Rehoming a dog in a house with an elderly cat - please tell me it's possible!

[diaduittoyou]

After some advice - I've wanted a dog for years, I work part time and have the time and energy to spend with one, and would love my DS to grow up with one as I did.

My only reservation is my elderly cat. She's 16 but is in good health and could (hopefully will) be with us for another 5 years!

I've been keeping an eye on local rescues and there's one that tests the dogs with cats they have. They have a 2 year old whippet I've fallen for who has been fine around their cats. I'm considering applying for her. Does anyone have any advice about this? Is it very unfair to my cat who's been an only pet since her brother died three years ago? Surely there are success stories out there?!

I'm now erring on the side of it being a poor decision.

Could I ask what age your cat was @HellInAHandCartThatsWhat and if it was used to dogs already?

Thanks @user1494670108 , and sorry to hear about your cat . Was she used to dogs before you got yours?

Moot point - dog has been rehomed elsewhere! Think I'll stop looking now and being tempted by big brown eyes....

I don’t think it’s cruel to introduce a dog. For us it was easier introducing a puppy as the cat was bigger than the dog, cat swiped the dog across the face to let him know who was in charge.

We have a home check this weekend in hope to rehome a dog next week, I don’t know how the cat will react but hopefully eventually all will be ok.

Sometimes it depends on the cat and the dog...we have had no end of dogs and puppies through the house and the cats have variously welcomed them (maybe 2) with open paws and kissing, food sharing and bed cosying, through kindly tolerance to haughty derision to out and out hostilities

Ours are knocking on a bit now, but I wouldn't hesitate if the cat was fit and healthy.

cat swiped the dog across the face to let him know who was in charge

🤦🏻‍♀️

First of all that shows the cat was distressed and feeling threatened by the new dog.
Secondly, It is not unusual for dogs, especially those with bulgy eyes like chihuahuas and pugs, to sustain nasty eye injuries or even eye loss, from being swiped by a cat.
And thirdly, most pet dogs have been bred with naturally submissive temperaments but there absolutely are dogs out there who will respond to a show of aggression by a cat in kind and injure, quite possibly kill the cat.

Yep that’s a scenario to avoid. You want the dog to keep its distance and not chase the cat or approach it in a way it’s unhappy with. That’s why we resorted to a longline. I don’t want the cat stressed, the dog blinded or the cat eaten.

The difference is lovemusic that your elderly cat has lived with other dogs , this cat has reached 16 in a dog free household and if it were my cat that’s how it would be staying . The way I see it is how would you feel if the cat ran away or died very shortly after the dogs arrival due so to the stress bringing on other issues in such an elderly animal.

OP in the cat and dog world, cats are the boss. Your 16yr old cat will let the dog know who rules the house, and once that happens they'll be fine. We introduced a 12 week old pup to 2 11yr old sisters, and the boss cat made her feelings clear quickly, after which they all got on fine. Cats lived to 19.

Occasionally boss cat got stroppy with her sister, cos sister liked doggy cuddles and dog loved the affection. Was hilarious.

Make sure they have their own spaces to retreat to, and different eating areas. They'll be fine.

Good luck.

in the cat and dog world cats are the boss , that depends on the dog , no cat would stand a chance with my dog , and the neighbours dog savvy cat did try his luck .

OP in the cat and dog world, cats are the boss

This is such a common and dangerous viewpoint.

My dog lives with a cat.
They get on well but my dog is 100% the boss.

My mums cat has a reputation for swiping dogs, she tried it with my dog once.
My dog didn't yelp or run or look sad or afraid.
She was angry and lunged forward to attack her.

The dog I was interested in has been reserved. The rescue did give me details of another one though, also has been around inside cats and not chased them when they've ran etc. She told me one cat actually swiped it on the nose recently and it didn't react at all, just looked a bit scared.

However I now think I'm going to wait for the sake of my cat. Grateful for everyone's opinions though!

You know your cat best. We waited but that was because old girl had arthritis so slow moving. She also had a thyroid issue so needed medication and extra attention. That all added to long hair and twice daily grooming meant I felt she not only wouldn’t like having a dog around but also just needed our attention for however long she had.
Would you volunteer? I used to for The Cinnamon Trust and loved it. Or a local rescue?

I did for a local rescue @Wolfiefan but found my training was abysmal and I was left in unsafe situation (was always supposed to be two of us on shift to clean out kennels, transfer dogs etc but ended up being on my own). It put me off a bit. I'd love to just walk dogs - for anyone!

That’s not great.
The Cinnamon Trust is a fab charity. You have to provide references and follow a set of guidelines. You have a photo ID and they provide support and advice. You can walk as little or often as you are able.
Not all cases are on the website so worth registering if you’re interested. I loved it.

Contact your local branch of the greyhound trust they are usually looking for volunteer walkers .

We introduced a puppy to two 12 year old cats. They were unimpressed but got used to him.

Puppy was stairgated in the kitchen. On a lead if out of the kitchen.

Gave cats access to food/water/beds/outside without needing to go through the kitchen.

Got another couple of tall cat trees (from zooplus) so they could sleep in peace.

Both of the cats have passed away but vet said cats routinely live in to their 20's these days.

Think they would have been more bothered by another cat coming into the house. The dog was sort of beneath their notice.

I'm not in England so don't have greyhounds trust etc - just a couple of local rescues near me. Also - she's an indoor cat so can't put food outside etc.

I am still a bit torn as we've wanted DS to grow up with a dog since he was born - he's now 6 and she could be around for years yet. But then I don't want to sound like I'm wishing her last few years away either as we all love her to absolute bits.

So 5 years would make him 11.
A very good and sensible age for a dog I think.
Mature enough to understand about puppy nipping, be taught about body language and help out with poo patrol, walking, training etc

cat swiped the dog across the face to let him know who was in charge

Mine did that when we introduced dpup.

Definitely not a stress reaction as dcat walked up to dpup very confidently. Dpup who was on a lead in the kitchen.

Dpup would sometimes be nudged out if the way and would wait patiently by the food bowls if dcats decided her food was tastiest.

Dcat was a huge help on firework night as dpup would look around when bangs were going off and dcat would come and sit by her calming her down.

Years later dcat died. The next fireworks night we came in later than we had planned and the fireworks were under way.

Ddog had managed to chew the kitchen cabinets, an antique table and the back door and back gate were off their hinges.

Ran in to find ddog gone.

Phone started to ring and the farm at the top of the road had caught her running up the middle of the lane and managed to coral her into a stable.

After all the years of ddog being calm on bonfire night we realised it was dcat who was the calming influence

Definitely not a stress reaction as dcat walked up to dpup very confidently. Dpup who was on a lead in the kitchen

Just because the cat walked confidently does not necessarily mean she was not under stress..

Cats are solitary, territorial animals, she almost certainly was stressed and upset at the appearance of a new animal and imo the swipe was a manifestation of that.

Animals don't have to be all tuckered down, whale eyed and flat eared to be stressed.
Look at all the horrifically aggressive dogs out there who look perfectly fine before suddenly seeking out and biting people/other dogs with no provocation because they are stressed.

@Oliversmumsarmy bless, poor ddog.

I know my cat and he was definitely not under stress.

He just eyed ddog up then walked up to her and banged on the nose with his paw.

Later I was watching and I swear they were chatting. You know that way animals look at each other when they look like they are communicating.

He even tried to show her how to jump on the bed later that day. Pup too short to jump up.

I have 5 cats who sometimes pad each other

It usually is before they have a mad 1/2 hour running and chasing each other around the house.

My car wasn’t stressed either when he swiped the dog across the nose. My cat was best friends with the dog, he has been stressed since the dog passed a month ago . I don’t agree that cats are solitary animals, my cat seals out other cats when out and will approach friendly dogs, he knows the neighbours dogs and will happily go rub himself against them.