A cat for a dog person?

angeldelight

Hubby and I would both be very much dog people. He grew up with dogs, I didn’t but love them. I am however allergic to them (usually take an antihistamine and am grand.

Our three year old is fascinated with cats... one of our neighbours cats comes into our back garden now and again and lets her play with her - today she was even playing vet with her stethoscope checking the cat out. Anyway it’s very sweet seeing how delighted she is with the cat and we’ve started considering getting one.

We would definitely get one from a rescue. I am not 100% comfortable with cats, but Inwasnt 100% comfortable with babies either before I got one so am presuming that comes with time?

Any pitfalls you experienced people can think of that we may be overlooking? I’d prefer an indoor cat as don’t want gifts of half dead animals on my pillow but also want to be able to have windows of house open so would probably be a mix of both

metaoblivia

Usually dog people value a cat that will interact with them, so with that in mind, I would recommend visiting the shelter and seeing what cats/kittens they have available, and check those cats for certain personality traits, like friendliness, a willingness to approach you, curiosity, tolerates being handled, and I would include chattiness as well, although if a cat displays the other traits but is quiet, they should be fine as well. In my experience, chatty cats are almost always social as well. The shelter staff can also help identify cats that would fit your needs as dog people.

As for pitfalls... I would keep in mind that cats are solo hunters but social creatures. They require daily interaction and play time. Without that, they can become aloof and withdrawn. I think many dog people are also worried about cat scratches. On this front, I would advise you to read up on cat body language (it differs from dogs - for example, a "wagging" cat tail is not a good sign) and learn how to clip cat claws. One of my cats has never intentionally scratched me. But there have been a few times where he was running around the house, I was in his way and got an inadvertent scratch. It happens. Get a cat who doesn't mind being held and learn how to clip their claws to keep the impact of any scratches at a minimum.


Opinions vary on this, but I believe cats can be very happy indoors. They need toys and stimulation, but it can be done. I've also trained my cats to walk on leashes, so they do get to enjoy the outdoors. If the cat has access to the outdoors, even partially, you may find gifts. That's just what they do given the opportunity.

bilbot79

We got a ragdoll because they are like dogs in that they want to interact however we had to give it back after a week because it was so clingy and needy. Don't get one

Dinxminx

I have two ragdolls, so I can chime in here. In my experience they are the most like dogs that you can get while still being cats (hence the nickname 'puppycats')! My two are siblings and although at first I thought taking two was a mad idea, now I'm glad we did. They tire each other out and keep each other active, meaning they hardly ever wake us at night.

My two are great with people and other animals (other cats, dogs, you name it), go looking for you (I guess that's what the above person is saying about them being clingy) if you disappear for too long, are really friendly, run to greet people at the door and can sit and give the paw. They're smart, and have never made a single mess anywhere. They're indoor cats because we live in an apartment, but even if we didn't this breed can't really be let out to roam because their natural sense of suspicion is almost nil; they're extremely trusting. They're also extremely nice cats so chances are if you were to let them out they'd be stolen.

I take my girl cat out for walks just like a little dog, she trots along on the leash very happily and wants to go out every evening if possible. Boy cat is more of a lump and prefers to be carried to the park where he jumps and clings onto trees like a hefty koala. He licks my arm to wake me in the morning and they both like to run after sticks/paper straws/bouncing balls. I think if we'd only got one (the boy was originally supposed to be our only cat) I might have felt overwhelmed because he really does like to have A LOT of attention - he's prone to running over and chirping and then flopping down on his back for a belly rub if he's feeling ignored - but having the two of them is great and I think keeps them relaxed and healthy and confident. So that would be my suggestion; not one ragdoll but two*!

*Just to add I think adopting is amazing and definitely do it if you find the right cat. Like you, we are dog people and did a lot of looking around before deciding that this was the right thing for us. We live in an apartment so knew the cat would have to be indoors anyway, and we also want to adopt a shelter dog when we finally have a house with a garden, so it was important to us that we get a cat/cats that are super chill. All in all this is what we decided was best for both us and the cats, but adopting from a shelter is obviously the ideal!

One other thing I would add is that I think it's hard for dog people to come around to cats until they own them. I think the enthusiasm and obvious moods of dogs are really easy to pick up on, whereas with cats they're the same, just a lot more subtle about it. Once you live with them and get to know them though they're just great - funny and smart - and more like dogs than you would think whatever the breed!

Graces7

Dinxminx wrote: »

I have two ragdolls, so I can chime in here. In my experience they are the most like dogs that you can get while still being cats (hence the nickname 'puppycats')! My two are siblings and although at first I thought taking two was a mad idea, now I'm glad we did. They tire each other out and keep each other active, meaning they hardly ever wake us at night.

My two are great with people and other animals (other cats, dogs, you name it), go looking for you (I guess that's what the above person is saying about them being clingy) if you disappear for too long, are really friendly, run to greet people at the door and can sit and give the paw. They're smart, and have never made a single mess anywhere. They're indoor cats because we live in an apartment, but even if we didn't this breed can't really be let out to roam because their natural sense of suspicion is almost nil; they're extremely trusting. They're also extremely nice cats so chances are if you were to let them out they'd be stolen.

I take my girl cat out for walks just like a little dog, she trots along on the leash very happily and wants to go out every evening if possible. Boy cat is more of a lump and prefers to be carried to the park where he jumps and clings onto trees like a hefty koala. He licks my arm to wake me in the morning and they both like to run after sticks/paper straws/bouncing balls. I think if we'd only got one (the boy was originally supposed to be our only cat) I might have felt overwhelmed because he really does like to have A LOT of attention - he's prone to running over and chirping and then flopping down on his back for a belly rub if he's feeling ignored - but having the two of them is great and I think keeps them relaxed and healthy and confident. So that would be my suggestion; not one ragdoll but two*!

*Just to add I think adopting is amazing and definitely do it if you find the right cat. Like you, we are dog people and did a lot of looking around before deciding that this was the right thing for us. We live in an apartment so knew the cat would have to be indoors anyway, and we also want to adopt a shelter dog when we finally have a house with a garden, so it was important to us that we get a cat/cats that are super chill. All in all this is what we decided was best for both us and the cats, but adopting from a shelter is obviously the ideal!

One other thing I would add is that I think it's hard for dog people to come around to cats until they own them. I think the enthusiasm and obvious moods of dogs are really easy to pick up on, whereas with cats they're the same, just a lot more subtle about it. Once you live with them and get to know them though they're just great - funny and smart - and more like dogs than you would think whatever the breed!

Beautiful post. Thank you.

My three are all rescues; 2 are 13 years old. The biggest follows me when I take the dog out.. Lies in wait by the gate lest we try to give him the slip.
No lead needed..

The few cats on the island now are tiny and inbred and mine are big and longhaired and caused a stir.
They are utterly and totally devoted to me. As is the dog, but with the cats it is more.... intense and internal.
A rescue cat is perfect. When I got my first rescue, decades ago now, I stood by the cages and waited, looking at the ground.... one little cat climbed up the mesh to as near to me as she could get and gave this mighty MIAOU!

boomerang

Have you checked if you are also allergic to cats?

Graces7

metaoblivia wrote: »

Opinions vary on this, but I believe cats can be very happy indoors. They need toys and stimulation, but it can be done. I've also trained my cats to walk on leashes, so they do get to enjoy the outdoors. If the cat has access to the outdoors, even partially, you may find gifts. That's just what they do given the opportunity.

I got a gift today just outside the inner gate. A good sized dead rat.It made me very thankful that my free range cats are doing their job.

Dinxminx

I didn't get my two gurriers in Ireland, so I can't comment on that. Our vet called our little dude "majestic" and I had to laugh because most of the time he is chatting to me and rolling around looking for a belly rub.... Not sure majestic is the adjective I would choose! He's a large, fluffy lump though!

Yours sound amazing and almost like they chose you rather than the other way around! Do you think they've mellowed and got more cuddly with age?

Graces7

Dinxminx wrote: »

I didn't get my two gurriers in Ireland, so I can't comment on that. Our vet called our little dude "majestic" and I had to laugh because most of the time he is chatting to me and rolling around looking for a belly rub.... Not sure majestic is the adjective I would choose! He's a large, fluffy lump though!

Yours sound amazing and almost like they chose you rather than the other way around! Do you think they've mellowed and got more cuddly with age?

I got the twins from a terrible cat rescue place as kittens. They came equipped with feline enteritis so the first weeks were a battle and I lost one of the three. Boycat went missing and I found him hiding in the garden with that I AM DYING..LEAVE ME ALONE look in his young eyes. I refused so after that the bond was strong, He remembers...

We have moved several times and now this island is safe and great for them. Local cats are rare and inbred and tiny so these three caused a riot!

They have always been tactile and huggy. Now though they sleep in the kitchen more than on my bed.

BrokenArrows

Youre going to have to find a very friendly cat thats willing to have a 3 year old play with it.

We're adopting two kittens at the moment. Brother and sister. The sister is very very friendly and is very placid and will cuddle up to anyone. The brother takes a bit more convincing and also just likes to be left alone.

If your goal is to have a child friendly cat you might be better of getting an older cat who has a track record of being good with kids rather than a kitten that might grow up to be a bit of a loaner and not like being handled.

Graces7

BrokenArrows wrote: »

Youre going to have to find a very friendly cat thats willing to have a 3 year old play with it.

We're adopting two kittens at the moment. Brother and sister. The sister is very very friendly and is very placid and will cuddle up to anyone. The brother takes a bit more convincing and also just likes to be left alone.

If your goal is to have a child friendly cat you might be better of getting an older cat who has a track record of being good with kids rather than a kitten that might grow up to be a bit of a loaner and not like being handled.

Agree totally from decades of life with cats My latest adoptee, Jacob, would be perfect. He was a year old when he came, loved everyone on sight and very tactile and affectionate.

RedBullBabe

You should check you are not allergic to cats also...

But, if you both love dogs, then why not get one that doesn't shed? It's the dander that causes the allergy, not the fur, but a dog with hair (like ours that grows and doesn't come out in clumps during the summer) is your best bet.

You'll be looking at a Shih Tzu (U have one and have had no problems at all, and I have asthma, allergies, and no immune system due to medication), Llasa Apso, Yorkshire Terrier, Bischon Frise, Maltese, to name a few. Or these are combinations of the above. That's just the smallish ones. There are medium and large dogs with hair also.

Of course there is then grooming often. A puppy cut is a basic best for a low maintenance routine. I can't give a ballpark groomer quote because I cut my own dogs hair myself, but the smaller the dog the smaller the fee.

You will spend a lot of time cleaning up cat hairs though. I have two cats, short, and their hairs get every where, and they shed all year around.

In my experience, a male pet is best, as they will be much more chilled out, loving and friendly. There are exceptions to that rule though.

I wouldn't set your heart on a particular type or breed of pet though. I would look around at everything and see what you fall in love with upon meeting (or picks you).

I understand that your child loved playing with the cat, but being a parent, you'll be the ones responsible for the pet. Kittens are great for the first year or two, because of the playful factor, but after that, not so much, and then, like with any animal, it depends on their personality. Long or short term, your child may get bored or change their mind. I would go out looking for a family pet, not just a pet for your child; that way you won't consider rehoming it in the future when the novelty wears off if they lose interest, and you resent having it there because they don't want it.

Having all different kinds of animals, and a child (now a teen), I would definitely go with a dog over a cat. At least you can still do things as a family and take your dog along (once it has had its vaccinations and been microchipped - though most should have been already upon purchase). Although, if you are both working, and no one is home during the day or evening, then you would probably be better off with getting some goldfish or a hamster, because there is no point adding an active pet to your family if it is just going to be stuck inside all day (and I don't advocate leaving pets outside either).

angeldelight

Thanks for all the replies! Been a bit hectic here but have been reading all the responses and they’re much appreciated. I’ve broken out in hives when licked by dogs before so I think even a hypoallergenic breed wouldn’t work for us. In saying that a simple antihistamine always works for me so there’s the possibility it would be ok if I took one daily but it’s hard to know. What I absolutely don’t want to do is adopt any animal and then give them back, I don’t want to rush anything. I’ve followed some of the cat rescues On Facebook and there’s such a huge number of them out there looking for homes.

I take the point about some not appreciating a 3 year olds attentions!

Eve2001

angeldelight wrote: »

Our three year old is fascinated with cats... one of our neighbours cats comes into our back garden now and again and lets her play with her - today she was even playing vet with her stethoscope checking the cat out. Anyway it’s very sweet seeing how delighted she is with the cat and we’ve started considering getting one.

We would definitely get one from a rescue. I am not 100% comfortable with cats, but Inwasnt 100% comfortable with babies either before I got one so am presuming that comes with time?

Any pitfalls you experienced people can think of that we may be overlooking? I’d prefer an indoor cat as don’t want gifts of half dead animals on my pillow but also want to be able to have windows of house open so would probably be a mix of both

I got a 4 month old cat that had been kept as an outdoor pet before this. She just about tolerates people in short doses and wouldn't even stay indoors after being spayed.

She later had 2 kittens that were inside on and off since about 3 weeks old. They were so much more friendly, playful and gentle because of being handled from a young age.

So I'd make sure any cat you get has had a lot of human contact from a very young age as in my experience they form personalities very quickly. Especially since you've a child, you want the cat to be patient/ tolerating.


My mam wasn't a cat person either but kittens are so adorable and unthreatening that she was comfortable with them and their growth is gradual so without realising it she got comfortable with adult cats.


Cats can be just as affectionate and playful as dogs (and there's alot less you've to do with them), it's just a matter of observing their temperament/ personality before adopting.


**If you do decide to get a cat, make sure you spay/ neuter to stop girls from getting pregnant and boys from wandering, saving yourself a lot of heartache in the long run.

Rubberchikken

I absolutely adore dogs and because we always had a dog and no cats i was always a bit unsure around them, especially larger ones.
Today due to taking in a stray 12 years ago we have 3 from the same family and another stray who showed up a decade ago and never left.
I wouldnt be without any of them and our dog gets on great with them.
The cats are outdoor cats with their own little house and a very large garden.
Some people will only want a cat, some a dog. We're lucky to have both:)