Should we get a kitten?!

[Britchic]

Hi everyone

We have been thinking about getting a kitten for ages, but there are a few things which are making me nervous... I didn't grow up with cats, so I feel a bit clueless!

So, firstly, we have a lovely 2 year old lab cross, who very rarely sees a cat and goes completely crazy when she does - chasing, barking etc. Am I made to consider getting a kitten - does anyone know how long it would take a dog to get used to her? I can't even imagine how it would work, as generally the dog hangs out in the kitchen, which is where the cat would be.

Second, my friend's cat has completely ruined her carpets and sofa by scratching them, and while I'm not overly precious, I would be really upset if our cat did that to our house. Is this something that we can avoid?

I'd really appreciate any advice.

Thank you!

Rachel

I wouldn't if your dog hates cats, you can train your dog if you're willing to put in the effort in but it'll be stressful for the kitten because it would be coming into a household where the dog isn't yet used to cats.

Most cats will scratch to some degree, you can have various scratching posts, cat nip toys can help them to feel relaxed. Mine scratches carpets and an armchair but leaves everything else alone.

Feliway helps cats feel calm, it releases pheromones which makes them feel relaxed, a good idea for settling a new cat and if the cat needs to live with a unwelcoming dog.

It sounds ill-advised to get a kitten with a dog like that..

We did get 2 kittens with our 10 year old pointer who had been brought to our house with grown up cats.

We kept the kittens completely separate fro a month. Then introduced them gradually with very close supervision. Now the cats rule the house again - one has been known to eat out of the dogs bowl

You know your dog best

Nice furniture? Kiss it goodbye if you get a male cat - lucky we don't mind too much

We got our first cat from neighbours who got a tiny kitten and already had a huge cat hating dog.......

Don't do it. Not with a crazy cat hating dog. Kittens are tiny and vulnerable.
I'm afraid the advice is usually get a cat first. Then a dog.
Maybe work with a behaviourist for now. Then look for an adult cat who is used to dogs once yours has calmed down.

We have two high prey drive dogs. They would probably have chased cats before we got ours, but they had lived with cats before. Very careful introduction to two kittens, and lots of space and now they are all very fond of each other.

If you are going to be upset at the prospect of furnishings being potentially ruined, that will be a problem. I have had to scrub carpets covered in rabbit blood, cleaned the wall beside litter tray after explosive runny bottoms, and had to retrieve cats that have got excited and started climbing very expensive curtains. I adore my cats, but that is the reality. You can offer lots of scratching posts and stop them scratching if you witness it, but if they decide their favourite place is your couch you will not stop them.

The love and affection you gain negates any negatives, for me anyway

Personally I wouldn't with a dog who dislikes cats.

They do scratch and destroy things, but you love them so it's ok.

Except for a bit of wallpaper, my cats never scratched furniture or carpets. I had them as a 9 week old and then two at 31/2 months old and they learned the word no from an early age. They never walked over work surfaces or tables in sight of me.