thinking about bringing my first cat into the home

[hokie11]

ive never owned a cat because i thought i was allergic when i was younger, but i tested myself around a few cats recently and randomly with friends' cats and had no reaction...

curious as to what you all think about bringing a cat into a home with a 9 month old boxer.. shes very gentle and just loves to play, very submissive so she doesnt really go after much and is content with her toys and just laying around with us..

i am probably going to petco when they have groups like SMAWL and other adoption groups on the weekends to ask the same question

is raising a kitty really all that much different from a dog? our boxer is also crate trained so she stays in a crate when we're at work and only roams when we're home or when we go to the park. i definitely know the basics with litter boxes and such, but was curious about any special needs they may have compared to dogs. i might be a bit worried if my boxer gets jealous seeing a cat getting to roam all day while shes in her crate lol

 

[MysticalMom]

I love my cats because they're mine and once I get an animal it's mine for it's lifetime, but if I had to do it all over again I'd stick with dogs.

 

[Larry Gude]

is raising a kitty really all that much different from a dog?

Yes. Dogs are loyal and affectionate and dutiful.

Cats are ambivalent if not overtly disloyal, affectionate only when they want something and are poster children for the bum class.


Dogs will help protect your home.

Cats will put your stuff on e bay while you are at work.


Dogs will eat their own puke, thus, self cleaning.

Cats will leave you 'presents' right in the middle of the kitchen floor.


Dogs will take you for a walk.

Cats will lock the door the moment you step outside.


Dogs are happy to see you no matter what.

Cats may or may not notice you are home.


Dogs are grateful for any affection you give them.

Cats will grate you if you get near them and they're not in the mood.


Dogs will watch whatever you want to watch.

Cats are why we can never find the remote.


If you fall and can't get up, dogs will go get help.

If you fall and can't get up, cats will start gettijng out the condiments.


Other than that, they're pretty much the same.

 

[toppick08]

Yes. Dogs are loyal and affectionate and dutiful.

Cats are ambivalent if not overtly disloyal, affectionate only when they want something and are poster children for the bum class.


Dogs will help protect your home.

Cats will put your stuff on e bay while you are at work.


Dogs will eat their own puke, thus, self cleaning.

Cats will leave you 'presents' right in the middle of the kitchen floor.


Dogs will take you for a walk.

Cats will lock the door the moment you step outside.


Dogs are happy to see you no matter what.

Cats may or may not notice you are home.


Dogs are grateful for any affection you give them.

Cats will grate you if you get near them and they're not in the mood.


Dogs will watch whatever you want to watch.

Cats are why we can never find the remote.


If you fall and can't get up, dogs will go get help.

If you fall and can't get up, cats will start gettijng out the condiments.


Other than that, they're pretty much the same.

..thanks Larry, needed a good laugh this morning....

 

[libertytyranny]

Yes. Dogs are loyal and affectionate and dutiful.

Cats are ambivalent if not overtly disloyal, affectionate only when they want something and are poster children for the bum class.


Dogs will help protect your home.

Cats will put your stuff on e bay while you are at work.


Dogs will eat their own puke, thus, self cleaning.

Cats will leave you 'presents' right in the middle of the kitchen floor.


Dogs will take you for a walk.

Cats will lock the door the moment you step outside.


Dogs are happy to see you no matter what.

Cats may or may not notice you are home.


Dogs are grateful for any affection you give them.

Cats will grate you if you get near them and they're not in the mood.


Dogs will watch whatever you want to watch.

Cats are why we can never find the remote.


If you fall and can't get up, dogs will go get help.

If you fall and can't get up, cats will start gettijng out the condiments.


Other than that, they're pretty much the same.

haha. You forgot to add that they look up porn while you are away...


really though, I adore my cats..they are a different sort of pet. Now, I love my doggy as well..but sometimes when im napping on the couch with the kitty I realize they both have their place..as for a boxer, I have never had one..but if you check with the local rescues they have tons of cats and kittens and since many are in foster homes they can tell you which animals do well with dogs and other cats..thats an added benefit of adoption..you can get the low down on their personality before you adopt them

 

[cattitude]

I have a great Boxer-proof kitty for ya! My 10 week old foster kitty (a bottle baby) has been raised around my three Boxers...he loves them and they are fine with him. Garth has been neutered, had his shots and is negative for Feline Leukemia/Aids.

You will definitely have to supervise your pup until you are sure he understands not to hurt the kitten but since the pup is young, you should be able to train him to be gentle.

 

[ash26]

I think bringing a cat in for your boxer would be great. I rescued a kitten, and got a boxer a month later. They are best buds and play great together! I would reccomend what she said above, rescue a kitty that has been raised around pups.

 

[hokie11]

I have a great Boxer-proof kitty for ya! My 10 week old foster kitty (a bottle baby) has been raised around my three Boxers...he loves them and they are fine with him. Garth has been neutered, had his shots and is negative for Feline Leukemia/Aids.

You will definitely have to supervise your pup until you are sure he understands not to hurt the kitten but since the pup is young, you should be able to train him to be gentle.

my boxer is so sweet, though a horrible guard dog because everyone that comes in, she just runs to and licks them to death
being a boxer that she is, i am afraid she may paw a kitten too much, but supervising her has never really been a problem and she learns quickly

do you have pictures of the kitty? its still under debate with my fiancee, but i think it would be a nice addition to the family

 

[cattitude]

my boxer is so sweet, though a horrible guard dog because everyone that comes in, she just runs to and licks them to death
being a boxer that she is, i am afraid she may paw a kitten too much, but supervising her has never really been a problem and she learns quickly

Of course you would have to supervise them..Garth is still small and he doesn't fear dogs although he might initially be afraid of your Boxer because she's not one of "his" dogs but he will adjust quickly.

I really hope he is adopted by somebody with dogs and/or cats. He really enjoys playing with everyone here.

He is available through PAWS and will be at Petco in California this weekend..Saturday, I think.

do you have pictures of the kitty? its still under debate with my fiancee, but i think it would be a nice addition to the family

I need to get some newer ones but here are a few...

 

[Bay_Kat]

This says it all...

 

[hokie11]

aw, i was planning to stop by petco this saturday too! taking my boxer to a community doggy dip at the pool, which they have once a year... itll be her first dip into a pool so itll be interesting. she absolutely loves water and playing with hoses and hopping in the shower with us willingly, so i think she will take it well. plus i bought a nice life vest for her since i know boxers are poor swimmers lol

pardon my lack of knowledge about cats, but aside from a litterbox, food, toys, maybe a carpetted tower thing, what else should a cat have? im trying to see how it will fit my budget

 

[libertytyranny]

aw, i was planning to stop by petco this saturday too! taking my boxer to a community doggy dip at the pool, which they have once a year... itll be her first dip into a pool so itll be interesting. she absolutely loves water and playing with hoses and hopping in the shower with us willingly, so i think she will take it well. plus i bought a nice life vest for her since i know boxers are poor swimmers lol

pardon my lack of knowledge about cats, but aside from a litterbox, food, toys, maybe a carpetted tower thing, what else should a cat have? im trying to see how it will fit my budget

One of the great things about cats is their relative low cost! That being said there are of course some things they need. If you adopt (which you def should!) they come already vetted and fixed for a great price ( usually 100-125) in that case all that is generally needed are rabies shots (10 bucks at smawls clinic) and occasional boosters. Indoor cats are generally robustly healthy and require little vet care..the things you mentioned are great..i would only add a good carrier which can be bought from..hmm..the well pet clinic for 10 or 15 bucks... litter can add up quickly but if u buy in bulk its not too bad. food is generally affordable, even wet food which I give my kitty once a day.

 

[DoWhat]

This says it all...

So true.
We have 5 cats and 2 dogs.
They all get along great.