Getting a puppy when you've already got a cat?

[MrsMushroom]

We have an 8 year old Siamese...he's gorgeous but very much the boss...sleeps with DH and I every night. We'd love a dog and want to look into it...how unrealistic are we being? How do you intergrate a puppy in a cat-house?

To be honest you need to let the cat beat the puppy up a little. The cat does need a safe place, but when they interact you need to let the cat assert itself then they are set for life. Poor mobile mop suffered a terrible time when he was a pup cats blaming him for every little problem in their lives, however, they now all co-exist quite happily sleeping on the sofa/ my bed together and i can leave them together without any worries.

I've got two cats and a 7 month old puppy - they're not exactly integrated...

I've got a 10 yr old Siamese and a 2.5 yr old moggie, we had a dog until about 2 years ago, the Siamese always lived with him quite happily, but mistly ignored him, the moggy arrived as a tiny kitten, took a couple of weeks to stop being terrified of him, but then was his best pal. He died when the moggy was about 6 months old.

The Siamese was never phased by meeting dogs outside, the moggy was terrified and figuring that the Siamese was used to dogs and the moggy would have forgotten our old one it was the moggy we were worried about introducing the puppy to.

The cats have free reign over the entire house, the puppy isn't allowed upstairs, so they have somewhere to go if they need to and they're allowed on the couch and he isn't (he's too big, lol). I also moved the cat food up where he couldn't reach it. He's crated when I'm not there too.

What's actually happened is that the Siamese wasn't bothered when he arrived and seemed to suddenly realise that he was here to stay after a few weeks - since then she's decided that he shouldn't exist in the same house as her and randomly attacks him if he's in reach...he just looks at her a bit perplexed and avoids her.

The moggy spent about a week stalking him, looking at him like she might eat him, then suddenly went all friendly. Because she rubbed up against him a few times, he's obsessed with her, he follows her round trying to squash her with his big head and paws so I have to keep him away from her, which results in him staring at her from across the room longingly, because he luffs her sooooo much, lol.

So not integrated, but nobody is too stressed, except the puppy who just loves them both from afar.

It depends on how sensitive your cat is if im honest- you have to think about how he will take it.

We got a dog (labrador) 6 years ago when he was a puppy. Our cat was incredibly sensitive, wanted to be with us all the time and hated us leaving him- otherwise he was fine.

I spoke to several breeders and a RSPCA and Battersea- and they all said the same. He won't like it at first- but they will learn to live with each other.

Two days after we got the dog, cat ran away- not been seen since. Could be a conincidence but I really don't think it was because he got quite upset and wouldn't come near us (not even oldest DD who he was permanently attached to it seemed)

Maybe look after a friends dog for a few days- a) you will see how your cat reacts (consider locking him up so he can't run away- no, it isn't cruel assuming you give him litter) and b) if it is something you commit to. Come rain or shine a dog still needs walking for around an hour a day. Active dogs like spaniels, labradors (ie your typical family dog) need more- we have to walk our labrador 3 times a day for 45-60 minutes.

Also:

Dogs are much harder work then cats. Takes a long time to train them (and the last thing you want is an untrained dog!) and take up so much time. If you work full time and don't have someone around the house all the time like we do, it really isn't feasible- and no reputable breeder will let you near their pups.

Beware of puppy farms- avoid internet advertisements, avoid signs posted on the side of the road. Word of mouth only- and even then make sure you visit a couple of times before commiting to purchase, ask to see the parents and give them a once over (check for obvious signs of illness) and give the other puppies a once over to- many reputable breeders will allow a sale to be subject to a veterinary check if you are unsure. All peds should come with papers- if the breeder says "we will send you them at a later date" avoid, avoid AVOID. Either that or go to a rescue centre- so many dogs that want rescuing

If you want something because it is cute and playful- consider a kitten before a puppy. There is a whole world of difference.

Here is some stories about puppy farmed dogs:

www.cesarsway.com/news/dognews/Puppy-Mill-Rescues
www.dogs-r-us.org/yourstories.shtml

And tips on how to spot/avoid puppy farmers:
www.dogstrust.org.uk/az/p/puppyfarming/default.aspx#.URqBGVoSk8M

What ever you do- don't be pushed into a sale. If the breeder says "well they could be gone tomorrow"- fine, look elsewhere. Use your common sense- that little puppy they bring out on their own may be cute now- but the situation could turn sour.

I had two cats ( 3 & 2) and then got a Golden Retriever puppy.
At their first meeting, the cats hissed and spat and the puppy yelped even though they didn't touch him!

They were all kept together and after a few weeks were all fairly happy. Cats still had upper paw until dog grew and could throw his size around a bit!

I had 2 cats when I got my dog, both Siamese. They accepted her straight away. Never had any hissing. They seemed a bit perplexed that she didn't behave like a cat and that she grew a lot bigger than them. But they sleep in the same bed together and generally just rub along together. She chases them round the garden, they bring her dead birds to eat (yuk!!).

I expected problems and having to separate them etc but it was far easier than I expected.