Kitten?

[sarahl]

Hi, I'd really appreciate some advice.

I have a four year old gorgeous whippet, Dylan. I also have a fourteen year old cat who hopefully will last a while longer! I would really love a kitten. The thought of having a house one day without a cat is just awful

Dylan is a chaser though. Never been a problem with my old cat as of course we had him first, but he would chase a cat if we went to friends who had one and so on.

I would like to get a long-haired pedigree. Some are known for being laid back and would look for one that was used to dogs and not phased by them. Am I being stupid thinking I could gradually and in a controlled way introduce Dylan to it though? Being around at home and being able to separate them for some time is not an issue.

Comments gratefully received.

[Lisa]

Take introducing a hound to a cat and times it by about 10 with a kitten. Sadly kittens are so much faster and much more playful and it can excite a dog much much more. You would need to take it very very slowly and be caution at all times. If Dylan is a known chaser you could end up tearing your hair out everytime the kitten legged it up the curtains etc if he took off after her. It can be done but you are totally right to wonder how much work would be involved

[helen7]

I have a 14 year old cat too (a siamese who is a house cat) and the house will be horribly empty when he goes to rainbow bridge but I must admit I wouldn't risk getting a kitten and I have thought about it. Two of my hounds are wonderful with my cat but still I wouldn't take the risk (2 of my other hounds aren't as good). Kittens are small, furry and giddy ;D and I think just too tempting for a chasing hound. I think (and I'm not suggesting you're doing this ;D) it can be easy to forget how giddy kittens can be, especially when you do have a mature cat. They can very suddenly set off at high speed, darting around and jumping about. Have you thought about a rescued adult cat? They could still be a pedigree long-haired type.

Obviously the choice is yours as you know your hound and what he's like. Good luck in whatever you decide

eta I'm not saying it's not do-able, just I'm not sure I'd take the risk if your hound is a chaser.

[bobsmam]

Our house is intact because the cats are top-dog, if that makes sense. They only have to hiss and the dogs run a mile. You wouldn't get that with a kitten, so for my hounds bringing in a kitten would be that start of WW3.

You know your dog so you have the best idea of how he'll react, but the kitten is the unknown quantity

[alexandsteve]

Hi,

I have a very skitty mad 8 year old cat who thinks she is a kitten all over again!!! I also have a Whippet x and a whippet who are both 95% of the time cat friendly (they know the LEAVE IT rule very well ) but... when my cat is going crackers around the house my whippet becomes interested in the fast moving fluff ball, which I can understand and has on a few occasions jumped off the sofa with the intention to CHASE.

I love cats and have previously thought about having another but I have decided against it for this reason. I have to have eyes in the back of my head now when my cat is having a manic 5 minutes, I cant even begin to imagine what it could be like it I had a kitten added into the equation too!!

Good luck with your decision making

Alex

[sarahl]

Thank you all so much for your comments. You are right, a kitten is probably not a good idea. I might consider an adult rescue cat at sometime in the future, but will give it lots of thought first.