces off (he has no claws, he came that way to me) and walks away. No puppy bothers him and he's just fine.
Normally I have my 2 dogs here and 2 - 3 cats. They all play and interact and visit with my neighbors 3 dogs/3 cats and what ever else I bring home. I have a Husky x Eurasier who grooms all the animals in my house and a mini Shih-Tzu who is dumb as a post. A persian and a persian x siamese who never shuts up.
The breeds I've seen with prey drive issues are some terriers and sight hounds. I've worked with sled teams and never seen an issue there.
Good luck.
2007-01-06 07:00:40 · answer #1 · answered by Noota Oolah 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Starting with puppies is usually your best bet..althought there are lots of older dogs that get along well with cats..with a pup you can train them.
I have had dozens of dogs in my lifetime (I have been a foster home for abused neglected dogs)
the ONLY dogs I ever had problems with my cats (which I have alot) was a siberian husky (they have a high prey drive) and a chesepeake bay retriever (he had issues I can't even begin to address..)
as far as cat preferences, small yippy dogs (yorkies, chihuahuas) seem to irritate them..and large high energy dogs (pits, rots etc) seem to irritate them (not that these breeds can't be fine with cats..but the high energy seems to make cats irritable)
Before you get any dog older than 2 months, ask if they are ok with cats...younger dogs will learn that the cats are part of their family...(fortunately dogs are very social animals.)
2007-01-06 15:00:17 · answer #2 · answered by caughtfishin 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
HI
I got my dog from petfinder.com it has all areas in the U.S. and it tells all about the dog or cat which ever you choose. Its personality if its house trained if its good with other animals or children and you can see pictures of the dog and ask questions. We picked the perfect dog from there he gets a long with our other dog, cat and great with our children.
2007-01-06 14:57:46 · answer #3 · answered by sara69251 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Get a puppy. Doesn't matter what kind, if it grows up with a cat it will be fine. Your cat won't like it at first but he'll adjust.
2007-01-06 14:53:15 · answer #4 · answered by PRS 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would recommend a puppy, golden retrievers are great with kids also!
2007-01-06 14:57:03 · answer #5 · answered by Little Lisa 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋