Is 'company' in the form of a puppy or kitten a bad idea for our 2 yo cat?

[barmybunting]

We have a gorgeous 2 year old boy who we have had since he was 12 weeks. He is a small little soul, but with enough character and cheekiness to fill a house happily! We both work full time, and I often feel awful about leaving our boy as I leave for work each day. He seems happy, he gets out each day (although we can't have a cat flap in our house as it's military housing, so he doesn't have access all the time), and is very affectionate.

But, we would love to add another pet to the mix. Ideally, we would like 2 cats and a dog but that seems a bit mad. We are trying to decide what would be the best bet for our boy if we go for only one.

We are about to move, and I will be working part time when we move, so will be home more, hence why we can consider getting a dog. We are also ttc no1 so if timing works, we won't end up doing this all at once.

But I guess, presuming we get a dog or another cat in the next year. Any idea if it's a better bet to go for another cat or get a dog? DH is adamant the dog would have to be a golden retriever. I don't know if that's the best idea!

I guess I'm looking for anyone who has experience adding another pet to the mix. Any advice?

[Buglugs]

The cat is young so will likely adapt to whichever you choose. But having a dog is obviously a whole different ball game to having a cat, or two cats. I think you just need to decide what's best for the family as a whole personally.

[Buglugs]

I've just noticed the ttc bit! Yes, you might want to concentrate on that bit first! I'm sure the cat isn't lonely, especially if he gets out and about.

[Fluffycloudland77]

I don't think cats get lonely, I've had a multicat household and it didn't work for us but others on here have no problems with it.

If you are ttc though maybe looking after more than one pet wouldn't be ideal.

If I had to choose a breed to mix with cats though I'd go for a gun dog breed though. They tend not to have the killer streak.

[cozietoesie]

I agree with Fluffy re the breeds. A decent cat would have a golden retriever trained within days (if not hours) whereas a terrier or one of the breeds who were used for ratting might be more problematic.

Oh - and I wouldn't worry too much about him being 'lonely'. When I worked out of the home, any cats were fine. They tended to adapt their hours to mine so that when we were out, they slept.

I've had far more (and more intractable) problems with cat jealousy of other cats than I've ever had with cat loneliness. They don't seem to get jealous of dogs in my experience - seem to regard them as some sort of lower species and hardly worthy of serious attention.

[barmybunting]

That's an interesting one regarding cat jealousy rather than cat lonliness being an issue. Growing up, we only ever had 1 cat at a time so I've never been able to witness it fully. To be fair on the cat, he doesn't seem to be lonely, I think that is partially an excuse because I would desperately love another hairy boy like him (I would far rather get a cat than a dog, DH is the one desperate for a dog).

The info about breeds is useful, thanks. He is quite a fiesty boy, hasn't had any problems setting my parent's dog right when she has visited so that will hopefully be ok.

Thanks, a bit to think about!

[WakeyCakey]

Our golden retriever loved her cat master.
Big ginger boy was definately the supreme ruler of the house and dopey dog was his ever dutiful slave.
If you are getting a dog it's a breed that gets on great with cats!

[barmybunting]

Thanks wakey, that's reassuring to hear!

I think we may be leaning towards a dog then...

[Dumpylump]

We have two dogs and a cat. Cat was here first, followed by first dog when cat was about a year old. They do not get on. Dog chases cat, but if he actually manages to get her in a corner, she bashes him!
We got second dog last year...cat was 6 then, and dog1 was 5. Dog no. 2 gets on great with both of them. I sometimes wonder if its because he's a chihuahua, and therefore cat doesn't actually realise that he's a dog at all!
I think it's about their individual personalities, same as with people, although I've never felt that cats really need another cat for company - and we always had cats one at a time as we were growing up.
Dogs on the other hand...dog1 clearly prefers having another dog in the house now, they play in the garden, cuddle up in bed and on the sofa, and work together to scare off anyone who might pass the house by charging about and barking madly in unison!
My dcs are older, 13 and 16, and I wouldn't have got another dog when they were any younger. Being the ages they are, they're actually very good at taking the dogs for walks together, and probably take them out for longer since they've got company

[CharlotteBronteSaurus]

you won't know unless you try
DSIS's pets are all sociable - she has two cats and a labrador retriever, who are most often found curled up together in a big furry heap.

we rehomed two cats together, whom the rescue centre had promised us would get on fine. They hated each other. We had bullying, spraying, te works. we ended up giving one to a friend of MIL's and now they're both happier in their own respective spaces.