Staffies and cats :)

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Hi everyone,

I have never used a forum in my life! So here goes...

This is my gorgeous 2 year old boy Jake - he is great with children (and bearded dragons, chameleons, snakes, snails, spiders and geckos but hey) - anyway, my daughter really wants a cat, he has been around cats at other peoples house when we go visiting (we take him nearly everywhere with us) - just wondered if anyone has any experience with dogs and cats and the best way to go about it

Thank you x

Sorry I've not got a cat but have a read through this it may help and there's lots of members with cats hopefully they'll be along shortly xx

http://staffy-bull-terrier.com/introducing_dogs_and_cats

Hi are you intending getting a cat?   

Thank you for the link I qill have a look

We are considering getting a cat yes but not until we are sure Jake would be happy with one - someone suggested "borrowing" a cat for a few days but then I feel mean on the kitty for being taken from its home, settle here then thrown back again!

xx

I've had both before but they grew up together as well. If he is good with other animals he may not have an issue with a cat as he has been around them before without incident.

In my experience, cats are quite likely to spend a few days hiding under the bed in a strange place/with new people anyway - even without a boisterous hound present. So any test could take quite a long time for all parties to settle and reduce their panic levels. If a traumatic event occurs, like dogs, cats will never forget it.

That said, I acknowledge that several people (also on this forum) do seem to manage to keep dogs and cats together in perfect harmony. For myself, I had an old cat, Rest his Soul, who died at the age of 22 in Oct 2012. I delayed getting a dog (which for me turned out to be the handsome Douglas, pictured) until the old boy had passed as, in my certain judgment, the cat would have hated it.

As it turns out, Douglas goes into prey overdrive whenever he sees a cat and has to be held onto very tightly (in this he is far from unique). I dont know whether he would ever manage to express peace and love to all (some) cats in time, but any specimen brought in for an experiment would definitely not enjoy the experience of gazing close-up at his clanging, snapping jaws.

We have spoke to a lady today who is looking to rehome her elderly mothers cat as she is going into a care home

The cat has always been around dogs which I think would be a bonus and we have agreed to take Jake to her house a few times before we make any decisions.

She left a blanket with the cats scent on it and Jake is currently cuddled up to it snoring very loudly!

The best of luck then. If you go softly-softly, hopefully it will be ok.

You did the right thing getting the blanket. When you visit the cat's house you will be able to tell from his reaction whether it will work   

my two get along with our 2 cats - gizzy has grown up with them so theyre like siblings --- jessie however is kk while they are in the house- but in the garden her prey drive kicks in and she chases - so keep that in mind- also we have a stairgate so cats have a dog free zone to chill

sorry cant really help as sash hates cats and goes mad if one even comes in to our garden,hope it works out for you if you get one   

We have stairgates everywhere as my children are only 2 and my youngest is 11 months so their is one for the kitchen when we are cooking, one at the bottom of stairs, top of the stairs, in to the bedroom and also on the bathroom as my 2 year old floods the place

to a large extent it depends on the dog tbh. i couldnt keep a cat or anything else fluffy as it would be wragged in seconds. however maleys brother lives with a cat, ghekos, two pure staffs and another cross with no problem. my ex wife has chincillas and a staff cross mastiff and look at this pick to see the harmoney in that house...they even nibble his nails.


and he wasnt brought up with them as he was a three year old rescue

Nathan's got a good point, guess it does depend on the dog really.

My Flo has a very unhealthy interest in cats but ignores the Parrot altogether   

Good luck and let us know how it goes.

snoop was alright when we got Tigger as a kitten. They kind of walk pasted each other keeping some distance. tigger was more than capable of taking care of himself lol.
Lula was a puppy and we just took it very slowly, now they can be in the same room not bothering each other.

They all get along ok in our house. Although Lottie the fluffy one tends to keep her distance

I think - after all this - we have decided against it!

Jake is the only "uncaged" animal in our house if that makes sense - I kinda feel I might upset him if we bring in another!

Plus from the cats point of view, I have a 2 year old and an 11 month old, I can't promise that I can keep an eye on Jake and any cat 24/7 or even enough to ensure that nothing happed - so now is not the time for a new addition!

Thank you for all your answers though, you were all very helpful