Introducing a dog in the future

[Ladylulabelle]

Hi,

My 6 year old is desperate for a cat and I’m thinking of getting a Ragdoll kitten in the nearish future. However I really want a dog in the future (grew up with dogs). Is it possible to introduce a dog a few years down the line or should we wait and get the dog first?

It is possible we did it last year with house cats and a rescue who was used to cats but obviously the cats didn't have much experience with dogs.

I would however from reading your posts not get a cat at all. Your 6 year old doesn't really want a cat, they like the idea of a cat but obviously have no concept of what that actually means or what it entails. Unless you want a cat, which it doesn't sound like you do then honestly don't get a cat just wait until you're ready and get the dog instead.

@Ladylulabelle when you get a dog, will you be getting a rescue or one from a litter?

it's very difficult to get a dog from a rescue if you have a cat.

it depends on both the cat & the dog. My friends 20 year old cat puts all the dogs in their place. They start off curious, then terrified of her then they settle into tolerance & sometimes love.

other times cats just find their own 'safe space' in the house, but that's not much of a life for them.

im not sure what rag dolls are usually like with dogs? Besides, there's no guarantee it would be 'breed typical' anyway.

if I REALLY wanted both & could get a cat, but not a dog until sometime in the future, I'd get the cat now & deal with any issues when I was ready to get the dog.

BUT I wouldn't be getting a cat simply because a 6 year old says they want one. Cats are not what little kids think they'll be like (unless it's an existing cat, used to children) and it can be a very difficult situation to manage.

@VinEtFromage

I would get a puppy from a litter. In the future we would rescue but not with small children.

The cat wouldn’t just be for the 6 year old. I like all animals but we just can’t commit to a dog for a few years due to having small children and thought maybe a cat would fill the hole. But I wouldn’t want to cause the cat a lot of problems if we got a puppy in the future.

@Ladylulabelle well if YOU really want a cat, I'd get one, but knowing you hope to get a dog in the future I'd encourage family/friends with dogs to visit.

& hope for the best when they time comes 🤞🏼😊