Getting a cat, when I know I want a dog

Polmop

We have two lurchers and the cat is definately the boss.

Pollycat

Person_one wrote: »

Tons of people who work full time have dogs. The idyllic view held by some that you should only have a dog if you can completely devote all your time to it is seriously unrealistic. Most people need to work for a living and there would be far fewer happy and well-loved dogs in this country if nobody who worked had them!

It's not an idyllic view, it's my view.

I personally wouldn't have wanted to have a dog whilst I was working.

I have no issues at all about people who do have dogs when they're out at work all day - because it's none of my business.

Person_one

Pollycat wrote: »

It's not an idyllic view, it's my view.

I personally wouldn't have wanted to have a dog whilst I was working.

I have no issues at all about people who do have dogs when they're out at work all day - because it's none of my business.

If your decision is truly only for yourself and you don't think everybody else should make the same decision, or judge them for not doing so, that's not a problem!

There are definitely plenty of people though who think its wrong to have a dog when you work, and aren't shy about expressing it!

hock79

I think it's fine with certain dogs, not puppies obviously. My Mum has 2 dogs and used to work full time, but she also had a dog flap and a reasonable size garden, and full time for her meant 8 hours a day and the dogs are older and quite lazy.

DH and I are out the house for 11-12 hours a day, and where we live, with only a back yard, there would be no option of a dog flap. A dog walker would be an option, but I wouldn't take a dog on with these circumstances.

hock79

Polmop, they're adorable! Which came first, the lurcher or the cat? Did you get them as puppies/kitten or older?

Person_one

12 hours is a long day, I probably wouldn't either in that situation. Slightly off brief suggestion here, but have you considered rats? They're very dog like in their personalities but there isn't the longevity issue.

JennyW_2

Person_one wrote: »

Tons of people who work full time have dogs. The idyllic view held by some that you should only have a dog if you can completely devote all your time to it is seriously unrealistic. Most people need to work for a living and there would be far fewer happy and well-loved dogs in this country if nobody who worked had them!

Are you absolutely sure its not an option? What about employing a dog walker? Getting up earlier? Maybe rescuing a bonded pair so they'll always have company even when you're not there?

you just cant go and get a dog, expect it to be left alone all day with a dog sitter/walker popping in at lunch time. The dog will be anxious/bored for the 4/5 hours before and after the walker.

Many, many dogs cannot be left for long periods and even if they can be, they have to be taught to be left alone, especially with new owners, new home etc and this takes a long time to do. Plus the OP says she works FT so she wont even have the time to do the training.

This is also why many dogs are returned to rescue because they are destructive when left home-alone.

I think cats (or other furries) are the best option for now and if circumstances change then perhaps there will be room in their lives for a dog.

OP - I'm just glad you have thought this through

Polmop

hock79 wrote: »

Polmop, they're adorable! Which came first, the lurcher or the cat? Did you get them as puppies/kitten or older?

We had one lurcher then got the kitten, the other lurcher was a rescue who came along last year.

He is the one who loves the cat though, they are the best of friends

Polmop

I must say, that I work full time and so does my husband, my daughter gets in from school at 4. That works fine in our house.
Even when i am not in work they just sleep all day and are awake evenings when we are all in.
They do get a good walk at about 6 every day, then a few hours at the beach on saturday and sunday.

Faith177

GoldenShadow wrote: »

I had two cats and then got a dog. Depending what breeds you want its not always impossible. Dogs like huskies with massive prey drives I wouldn't advise, but I have retrievers (labrador and a golden) and they got on fine. Cats died in the last year or two aged 18 and 19.

I think lurchers can have a bit of a prey drive, but I know with greyhound rescue they have cat tested greys so I imagine its not impossible. Having a cat doesn't rule out a dog, but a rescue cat sounds good! I'm not good with young cats though, so I'd always prefer an older one..!

Second this my female husky is fine with the cats the boy HATES them with a passion. I can never leave him alone with them. Doesn't help my cats are all windup merchants.

All but one of my girls (the cats) have been rescues and I get a great deal of satisfaction knowing I helped them out. Thought the way they act sometimes I'm not sure they feel the same :rotfl: