Can I cope with a dog, 2 cats and a rabbit?

Croc_Mad

What will you do if your dog and cats hate each other? I had my rescue dog from a young puppy and he has never got on with the cats. That was two years ago, they still don't get on. The cats now live upstairs and the dog has downstairs. Training doesn't overcome instinct.

trolleyrun

How about offering to foster a dog from a rescue to gain experience? So many dogs need a foster home and it gives you the option of not having the dog forever, especially if your OH isn't sure whether he wants a dog. Lots of rescues have been "tested" with cats so should get on with yours. Just a suggestion

anarchied

CATS wrote: »

Once he is a bit bigger, he can stay at home until my son comes back from school. Whilst holidaying he will stay with my best friend who also has a dog

How long is he being left at home for "once he's bigger"? 7 hours? 8?

Please think about fostering or adopting. There are waaay too many dogs without homes in rescue centres.

CATS

Hi All,

I probably should have mentioned I grew up with dogs, had a couple of yorkies as family pets, as much as I love my cats I have always wanted a dog as they give so much back in terms of love and affection.

Person_one my best friend has a bichon frise and they are too big for me.

anarchied, he might be alone 6 hours max but the likelyhood is I will continue to take him to work with me.

and dont even get me started on adopting and fostering, their rules and regulations make it almost impossible, I wanted to rescue a kitten and raise him as indoors with garden access only and was told by the rescue cetre to just go buy one as it is against the cats instincts!!!!! despite me already having my lovely blue boy, I was quizzed like a criminal for wanting to adopt, so no thank you

GBNI

Try a different rescue centre It really does depend who you deal with. The kennel manager of where I got my dog wanted us to jump through hoops, but the kennel staff themselves were much more helpful

CATS

GBNI, to be honest I have had enough with rescue centres, if the situation is so desperate for the animals I dont undersatnd why they make live so difficult for those that want to adopt. I have a large 3 bedroom home, there is only me, hubby and 14 year old son, my rabbit has his own room, we have a large garden but somehow all this is not enough, I have spoken to a few rescue centres before and they always find something, either too far, cannot be outdoor, house has to be adapted for cat!!!!! really it is such a hassle

~Chameleon~

CATS wrote: »

anarchied, he might be alone 6 hours max but the likelyhood is I will continue to take him to work with me.

I honestly think 6 hours is far too long to leave a dog on its own. Would this be every weekday? Is there anyone who could come in and walk it midday so it was only left for 2-3hrs at a time?

squeakypurple

It's such a shame that so many people have negative experiences with adoption centres. But they're in a really difficult position. There are so many people that abuse pets (hence how many end up in the rescue centre in the first place) that they have to have some safety protocols. Especially if they're set up as a charity - those that donate should feel comfortable that their money is being used responsibly.
If you've wanted a dog for so long a rescue centre would be able to help you patiently get the right newbie for your family? The one near ours would let us 'try' dogs and cats (after the initial application/inspection period) for a short period to see how they fit together. That said, with 2 cats and a rabbit, I'd go for a puppy myself to make sure I could integrate them fully with the existing family!

Person_one

CATS wrote: »

Person_one my best friend has a bichon frise and they are too big for me.

Too big? Are you getting them mixed up with another breed? How much smaller do you think a Maltese is?

Such a shame about your attitude to rescue, I adopted two dogs while living in a flat and working so forgive me but I'm always skeptical about these tales of how 'impossible' it is, but best of luck anyway.

hgotsparkle

If you're doubting whether or not you can cope, then don't get one.