My kitty, 5 year old, will be moving to a new house this week and we are adopting a 2 year old doggy this weekend. Kitty has never lived with a doggy and she is already distressed about the move and I fear that it's too much for her. Thoughts?
2007-02-27 10:08:51 · 23 answers · asked by harleyq_13 1 in Pets ➔ Cats
Well I got my cat neutered while he stayed at the vet's when we went out of town and when he came home, we had a new terrier puppy.
Do whatever you feel is best.
2007-02-27 12:09:02 · answer #1 · answered by Chels 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, you know the cat better than I, but I have a kitty that is pretty self-confident and takes changes pretty well. I would not hesitate to make the move also about a new doggy too.
That way the cat thinks she has moved into the doggy's space, and the doggy is going to think he has moved into the kitty's space, and you might just have an even "playing field" if you know what I mean?
In other words, be careful as far as taking time to introduce them, keep them in separate rooms for awhile, but they are going to be on relatively neutral territory because it is a new place for both of them!
2007-02-27 18:19:13 · answer #2 · answered by Pixie 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Stress the cat out quite a bit at one time, or somewhat twice is what you're asking. If you're getting the young dog from a shelter, you can ask their recommendation, or you could talk to your vet, who knows your pet better than the strangers answering on Yahoo, although some may speak from experience.
If the cat is restricted to a room or rooms -- small parts of the house at first, and then allowed to get acquainted with the dog by smell, and then together but for short intervals, you are probably okay. If there's a way to postpone getting the dog for a week or so, that would be better for the cat.
Good luck.
2007-02-27 18:20:51 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Moving can be very stressful for a kitty- I would suggest with holding off getting a puppy for now, since a puppy will want to play with the cat and the cat that is 5 yrs old is not interested in running around anymore.
2007-02-27 18:16:47 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Cats get get stressed out very easily i know that it depends on the cat how quickly it will adapt, i would suggest letting the cat have it's own room so it can be away from the dog for a while and then when the cat seems comfortable with that room start introducing it to the dog and the rest of the house. so it doesnt make any messes in other rooms.
2007-02-27 18:14:32 · answer #5 · answered by Kelley 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
yes, that can be too stressful for all of you, you all need time to adjust. The cat may become aggressive with you and the puppy, and they will always have a rocky relationship. Give the cat a week or so in the the new residence before adding the puppy, but if you cannot do that keep them separated for a couple of weeks or longer until they settle down with each other.
2007-02-27 21:03:39 · answer #6 · answered by eskimocats6 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A good way to judge will be if she starts acting extremely strange or shedding like mad.
My cat Chino pulls the hair out of his belly when ever he gets too stressed (but then, he is deranged). When we moved, he got so stressed that he was absolutely bald from tail to chin for about a month.
He didn't do too bad with the puppies we got, though, when he was 8. They are both small dogs and we got them at the same time. As long as he had his own area to escape to, he did fine with them. But Chino was with two big dogs when he was first born. We had a wolf until Chino was about 6 mos. and a mutt of about 50 lbs until he was 2. So that might be why the dogs didn't bother him too much.
I'd talk to a vet about it and ways to make the cat feel more comfortable.
2007-02-27 18:14:33 · answer #7 · answered by Raising6Ducklings! 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yes I think that will be too much for your cat. The sights and smells of a new house are alot to take in. A move to a new house will really stress you cat out for a while. A new dog on top of that will not be good. I would reccomend a week before the introduction of a dog.
2007-02-27 18:14:17 · answer #8 · answered by Rose♫ 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
yes, u need at least a week for the cat to adjust to the house, area, and were u put ur stuff around. if thats not enough, ur gettting a dog. (not that its bad). u said she never lived with a dog, but did she ever see one? this is the situation when u get the dog it will go 50-50. either she could get use to it eventually or she could freak out and "fight for her life or something like that" then theres the dog. has the dog been with cats or seen one? it goes 50-50 for the dog also. so u have 3 major problems here
1.) moveing into ur new home
2.)cat
3.)possibly dog?
2007-02-27 22:44:18 · answer #9 · answered by Sketch 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Obviously it doesn't matter because you have done it already. The cat will either like it or not. Did you not try out the dog with the kitty first? Just got a dog and not worried about the cat's well being? consequences.....
2007-02-27 19:51:42 · answer #10 · answered by katie d 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, this is too much for your cat - even if your cat is the calm type. Don't take any chances with your cat's mental state. Postpone getting any new animal for 1-2 months after moving. I had a cat for 17 years who was very sweet and calm. He grew up with one other cat. One day my boyfriend and his two cats moved in (yes, two cats at once moved in). My very mellow cat waited about 2 weeks, then decided to sneak out and run away. He hasn't been seen since. Please don't underestimate your cat's feelings. I will never get the chance to tell mine how sorry I am.
2007-02-27 18:34:07 · answer #11 · answered by tmw_9999 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋