Adopting a rescue dog with an elderly cat- can it be done?!

[diaduittoyou]

I also posted this in the dog section, but figured I might get some advice here too!

After some advice please - 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 could have written this! I'm thinking of the same and about getting a whippet one day. Not sure about an older dog, but I'd get a puppy myself so that the cat wouldn't feel too threatened.

I'd think that your cat could have upstairs to herself and maybe have a gate so that she has a safe place to go?
Good luck!

I think it's pretty rotten on your old cat actually.

16 years of being a cat-only house, suddenly a dog arrives and is all over the place. It will be incredibly stressful and distressing for the cat. Is that really what you want for her twilight years?

If we did proceed I'd definitely get a stair gate - she sleeps upstairs all day anyway, only comes down in the evening.

@BuzzShitbagBobbly I hear you, but in recent years she adapted incredibly well to a baby in the house, and that was arguably a bigger disruption, and one that we couldn't separate her from as easily! I do know of success stories as well - what if she loved the company of another animal in her last few years?

Thanks all x

Yes babies can be disruptive, but they are just different to a dog in a cat-only household. For the sake of her final few years I would want to make them as peaceful and calm as possible.

But it's pretty clear you have already decided to get the dog anyway, so all I can do is wish you luck and hope the poor cat isn't too affected by it.

I actually haven't decided at all - I would want to meet the dog, visit her several times, do a home trial.....If anything gave me cause for concern we wouldn't proceed.

Thanks for your input.

I agree with Buzz. It will be hard for your cat and very unfair to her. It rarely works out especially if the cat is already quite old. I find it quite upsetting to consider the cat living upstairs and thus quite away from you. Given this scenario, it might be better for the cat if she were to be placed somewhere else if you insist on getting a dog. Why not wait for a few more years?

@Mia184 I can assure you I'd have no long term plan for her to "live upstairs" away from us. As it currently is though, she spends 90% of her time upstairs sleeping anyway - she has a favourite bed on the landing, raised up so she can keep an eye out the window.

Anyway, I'm leaning against the dog idea now as on balance it wouldn't be fair to her.

diaduittoyou I’m glad to hear that. I know quite a few people who got a dog after they had a cat for a couple of years and the cats never liked it. It seems to work out best when you get them both at the same time or when the cat is still young.

Yes I think if she was younger it would be a different story.

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