I have 5 cats. Is it ridiculous to add a dog to the family?

If you can afford it I would go for it. Please look at what the humane society or other shelters have before going to a pet store.

My opinion is to get a dog. Why not? Everything you have posted tells me you are very responsible and I think a dog could only add to your family. Let us know what you decide.

I would never go to a pet store or buy a pure breed.

Do all of your cats have their shots, and are they spayed/neutered?

Whatever makes you happy – as long as the kittehs agree.

Spayed and neutered. No shots since the first series. Will that matter?

Sounds like you are giving this good thought, but, I would only caution to be as self aware as you are capable of.

Sometimes people impulsively desire a new pet just like being a shopaholic. lol

Not saying this is the case, but…it is always wise to really examine your motives.

Do you feel you appriciate and devote enough time and attention to the 5 cats you have now?

Are you feeling lonely, bored?

Are you fully prepared for the training, expense and adjustment factor of adding a puppy to the household?

Are you in fantasy land about what kind of adoration a dog might bring to you? haha

Do your ‘work’ for the sake of all parties involved.

Maybe a new set of golf clubs would be more enjoyable in the long run, only you know the answer to that. ;-)

1. I have been thinking about this for a few months. I’m not being impulsive.
2. I am a cat lover. I don’t need adoration, obviously.
3. Not lonely or bored.
4. I said puppy to be cute. I was actually thinking about an older dog.
5. My cats are spoiled little monsters.

Golf? Eww.

I have always had dogs and cats together, no big deal until now. The dog I have is part dingo, very prey driven. In addition to that she grew up in an aboriginal town camp so was starved until we adopted. She is a cat killer, actually anything small and furry or feathered or vaguely resembling food is not safe in her presence.

So I personally would probably adopt an adult dog who has a proven track record with cats. This is where pure bred dog rescues are usually more thorough than the average shelter. Dogs adopted from pure bred rescues have been temperament tested so you know in advance if they are safe around kids or cats, etc. Also certain breeds are more laid back in general so safer around cats. And you are saving a life, many pure bred dogs are put down because there simply are not enough homes to save them all.

I usually suggest English Cocker Spaniels. They do have to be groomed and have some potential health problems but make wonderful pets, are usually good with cats, are smart and loving. As you said, do your homework and you should be fine.

Go for it. If you have the space, budget, time, patience, and love… then absolutely. I have 3 cats and 2 dogs, myself. And no pet wars in my house, they all get along just fine. One big, happy family.

@noelleptc – yep poodles are another breed that I love. If you don’t like the prissy look of a groomed poodle, then just get them a buzz cut now and again. They too are so smart, trainable and generally easy going. You have to be careful though, again temperament testing is a good idea, some can be quite hyper. A well bred one however, is a very easy dog to live with and train.

There really are so many great breeds. And I love mutts too, I have one now. The only problem for @psychocandy is that she needs to know what she is getting, that is why I suggest a critter that has been temperament tested before bringing into her feline domain.

Adding a dog is no more ridiculous than having five cats. Why worry? :)

Go for it, then! But…dogs require more attention than cats.

Get the dog and if all six sleep in a pile that would be awesome and you could send us a picture.

If the house is already a cat-heavy house (I almost said a “cat house”), the dog should adapt pretty quickly in my experience. That being said, my mantra is to do whatever the hell my wife says and it’s kept me happy for quite some time…

(I have pile pictures of dogs and cats!)

(I have pile pictures of dogs and cats!)

Do you have pictures of piles of dogs and cats?

I won’t pass judgment on your sanity, but I’ll say that I wouldn’t do it. I’d be thinking of the comfort and happiness of the cats to whom I’m already committed.

Even if they’re fine with dogs on a visitor basis, having one move in and hog the spotlight, be a larger body in all the best napping spots, have a louder voice, get a bigger dinner bowl, clamor constantly for attention, and get fussed over as a newcomer would vex any self-respecting feline. The odds that at least one out of five would be seriously distressed and utterly unforgiving would just be too great for me.

Instead I’d go visit a friend when I needed a doggy fix but take care not to disrupt the furry harmony of my home.

LOL! Oops!

@Jeruba They have actually lived with a dog. My boy cat ran roughshod all over the German Shepherd.

It does make sense, but if I followed that logic I’d only have one cat.

If you get a shelter dog it’s quite possible that you could try it out in the house for a few days before committing.

Would she think you were crazy if it was another cat you were adding? To me, adding a cat (pretty easy to train) and adding a puppy are like night and day. Is your wife not as big a pet person as you? Do you think she doesn’t want to go through training someone new and has gotten all comfy with the family just as it is?

I have two cats and two dogs. They’d all be lost without each other.

My friend brougt over his 13 year old miniature Beagle, Mrs. Beasley. I’m going to do some immersion testing. So far, good.

Personally, I think it might get a bit crazy in the house with all the animals, but that is less of an issue if it’s a big house and they can disperse to different areas. My last roommate situation, there were two dogs and two cats, and things were sometimes really chaotic with the animals running around and stuff. However, in a way, that activity is kind of nice and I miss it a little. I know my cat loved living there with all the stimulation.

I have a friend who did exactly that: added a puppy to a family of five cats, and it worked very well. Make sure the cats have places to escape to that the puppy can’t reach.

O, and I’d go with a puppy rather than an older dog. One who can grow up thinking he’s a cat, like our lab did.

I’d love to have a dog to share with my cat. I think it’s a wonderful idea. And so fascinating watching the dog and cats learn to interact with one another. But be careful about the dog, a too rambunctious puppy may, with intent only to play, provoke the cat to attack and the pup’s eyes could be hurt.
I actually would think an older dog who is used to cats, like a lab who has slowed down a bit, might be better, and might save a critter at the pound.

As long as the dog won’t be neglected due to everyone’s schedules being booked all the time, which from your description doesn’t seem to be an issue. The second obvious question you should ask yourself is if you can afford it. If all of these things are things you can do then go for it. If you ever have any questions about dog foods feel free to ask, I have been couched in dog foods and what to look out for. Im also in charge of the kennel at my pet store, so feel free to ask me anything. good luck!

I think that it is not fare to your 5 cats to factor a dog into your family. The more pets that you have the smaller the love/time ration there will be for each animal.

We had 3 cats and that seemed to be too much as there wasn’t enough time to spend with each of them. They each seem to need more of my attention than I could give but I did my best. Sadly our favorite cat disappeared last April. He was the undisputed king of our house. Now his sister has assumed position as the un anointed queen of the house. Such a dramatic personality change in the previously shy female cat was remarkable.

Good luck with your pets.

I say, go for it. You’re probably one of the best, most caring pet people that I know.

When I lived with my ex, we had 4 cats and two dogs. Often, you would find a dog and cat sleeping whisker to whisker. We had no issues. :)

I have had as many as 4 dogs at one time and 2 cats.
If you have the yard and the time, then you are all set for a dog.
Your cats are used to dogs you mentioned. If you get a puppy or young dog, then he will learn to respect the cats immediately.

Only you can answer that question, really.

Things to consider are:

First off, can you afford to take care of a dog in addition to the cats? Are you prepared for the different costs involved with owning a dog? They eat more (depending) they need more personal time and attention, they have WAY more demands and they develop different health issues than cats do.

If you can afford the dog and provide for it properly, (food, attention, healthcare, etc.) then explore all the options and needs, weigh the pros vs. the cons and make your decision.

I’m sure you know all this, and are most likely a responsible pet owner, but I just like to cover all the bases when it comes to people questioning about whether to take on another pet….so please, don’t take this as criticism, but rather as just good advice.

Just remember, the thing about owning ANY animal or animals is that they depend SOLELY on YOU for their needs. Love, care, attention, etc. it all lands on YOU. If you can not love the animal and consider it to be a member of the family and not just an animal or novelty, then you don’t need it, nor deserve it.

Animals give unconditional love – they love you no matter what you do. If you can not do the same for the animal, then no is the answer.

Dogs and cats are different, think it through, learn about the breed you are interested in getting, read up, talk to other people, go online and join forums related to the breed or just dogs in general, and make sure you’ve got what it takes.

Do your homework and you’ll know whether it’s the right move for you. And please consider adopting or getting a rescue before buying from a pet store. The last thing we need to do is keep promoting pet stores who deal with puppy mills. Adopt, don’t shop.

Best of luck!

Oh – and another thing – Make sure that if you do this, you won’t be putting any stress on your relationship with your wife. You stated that she thinks you’re crazy for wanting a dog—but does she really mean that or is she just making a silly statement? Something to consider. Some people won’t voice their true feelings about things until you pin them down…...so that’s the other thing I would do. Make certain that it isn’t going to create any waves between the two of you.

I don’t think so. Go for it.

@mikeyc2010

Makes a good point in making sure you have ironed out the details with your partner.

A pet is a family affair and if one person does not really want it, they still need to be willing to pick up the slack if the primary caretaker is unable to.

Better be sure your mate is willing to feed, walk or otherwise tend to the animal if you are sick, working late, whatever.

If you are not clear on what role they will play, if any, in getting a new pet, that needs to be seriously discussed or it can cause resentment in your relationship and neglect of the animal.

I would never associate with anyone who would neglect an animal. My wife is actually the dog person of the family.

We need to see a pic, pc. :)

We decided not to get a dog, for many reasons. Instead, we got a house bunny. Her name is Daisy and she is the best bunny, ever.

a….a bunny? Amongst the carnivores????

They make great companions. Everyone is getting along great.

Once upon a time my kids brought home a baby-baby bunny. I had a nursing cat at the time and I put the baby bunny on her. It actually worked for a couple of days! Then…something flipped. Unfortunately it didn’t work out like you see on the internet, but it was a couple of interesting, hopeful days!

:(

@Dutchess_III Debbie Downer!

No…the Mom didn’t hurt the bunny. I was watching carefully and caught it when the mom started going, “WTH????” And started shoving the bunny away. When the Mom got aggressive when I tried to put baby back on her we….let the baby go in the field.