Hi - looking for some advice

[Sue P (Paddysmum)]

Hi Gill, welcome to Purrs! 

There's been some very sound advice already given by Liz and BC, and being a cat and dog owner I'd echo what they both say - especially the fact that multiples of dogs react in diffrent ways to sole household dogs.  BC - love the piccie! 

Our dog loves cats,  (particularly kittens - she seems to know she needs to be gentle), but she knows her place. (she's a beardie collie cross, so quite large but bright) 

Introductions need to take place under close supervision, preferably somewhere where there are places the cat can access that the dog can't - ie higher up, or a gap narrower than the dog can run into, in case they feel intimidated.

Often rescues will have some knowledge of whether a cat can socialise with dogs and will be able to tell you a little about how well they react, and vice-versa.

With regard to location, I'd agree - as long as the road is not busy, then you should be okay, although if it was something you'd consider, some people on Purrs have very successfully cat-proofed their garden, to enable their cats to have full access to the outside space without being able to risk life and limb on the roads.  I also have a friend who did the same very successfully at two of her homes, having lost a number of her beautiful cats to rural road accidents.  It doesn't look instrusive if done properly.

I hope you  find lots of good advice on the forum, and soon enjoy the welcome addition of  a cat into your lives again. 

[Millys Mum]

I would opt for something big enough to withstand 3 dogs so not a tiny kitten, older cats can easily live with dogs so really its a case of visit your local rescues and see what they have suitable.
As long as you dont live on a busy road there should be an indoor/outdoor cat for you, if you are on a busy road then there are many cats who need 100% indoor homes and would be very appreciate of living with you 

[Christine (Blip)]

  to Purrs, bairnr.  Glad you found us.  I've never had the opportunity to learn the answer to your question, but you've had advice from a couple of experts there 

[blackcat]

Hi GIll, I can only reinforce what others have said - dogs and cats get along just fine as long as the owners use their common sense. If your dogs are obedience trained they should be fine, but do remember that dogs can whip each other up into a frenzy and do things that they might not do as individuals. They are pack animals and the pack response is still strong. Make sure that the dominant dog is the one you establish a relationship with the cat/kitten first, and the rest should follow his/her lead. My boy was raised by cats so knows he is the bottom of the pack in the house, and also out walking. He hunches up and looks self-conscious when we pass a cat in the street, but never chases them (well, except the one who drives him to distraction when he is stuck in the back garden and who deliberately taunts him. Shadow and the cats share a bed, a kennel, but never food! There are some limits 

Just to prove how well it can work this is Shadow with Smidgen who moved in with us a bit over a year ago - the pic was taken only a couple of months later :

[Liz]

Hello Gill and nice to know your dogs need someone to take cahrge of them!

We have 41 cats and 2 kittens along with a 14.5 jack russell Jazz who is acceptd by the cats as an honoary cat and last year we bought home a 12 week old Border Collie pup Sky No!

The cats soon had Sky whipped and clawed in to shape - we have a majority of feral cats so Sky soon leanrnt that not all Black and white cats are minature Border collies and his best friend is a 16 month old feral called Panther who cleans Sky daily in the evening

Sky is crate trained and can be found in his crate with a cat or 2 nearly alweays a feral

We let the cats do the training and he did look a bit rough round the nose area for a month but he has now settled in to the household and although he still chases cats outside - most will turn and chase him back hw does however participate in the evening with 20 feral cats and a laser pointer so with the right introductions and the understanding that the cat is in charge it should be fine!

[sazkat2]

I don't have any dogs so can't offer you any advice but sounds like you would be a great mum! 

[CC & The Pussycat Guys & Dolls]

Sounds like any kitty would be glad of a wonderfull home 

[bairnr]

HI Yvonne, 

Thanks for getting back to me.

Gill

[Yvonne]

Good evening Gill and     to Purrs

Many of our members have both cats and dogs and they get along really well

Hopefully some members will be along to discuss this subject that have both pets, it has been a while since we had a dog but they got along ok.

[bairnr]

Hi there,

As the subject suggests I'm looking for some advice on getting a kitten / cat. 

I've been thinking about this for sometime now, I had cats when i was younger and lived with my parents and my hubby has had cats in the past aswell. 

Wondering if anyone can advise on whether or not it would be a good idea to get a kitten or adopt an older cat.

Our home situation is we have a large three bedroomed house, with front and back garden.  The back garden leads onto a field - the front one onto a road.

We also have three english springer spaniels, they are is 8, 7 and 4.  The dogs are well behaved, but can be naught as any pet can be!

Would we be advised against adopting a cat because of the three dogs?  This is really the question I'm asking?  The dogs are also kennelled in the yard, so they are only in the house when we're in.

I go to work at 8am and am in at 3.30pm, my hubby starts at 2.30am and finishes at 11.30am.  So we would be in the house more often than not.

Look forward to hearing from you all with experience of cats x

Thanks

Gill