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Post by princessevie on Sept 15, 2014 20:05:39 GMT
Hi everyone
I have 3 cats, one aged 3 and the other two aged 1 and I am thinking of getting a puppy. My cats are very timid and took them months to live in harmony. I don't want to upset or scare the cats who I love to bits but I do miss having a dog (ours died 4 years ago). I had a heart attack 6 months ago and think the walks will help me get back to normal and to de-stress after work.
Am I just being selfish or could the cats and puppy learn to live together if introduced properly?
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Post by milliepup04 on Sept 15, 2014 20:10:37 GMT
Welcome!
Look forward to hearing about your cats! I'm sure they could learn to live together with a dog, if they were properly introduced. My dog loves cats, sometimes even more so than other dogs!
I'm sure you'll work something out and know what is the right thing to do!
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Post by lotsofcats on Sept 15, 2014 20:55:03 GMT
Welcome to the forum. I have introduced a puppy to cats - My dog Kobi is now 4 years old and I had 3 cats at the time and like yours, 2 were very timid. It worked out fine in the end, you just have to take it slowly and keep the puppy in a separate room. The cats will be upset for a while but give them lots of love and attention and I'm sure they will come around to the idea. I hope that you are recovering well. I look forward to hearing more about your cats and what sort of puppy you want.
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Post by caz2golden on Sept 15, 2014 21:10:19 GMT
Sorry cant really help as I only have dogs.
My aunt has always had cats and dogs. She always used a baby gate on a few rooms so that the cats have places they can escape to along with certain places they can jump up onto. Her pets seem to have always sorted themselves out along with her excellent direction.
Though one of her rescue GSD in the past did stick its head through the cat flap and took it off the door when it first arrived after chasing the cat!!
Her dogs are fine with her own cats but a strange cat would get the usual dog vs cat treatment. The dogs seem to take the cats under their wing so to speak.
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Post by princessevie on Sept 16, 2014 12:33:18 GMT
Thank you for your replies. I only work 20 hrs a week spread over 5 days so have time for training etc. I know training etc is hard work and could be stressful with the cats but think it would help me recover and be good for my son as he lost his nan few months ago. Have bought a puppy pen already for cats to get used to and a stairgate so cats can get over to go upstairs but puppy can't. Got shelves and bookcases already that cats use and installing a catflap. We're getting a gsd as I grew up with them and collect her at the end of October.
I know it won't be easy or happen over night but I'm hoping they'll live together happily eventually or at least tolerate each other. People are saying I'm being selfish as the cats might leave home and I really don't want them scared or upset as I love them to pieces. I just feel that if I don't do it now I never will. Our old dog died 3 years ago and I haven't had the heart before but miss our walks.
would attach a picture but don't know how
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