I want to adopt a cat in the future.

Philippines
July 7, 2010 10:57pm CST
Hello myLotters! I'd like to ask for some advice. I'm pretty serious about adopting a cat in the future, but I'm not so sure our home would be the best for him or her. Our family has always been a dog family, and right now we live in an apartment with four dogs. We have 2 retrievers and 2 miniature pinschers. I was thinking that maybe I could adopt a cat when we move to a bigger house. But the thing is, I'm scared that the cat might not fit in as well because of the dogs. They haven't been socialized with cats, and they always bark at them. Also, since my family isn't a cat-person family, I'm a little iffy about them accepting the cat. I don't mind studying and learning more about cats and how to take care of them well. I am willing to come up with new arrangements in our home to accomodate the cat. I only have the kitty's best interest in mind. Please give me some tips! Thanks everyone!
1 person likes this
2 responses
@knicnax (2233)
• Philippines
8 Jul 10
My family is a dog-lover family but I am cat lover. Anyway, we have 4 dogs and 2 cats in the house, they live together okay. Though sometimes one of our cats will bully the other dog. It happens. haha Anyway, having them live together is not that hard, also dog lovers will also love cats, because generally dog lovers are animal lovers. What you have to do is to make you kitty at home first. make her/him feel comfortable. Give her all the love and care she needs for about 3 days to a week. You need this to help your cat adjust and to make her feel she's welcome. If she doesn't feel welcomed, she'll run way. After that time, slowly introduce the dogs and cats. Just show them that each exists. Don't let them get to near each other. Just make sure they see each other. They'll become friends eventually. Just take things slow. don't force them to be friends. Also, it would be a good idea if your kitten or cat has another cat to play with. If this is not possible, then make sure you give your cat lots of attention. Cats love attention and they get lonely, just like a real person, so make sure you give her/him lots of attention
@knicnax (2233)
• Philippines
8 Jul 10
It's good that some of your dogs are already peaceful with cats. You won't have much trouble from them (provided that you cat doesn't provoke them). Don't hesitate to ask your mylot community for tips, especially on cats. We'd gladly help :)
• Philippines
8 Jul 10
Thank you! I'll be sure to follow your tips when I do adopt a cat in the future :) In the mean time, I'll try to get my dogs acquainted to cats. The two big dogs are used to cats by now. There are a few kitties that visit them near their sleeping area.
1 person likes this
@nonersays (3329)
• United States
8 Jul 10
With 4 non-cat friendly dogs living in the house, then it does not sound like somewhere you should bring a cat to live. Even if you got a cat who liked dogs, the poor thing would be miserable living with 4 dogs who did not like it.
• Philippines
8 Jul 10
That's what I'm afraid of. If in the future, they never accept each other, I would just do the cat more harm than good. And it would have to be re-homed as well :(
• Philippines
8 Jul 10
Oh yeah, I forgot to say that the big dogs are used to cats already. I'll be sure to let the smaller dogs get acquainted with cats first. Thank you!