OMG, please help, would this ruin my cats life

Question

My family and I want a dog, but my year old cat is terrified of dogs. The last time we got a dog (which we gave away, we only had it for a day) he arched his back, hissed, his furr was sticking straight up, and he hid behind the couch. But, yet, our vet for our cat told us if we get a dog, my cat and dog could be best friends. So, if we got a puppy, would our cat's personality change? Would it ruin his life? Or would he be scared for a few days then be happy again?

Answer 1

Cats are very territorial.  Whenever you invite a new animal into a house with a cat, that cat is typically going to act like it is going insane.  If you give your cat lots of love and affection and make sure they are not in the same room unsupervised for a while, within a few weeks your cat should settle down.  This transition will require lots of patience and love on your part. Good luck

Answer 2

I was in kind of a similar situation a few weeks ago. I have a black lab and a chihuahua that are best Friends. We wanted another puppy, so we got one. The chihuahua didn't like it at first, but now he does. It took him three weeks to get somewhat used to her. But every animal has a different personality. Your cat will most likely get used to it eventually, but it will take a long time.

Answer 3

Your cat will eventually get used to the dog, I have 2 cats and 2 dogs and when we got our first cat, it hated our dogs for like 2 months, but now she just ignores them. My other cat loves the dogs and she was the same way. So it is hard to tell what your cat will do, get a dog, your cat will eventually adapt.

Answer 4

My cat was like this too but we got a puppy anyway. We kept the puppy in the kitchen with a baby gate so that the cat could have his space if he wanted it but would still have to interact with the puppy if he wanted his dinner and litter box etc.

This has worked surprisingly well and the cat and the puppy are now very friendly, they still fuss with each other from time to time but they get along quite well altogether, sometimes we even catch them playing or l*****g each other! I think it's defiantly something that can be done you just have to be committed to dealing with the hard bit in the beginning. I think you will find it work it in the end though.

Answer 5

thats what happened to me but we decided to get a mellow puppy instead of the crazy ones and they ended up being really good friends and rolled around the floor together

Answer 6

well this isnt exactly the same situation, but when we got a puppy my BIRD hissed and flapped her wings and made this big ol scene and even bit at the dog every single time he was barely near her! but we've had the dog for a year and my bird just hisses to warn but nothing else, its not drama anymore. After the cat sees you caring for the dog realizing hes not hurting anybody (this might take awhile) perhaps she will stop and eventually she will be calm for him. It just takes time to trust, especially for a cat! hahahahahahah, survival is the instinct, patience is the key haha

Answer 7

It would only take a few days or a little more for the dog and cat to get used to each other and then YES...They may become Best Friends!!

Your cat may think he rules the roost though since he was there first!!

I don't think it's personality will change...it just might want your attention a little more since there is another animal in the house and make sure the cat gets it or it might start messing in places other than the litter box to show emotions!

I don't think it will ruin it's life..it will be an adjustment but it will all work out great in the end and you will have one big happy family!

Answer 8

I don't think your cats personality would change. We have a one year old puppy and two cats, and the cats are afraid of the dog, but their personalities are the same and it doesn't seem like its ruined their lives. Maybe if you got a dog, you could gate off part of your house for the dog, and let the cat have the rest. That's what we do.

Answer 9

He's gonna get used to it.. And cat's don't have heart attacks that was the stupidest answer I have ever heard...  But your cat will get used to it.. he will probably avoid the dog all together..

Answer 10

Our cat was not impressed when we got a dog but he has adjusted.  His nose was out of joint for a few weeks.  Now the cat and dog are not friends - mostly they just ignore each other.  Every once in a while they will play together.  Generally cats do not like dogs, that is normal.  But I'm sure your cat will get used to the dog.  It sometimes depends on the age of the two animals - a puppy might be better accepted than an older dog as the cat may feel more protective over a "baby" but it is hard to say.

Answer 11

Get the puppy.  Little puppies don't know that they should chase cats, but kittens are scared from birth.  (At least mine were.)

Our dog was about 3 when my son brought home a tiny kitten.  The dog wanted to make friends, but the kitten jumped behind the washing machine, hissing and spitting.  We left the kitten alone, and when she got hungry, she came out.

The dog didn't chase or bite, and eventually the two became friendly.  They even taught themselves a game of hide and seek.  When the cat wanted to quit, she tangled her claws in his hair on his ears and yanked.  She ended up being the boss - "TopCat".

The two were good friends.  

I am betting that your cat would like a dog.

You sound like a very considerate and loving pet owner, and both pets need someone like that.

Good luck.

Answer 12

He won't be so happy at first, but he'll get over it once he realizes the dog is not going anywhere...they will be buddies over time and grow old together :)

Answer 13

If anything it would scare the puppy haha. But we did the same thing to our cat and in about a week they were getting along. Now both are full grown and are best friends. We just added another puppy to the mix too.

Answer 14

Try it, maybe for the sake of the cat.

I mean, sure, cats like to be left alone sometimes, but maybe they'll become good friends and your dog and cat can be life-long pals and they can get good exercise playing together.

You can never be sure about animals.

Also, another tip: Try to get a dog that seems pretty mellow and laid-back, maybe it wont scare your poor kitty as much. Ask the breeder for more information. :)

Answer 15

well get rid of your catif you want a dog then get a kitten then introduse them as a puppy & a kitten then they would befine together.

Answer 16

I had this same problem it takes time for the cat to get acclimated to the dog just give it some time  

Answer 17

It'll probably be scared forever. Maybe even have a heart attack. Don't get a dog.

Answer 18

I am no pet expert, but I do know a little. Some cats are afraid of dogs, and vise versa, but a lot of cats and dogs living in the same house love each other. In fact, I know a lady who had a cat and dog. She was moving so she had to give them away. But they had to stay together because they wern't happy for one day without each other. So I suggest introducing them to each other for something like five minuets, then again the next day for a little longer until they get comfortable with each other.  

Answer 19

Our kitty (female) was like this also when we just got our puppy (male). My husband assured me they would find a bond eventually. He was a puppy while my cat was a year old. He still was a little bigger than her. Now they get along. She will have her days that she doesnt want to be messed with but they have been caught eating together and sleeping together.

Few tips:

-At the beginning, keep an eye on them both. The puppy will want to play with his/her new friend. You will have to teach the dog when to play or calm down.

-Are there claws on the kitty? If so, make sure the kitty doesn't use them on the doggy.

-The doggy will try to eat the cats food. Keep it separate.

Most of all, good luck. Your cat will adjust and survive.

Answer 20

it might take a little while but he should get used to having the dog around. my dog used to hate other animals, until my dads friend started bringing his puppy around regularly, and now they are best of friends

Answer 21

yes the cat would change

my neighbor had the same problem a few weeks ago they got a new cat and the cat was terrified now the cat had kittens about 2 wks ago and she allows the dog to take care of them

lol

Answer 22

you got it right the cat will have to accept he dog in the fail after a little while and he/she wont hiss any more they might actually start playing with each other

Answer 23

its gonna take the cat more than one day to get used to the dog. I'm sure he feels like the dog is an intruder on his space. You just need to give your cat some time and eventually he should warm up to your new dog. most usually will.

Answer 24

most likely your cat is going to be afraid for a few days.. but he will start to get used to the dog. it doesn't mean they will be friends, but it will be livable. i know when i had one cat and got another.. my first cat was reallly mad and angry for a few weeks.. but now my cats are fine with eachother. your cat will adapt.

Answer 25

I have 5 cats and when i got my first dog my cats were a little spooked, but after a while they got used to her, she's a little palmarianian or however you spell it. We just got a german shepherd not too long ago and the cats are perfectly fine with it :D

Answer 26

I think most cats get use to what they have to live with. Just watch them carefully for a while to make sure that either one of them doesn't get hurt.  

Answer 27

It is hard to say. All cats are not made equal. If you get a puppy there is a chance that your cat will get used to it and perhaps even a friendship can form. It's different from one cat to the next...

Answer 28

There is no perfect answer. All pets are different. I have 2 cats and one of them loves dogs and the other one is terrified of them.

Older cats might be more jealous with a dog around, especially a young puppy and they might fight.

If your cat is relatively good natured he would probably be more likely to adjust but that also depends on how aggressive the dog is.

If you can try and keep them together for a few hours and build it up to a few days and see how things go, if they don't get along you may have to get rid of the dog.  

Answer 29

i have a cat and she was the only one for over a yr. then in came two pitt mix. eventually they will learn to tolerate each other but the cat will stand her ground. believe me once the dog gets a couple of whacks on the nose from a cat they learn quick.

Answer 30

Chill, this will not ruin your cat's life...I have 4 cats, and one dog...ALL cats will be a little weirded out at first, they are not used to it.  It will only take a few weeks for them to get used to eachother.  Then, they will play and pal around.  Everything will work out fine.  Contrary to popular belied, cats and dogs can get along QUITE nicely <3.