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The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

Original poster

What do you think of dogs living outside?

68 replies

ineedamoreadultieradult · 26/05/2018 18:41

So we are on the look out for a new dog, it has been 3 years now since our last dog died and we feel ready to commit again.
We want to adopt a dog, all our animals are rescued. But here's the problem, in between ddog dying and now we have adopted a special needs cat (it has epilepsy) and a kitten. Due to the older cats needs both cats are indoor only cats.

Now we could find a dog that was happy to live with cats and our older cat has lived with dogs quite happily before but I'm not sure having two cats and a dog alone in the house while we are out is a very good idea, I wouldn't want any of them to get stressed or worse.

So this leads me to thinking about a dog that can be kept outside,. Just for the time there is no one in the house which would be approx 3 to 4 hrs on a weekday.

My thinking being most dogs from rescue centres have been living in kennels already, obviously some hate it so wouldn't be considered but some don't seem to mind at all. Also I have seen some dogs for adoption who have never lived inside anyway (mostly greyhounds). We have space for a large kennel and run in our enclosed and secure backyard.

But I'm also just not sure if the whole thing is a terrible idea and we just shouldn't get a dog.

We currently go to our local rescue centre and help walk the dogs but I'm still feeling something is missing with not having a dog at home.

OP posts:
AvocadosBeforeMortgages · 26/05/2018 19:34

Why not simply restrict the dog to one or two rooms when you're out of the house, and have the cats in another part of the house? I have to keep my terrier and my rodents apart when I'm out the house and that's what I do.

The winter months would concern me - in the snow mine only lasted 15 minutes before he looked like he was on the brink of hypothermia, and greyhounds are notoriously wimpy when it comes to the cold.

Kursk · 26/05/2018 19:35

Depends on the breed. We have huskies who WANT to snooze on the deck at -20in the winter.

GooodMythicalMorning · 26/05/2018 19:37

I'm not a fan of it tbh

BiteyShark · 26/05/2018 19:39

If the kennel was heated in the winter and sufficiently ventilated in the summer then I can't see the problem.

However, if the dog barks a lot (mine can be very barky in the garden as he hates anything that flies) would this cause problems with your neighbours?

Can you simply separate the dogs and cats in the house when you are out using crates/baby gates or just different rooms?

ZibbidooZibbidooZibbidoo · 26/05/2018 19:43

Use stair gates to zone your house.

Getoffthetableplease · 26/05/2018 19:57

I don't agree with it at all, sorry. Then again you've also made your kitten a house cat, because the other one can't go out, which I also don't agree with. I think you either find a dog that fits in with your cats (which could be a lot easier said than done) and stays in the house or you just don't get another dog yet. Greyhounds are also a bad example by the way, as the greyhound trust have in my experience made it clear to prospective owners that their dogs are to only be homed as pets living indoors.

Original poster
ineedamoreadultieradult · 26/05/2018 20:18

getoffthetableplease if you want to tell me a way of having one inside cat and one outside cat living in the same house without me having to be on constant door opening and closing duty please let me know.

OP posts:
mimibunz · 26/05/2018 20:22

OP, could it be that now is not the time to adopt a dog? Your epileptic cat will most likely be very stressed out by the addition which will have a knock on effect to her health. And it’s never ok to keep a dog outside. Why would you even ask? Hmm

UrsulaPandress · 26/05/2018 20:22

You say in your OP that both cats are indoor cats.

Confused
Original poster
ineedamoreadultieradult · 26/05/2018 20:27

Ursula yes they are, I don't think any of my subsequent posts have said differently?

OP posts:
Tinkobell · 26/05/2018 20:27

If you've the energy for it and commitment I'd consider a smaller breed puppy rather than a rescue dog. I have a rescue cat which I have socialised with two dogs, doing so from a puppy stage at 8 weeks is far easier as the cat tends to not feel too intimidated by a small pup. Even this requires some skill and patience before you get to a real 'trust' stage....but you do get there whereby you can confidently go out leaving both animals together. I've socialised a westie with a cat and currently a 12 week old Cockapoo with a cat.....one of each sex. Avoid an alpha type pup ...the larger pushier puppy. The cats need a safe space...stair gates are great.
I'm sorry I don't agree with dogs outside unless it's a farm or Arctic breed type. We can have awful storms in this country and our pets need proper care and shelter all weathers.

Potentialmadcatlady · 26/05/2018 20:29

I have two cats and a dog who happily live together. I have also fostered sick cats and they have all lived together so with the right dog is it possible. I don’t agree with having a dog live outdoor if you want it as a pet.
I have my garden cat proofed so the ‘sick’ cats and my own cats can get out into the garden under supervision. It’s lovely for them to enjoy the fresh air and tires them out. I have also had a Catio in the past for a very sick cat so she could lie in the fresh air but be safe and under supervision- she had been very much an outdoor cat before I fostered her when she was very unwell.
It can be done.. every animal is different

Original poster
ineedamoreadultieradult · 26/05/2018 20:30

Mimi she has lived happily with dogs before but obviously any dog that came would have to come on a trial basis at first to make sure everyone got on. Also a dog being kept in a purpose built kennel and run for 3 to 4 hours a day is very different to a dog living outside. But you are right I am just looking into options, if either the dog or cats wouldn't be happy I obviously wouldn't do it and just continue my volunteering at the dog rescue centre to get my doggy companionship.

OP posts:
SpanielsAreNuts · 26/05/2018 20:40

And it’s never ok to keep a dog outside

I disagree - there are dogs that thrive outside but they are not the normal British pet types. For example Huskies were bred so that they would be out in all weathers. Then there are exceptionally rare rescue dogs who, because of their past, are rehomed as outdoor dogs. (Dogs trust had one last year, who even after extensive behavioural work and fostering, could not adapt to indoor living but was a very happy dog if allowed to live outside - he was rehomed specifically as an outdoor dog).

Getoffthetableplease · 26/05/2018 21:00

Well you didn't need to get a kitten?

jamaisjedors · 26/05/2018 21:04

All my parents dogs (labradors) lived outside. The current one has a heated kennel and comes near the house but not in it during the day.
As long as they have shelter at night and some companyvand exercise during the day (they are walked 3 times a day) they are fine.

Original poster
ineedamoreadultieradult · 26/05/2018 21:04

getoffthetableplease the kitten came to us as a foster as she was taken from the mum too early. We had to hand feed her for weeks and when the time came for her to be adopted.she was so attached to our older cat and vice versa we didn't want to split them up. So no we didn't need to keep her but we did. Like was have kept the half blind foster rabbits who know one wanted to adopt and the 8 quail who the rescue also couldn't find anyone else to take on.

OP posts:
Getoffthetableplease · 26/05/2018 21:09

You asked opinions, I gave you mine. I think you already have one animal in a less than ideal situation and think it would be unfair to add to this. Sorry if you don't like this, you don't have to agree with me, but don't come asking for opinions if you aren't going to listen anyway.

Original poster
ineedamoreadultieradult · 26/05/2018 21:11

I am listening and like I said before perhaps now isnt the right time. I didn't ask anyone opinions on my cats living arrangements which is all you seem to be commenting on.

OP posts:
tabulahrasa · 26/05/2018 21:11

“if you want to tell me a way of having one inside cat and one outside cat living in the same house without me having to be on constant door opening and closing duty please let me know.“

A cat flap set to let one microchip through and not the other...

I’m not really seeing why keeping the dog outside is preferable to just using a door inside to keep them separate, that’s what I’ve always done, the cats and dog have access to different parts of the house while I’m out.

Sadik · 26/05/2018 21:13

"if you want to tell me a way of having one inside cat and one outside cat living in the same house without me having to be on constant door opening and closing duty please let me know."

Not saying you should, but if you want to let one cat out & keep the other in, you can get a chip operated catflap

Sadik · 26/05/2018 21:14

Cross post with tabula!

BlueEyedBengal · 26/05/2018 21:16

A dog will get on with the cats if you get a pup from a home that has cats. Leave them to get used to each other over time, make sure the cats have the high. Ground so they can watch safely. Usually the cat will start to investigate their new dog and the dog will know where in the pecking order he is. It may take a little time but usually the cats view the dog as a curiosity. I only have a blue eyed snow marble Bengal now as his dog died 3 months ago in her sleep on night just short of 14 yrs old. But cats and dogs do make great buddies you just have to watch from afar as they find out the who's the boss( usually the feline)😺😻🐺

Original poster
ineedamoreadultieradult · 26/05/2018 21:16

tabulahrasa cats can get around those flaps quite easily they just go out nose to tail. Anyway this is not about the cats. I didn't say it was preferable I was just exploring the idea of a dog that goes in an outside kennel for a few hours a day as an option. There are of course other options which I will also look into as well.

OP posts:
Getoffthetableplease · 26/05/2018 21:24

It was actually just one comment within my original reply, and seeing as the cats are the reason for the dog needing to be outside it is kind of relevant. Anyhoo, not here to argue. You asked opinions and mine is a huge no, it's not fair on a pet.

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