Can a mature cat come to a home with a dog?

Question

We are adopting soon, and we will get a cat that is good with dogs, but I'm just worried about the dogs reaction (he is a 7month old Dachshund) and he's scared of cats. but my mum really misses our old Tabby, and would love one. How easy/hard is it to get a dog and a cat aquainted? Will an older cat be more difficult to adapt? Any info/advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you,

Answer 1

Based on my experience with several types of mix breed dogs all of whom have been either raised, or rescued into our home with cats who themselves have various degrees of uncertainty about dogs I can tell you that it really isn't about the cat as much as it is the dog.

I think a younger cat would more easily adjust to living with a dog that has "cat issues".  Since first impressions can be everything when your talking about older cats; even if the older cat is used to dogs it's going to be afraid (naturally) to a certain extent to any dog that it doesn't know.  An older cat from a shelter can have other issues that would make the added stress of getting used to a yippy, nippy little dog much harder.

We had a Dach as a family pet when I was growing up and for as much as I loved her, she was one that was very territorial when it came to her family.  At 7 months of age, if your dog is all ready showing signs of being scared of cats, as long as it's not aggressive fear then you really probably would be fine with a young cat.  I'm not so sure about any cat if you think your dog won't adjust though.

Answer 2

Time and patience is all your going to need.  just slowly introduce them at first.  What I have done is that i put my dog in a pen or a crate for about 15 to twenty mins and bring the cat and let my cat walk around this got my dog used to seeing the cat in the house.  it took a while but after a while it paid off.  As long as you keep them in view of eachother this will help them get used of eachothers presences. Good luck

Answer 3

Suggest when you go to the shelter you ask specifically for a cat

that is used to dogs and gets along with them. You dachshund has

probably been frightened by a cat who has hissed or scratched him.

If you get a cat that is used to dogs she/he is not going to do that. It is better to get a mature cat at this stage for that reason. Once the

dog realizes the cat is not going to be a threat he should settle down ok.