Getting a cat with existing dog

[Queenofthedrivensnow]

So last time around I got my cats before my rescue greyhound. The cats have her merry hell for a couple of days then they all got on fine we never had a problem.

They are all arms of Jesus after long happy lives.

I now have a beautiful but thick as mince cocker spaniel. He chases cats out and about. I know the dc would love a cat and I can manage a cat but I'm v worried spanner might be too much for a kitten he barks and boings about though he's not aggressive.

In my mind an adult cat might show him who's boss and they might get on eventually.

What's the verdict? Fully prepared to be told it's a stupid idea - feel lucky we can have our lovely dog so if we don't have another pet it's not the end of the world

Anyone?

If you already know your cocker chases cats and he hasn't lived with one before then I wouldn't risk it.

A dog-confident cat might be ok but you could potentially end up in a situation where you'd need to keep them both completely separated at all times.

If your dog wasn't inclined to chase them then you'd have a much higher chance of successfully integrating a cat into the house but as he already sees them as prey the odds aren't really stacked in your (or a potential cat's) favour.

I agree - need to borrow a bruiser of a cat for a night but my bf cat hates my dog already so she's not an option!

Relying on a cat to show a dog who already chases "who's boss" is a very bad idea. You might be lucky and the dog may back off but you also run the risk of the dog reacting badly and taking it out on the cat.

The ideal situation would be a confident cat who would completely ignore (you want them to neither approach nor run from) your dog which would allow you to concentrate on preventing your dog chasing and teaching him an alternative behaviour instead.

This article on the subject of dogs (especially prey driven ones) and cats is well worth a read.

Cornflake I think you're talking me out of it which is good. I want happy pets not stressed ones!

I think the no cat is the route for me! I think I was v lucky with my rescue cats and my greyhound - who was a shocking chaser but she didn't pull that shit in the home.