RSPCA - anyone rehomed 🐱with existing 🐶

[RickyGervaislovesdogs]

Just that really. We are looking to rehome an older cat, but have a dog who has never technically lived with a cat, at least not one of ours. I’ve looked after a friend’s cat for a week (indoor cat) dog wasn’t bothered.

Will this put them off? Does it rule us out, am I wasting my time….

I’m adamant we won’t be buying a kitten/cat. I’m also not going to tell a porky pie and say I don’t have any other pets etc. Have applied for one cat on the weekend, so just impatient!

Forgot to add- where the criteria states ‘may be able to live with a friendly dog’ what does that actually mean/involve. How do they test that, I’m presuming it’s where the cat has come from a doggy household, rather to than I take my dog to the centre….

Yes it will be that the cat has previously lived with a dog/s.

You will be able to find one, it just takes a bit longer. We have rehomed three cats from 2 different rescues and we have two dogs. Just be open about needing a dog savvy cat and you'll be fine.

@tattychicken thank you. They rang today and we have a viewing in the week. Fingers crossed!
They’ve sent us medical history and a rehoming advice pack.

@RickyGervaislovesdogs How did the viewing go?

It will be OK with careful introduction. I've done it both ways and found it much easier to have dog first rather than other way around. How did you get on?

It depends on the dog really.

my cats have always got on with dogs and vice versa. Even strange dogs coming into the house, they just find somewhere high and observe until they feel ready to come down.

my general rule is if the dog doesn’t chase, the cat doesn’t run, and all is ok. So unless your dog is a chaser of small furries they should reach an agreement.

cats are usually pretty savvy with dogs and learn they’re the boss.

I did this several years ago, was totally honest about our two dogs (even said one is a nutty puppy) and we got recommended the nicest cat ever. He thinks he’s a dog. I have to include him in giving out dog treats etc and he comes out for a walk with us. They all lie in a line all squashed up together, and he grooms them. If we adopted another cat he wouldn’t be happy, but loves dogs.

@bozzabollix your cat sounds amazing! We have 2 cats & 1 dog. One of the cats was a kitten and she & the dog love each other. She rubs up against him & he never chases her. Our other cat was a bit older maybe 2 when we got her. She was quite scared for a day or so but now it's fine. The dog occasionally chases her but I think he wants to play. She occasionally gives him a whack to show him who's the actual boss. Often they don't really bother with each other and just get on with it.

@tattychicken Not terribly well.
Arrived at the centre which was a fair way from
us, went in all staff were lovely. The Cattery was set up with a bed at the front, then a cat flap to their outside area with litter tray, cat tree, toys, bowls- sort of a little room where humans get to go in and see the cat.
All the cats had all had their little faces pressed against the glass, miaowing, following us, pawing the glass. Then we arrived to ‘our’ cat. Absolutely petrified, hid, wouldn’t come out, the staff picked her up and kind of prevented her from escaping to her bed area and it just broke my heart so I said aww let her go.
Literally the only cat to hide, the others were bold and/or inquisitive. The staff asked how I felt and I said disappointed! but she’s so nervous and it’s breaking my heart. I said I feel like she isn’t going to be able to cope with us, the house, the rooms, let alone the dog.

The staff were lovely, said I need a much more confident cat, I’m not bothered about age of cat particularly (prefer not to have a kitten and I imagine they fly out anyway) so to leave it with them and they’ll give me a ring when a suitable cat pops up. They had a look at their newbies but none were to go with a dog. They said it’s not the end- so that’s where we are at.

Dog definitely won’t chase and he doesn’t bark or go upstairs. He’s chill. But he will 100% sniff that cat if the cat goes up to him /lingers and a very good sniff. He’s a big sniffer/possibly licker! He shares food/ toys/his bed just very chill.

Thank you for the replies all.

Don't lose heart!! The right one is out here and worth the wait. Try different rescue places, get your name down with as many as possible. Many cats aren't ever put on the website or FB page as they have a suitable home waiting who has passed all the checks etc.

Whereabouts are you? Someone might be able to recommend a good rescue. I found they vary greatly in responsiveness and sensibleness. Not sure that's a word but you get the drift.

You're right to walk away if the cat was not the right fit. Your dog sounds like mine, curious but not aggressive or chasey. There are plenty of cats that will handle that.

Good luck. 🤞

How long has she been there?

ours was similar. Absolutely terrified. the cattery stressed her out so much she nearly died from not eating

we took a punt on her anyway. I’ve always had really cuddly cats so had my doubts but tbh did it for the cat more than me cos I just felt so sorry for her.

took her two months to come out from under the bed. It’s been very very gradual, but now she follows us round, is barely out of sight, is happy to be picked up and cuddled, plays etc. tries to play with the dog but is unsure how.

she’s still a bit unsure about laps, she loves it but everyone has to be very still for her to settle, any sudden movement and she’s off.

Your dog sounds fabulous, as do you 🤗

@Ohnonotmeagain Around a month, if it were just me I’d have taken her. But I have a child who although very gentle and kind with animals would want to stroke the cat. The plan was to give the cat her own bedroom with all her things, but we were secretly praying the cat would rather be with us to be honest! Say a week to settle? (maybe I’m over ambitious). It felt like it could easily be months of her being absolutely terrified of me/us. I could just see her bolting the minute she was let out.
My friend rescued a cat who immediately loved us and tried to get in my car with my dog when we left. I suppose it’s that level of confidence I’m after!

Aw. It can really work can’t it? Occasionally I’ll see our cat eye the dogs with a bit of disdain (doesn’t understand the play fighting they do together) but he adores them mostly.

My kids were older so the teenager had the dog crate in his room she stayed in initially. He did say she would come out at night when the house was quiet and accept strokes- I think for her it was noise that scared her and took her a while.

the one massive positive with a nervous cat is she won’t go out unaccompanied (her choice). Either we have to leave the door open so she can bolt back in, or someone has to sit outside with her- the dog is included in this!

I used to hate the worry when the cat went out and hadn’t come back late at night. This one at least she’s always within sight.