Add a cat or not?

[Aasha]

I was wondering how many of yous also had a cat in the family, and how it works. I am a dog person (Like yous didn't know that) but my roomate loves cats just the same as I love boxers. He I think has become attached to my boy (How counldnt he!) but I would love for him to have a pet he loves to. I was thinking of getting him one for X-mas. Aasha is 11 months now and has never been around a cat. Do you think he would do alright? I took him to petsmart the other day and we were looking at the kitties. He just layed down and started to lick the glass window they were in, all the time his nub just moving. Do you think that's a sign he would like cats? Any input would be great, thanks!

 

[SILLY6PAK]

We had to rehome my husband's cat when we married. My girl Abby has a horrible prey drive. We could not get her not to chase. At first if the cat didn't run Abby was fine but then she started pawing her to get her to run.

We have semi ferrel barn cats and some of the kittens have met a not too plesant end. I think since your dog is young maybe you could train him. do you have a friend with a cat? or would the human society let you see how he gets along with one of theirs?

It would be easier to research now then to fall in love and have to give the kitty or dog up. We know the people that took Mark's cat and see him but it was still very hard on the kids.

 

[kayboxer]

That's a tough question. If you had gotten one when he was just a puppy, he would be fine, but with him being older??? We tried to find an older male boxer to adopt and couldn't find one in our area that tolerated cats. Is there someone you know who has a cat you could put your boy around to see how he acts?

 

[SonnyRoutt]

cats & dogs

I think you almost have to have the cat first and raise the pup with it. It helps if the cat is under its first yr because they tend to be more playful and adopt more easily. My Monte has the tendency to chase but I've trained him not to and the cats are used to him now. Bageerah (my cat) actually sleeps with him...sometimes he invites attention from Monte by winding in and out of his legs purring. It can work.

 

[SaskiaTas]

Logan (also 11 months) doesn't seem to mind our cat. He seems to see her as a rather boring, puzzling object. He'll sniff at her and will halfheartedly chase her if she runs, but gives up quickly once she is under the bed or behind the couch. We were careful to introduce them gradually, with Logan in his crate so the cat could check him out without being threatened initially.

I think the temperment of the cat is equally as important. Ousie doesn't particularly like Logan, but she is fully clawed and will turn and bat at his nose more often than running. (Usually with claws in, but I think she feels she can defend herself if needed.)

I would first try to take Aasha around a cat that is familiar with dogs. See if she seems to turn on her 'prey drive' when the cat runs or not. Then, if you do get a cat for your roommate I would either adopt a kitten or one that had already been around dogs. Introduce them gradually, with the kitten in charge of the situation, and then make Aasha 'sit' and 'leave it' whenever she is around the kitten for the first week.