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I would like to get my mom an adult cat for her birthday but this is the concern. The cat would have to live upstairs because her dog really chases cats I figure and adult cat would adjust to having a little upstairs "apartment" and that would be better than living in a shelter. What do you guys think?
Location: the wrong side of the tracks Richmond, VA
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I would be cautious choosing a cat for someone, has she expressed a desire for a cat? Can you take her to the shelter with you so she can pick out the cat and vice versa? I know my kitten chose me at the shelter, I don't know if we would be such a good match for each other if someone else had picked him out for me, you know?
Just about anything is an improvement over some shelters BUT being constantly harassed by a dog is also stressful, are you sure this is a good idea?
I'll be frank: I think it's a bad idea. I don't know that your mom wants to deal with the stress of having two pets fighting, and I don't know that a cat would prefer living in a house with a dog that will chase it rather than a shelter. Please don't do this without talking with your mom.
I agree. it is hard to keep a cat isolated to one area and the dog and cat would know about each other no matter what you do. i think it is a bad idea. I don't think anybody should surprise someone else with a pet.
It sounds as if it would cause problems for your mom, her dog, and the cat you are thinking of foisting upon them. If you want to rescue shelter cats, can you take one or more into your own home?
The local Humane Society where I got all my cats won't let people get an animal for someone else; the person who is going to live with and take care of the animal has to choose it. (Of course you could lie, but that would be bad for many reasons.) Pets do not make good unexpected "gifts." Sorry, I think it's a really, really, really bad idea, especially when you KNOW there's another animal at the house that would not like the new animal?!
I would like to get my mom an adult cat for her birthday but this is the concern. The cat would have to live upstairs because her dog really chases cats I figure and adult cat would adjust to having a little upstairs "apartment" and that would be better than living in a shelter. What do you guys think?
For the sake of the cat and to spare your mom aggravation and fear the dog will harm the cat.... bypass the cat and get her something else she may want or need.
BTW, the cat would be living in constant fear of the dog. Constant anxiety and fear. This is cruel.
That "prey" drive is very difficult to extinguish from a dog. Our dog, Sam, had it from a puppy age. He just could not help himself from going after the cats. Even when he was spanked, yelled at....the cat would usually just jump on the table..."Nah nah...you are a doofus!". He never bit or hurt the cat. He had his nose scratched a few times as well. Continued until he died at age 13.
But...it depends on the dog....if he would seriously hurt a cat. Our dog was just a clown. If he ever caught the cat be wwould have just licked it.
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I figure and adult cat would adjust to having a little upstairs "apartment" and that would be better than living in a shelter. What do you guys think?
