Re-homing a cat

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Discussion

surveyor

Original Poster:

17,818 posts

184 months

Monday 28th April 2014
quotequote all
The time has come for us to make a tough decision with regards to one of our cats - she has to go.

The cat is a homebody who likes nothing better than to laze the day on the back of the sofa. Unfortunately Domino the dalmation see's this as the perfect opportunity to eat cat. The cat does not realise that she can get him into order, and is basically terrified of the dog.

This has morphed into her spending all day in dark corners, and refusing to come downstairs to go out, or use the litter tray. She eats while the dog is out on walks.

She's not happy, and needs to live in a house without dogs.

Anyone any experience in rehoming cats? Alternatively anyone want a 7 year old ginger and white cat!


rudecherub

1,997 posts

166 months

Monday 28th April 2014
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had great success with http://www.feliway.com/uk/ feliway, calms the cat, modern rub butter on their paws.

I believe there is a similar product for dogs, but I have no experience of it, it maybe worth a punt on both.

My cat adapted to a new dog, became more confident with just feliway.

surveyor

Original Poster:

17,818 posts

184 months

Monday 28th April 2014
quotequote all
We've been trying for 18 months. It's not working she'll be happier in a home without a dog.

Jasandjules

69,885 posts

229 months

Monday 28th April 2014
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Rehome the dog?

eybic

9,212 posts

174 months

Monday 28th April 2014
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Good luck, if I was closer, I'd be tempted.

surveyor

Original Poster:

17,818 posts

184 months

Monday 28th April 2014
quotequote all
Jasandjules said:
Rehome the dog?
Without playing favourites - I prefer the dog!


kartman24

458 posts

251 months

Monday 28th April 2014
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I agree rehome the dog.............

Killer2005

19,639 posts

228 months

Monday 28th April 2014
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I'll ask my parents, they've been contemplating another cat and a 7yr old female would be a good fit.

How is she with other cats?

ali_kat

31,989 posts

221 months

Tuesday 29th April 2014
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surveyor said:
Jasandjules said:
Rehome the dog?
Without playing favourites - I prefer the dog!
Then teach the dog to leave the cat alone!

This is your problem, your responsibility & you can (and should have!) taught the dog to leave the cat alone in the 18months you've had the dog.

A pet is for life, not until some new pet comes along & you prefer it.

surveyor

Original Poster:

17,818 posts

184 months

Tuesday 29th April 2014
quotequote all
Killer2005 said:
I'll ask my parents, they've been contemplating another cat and a 7yr old female would be a good fit.

How is she with other cats?
Absolutely fine. Has lived with another cat with no issues all her life.

singlecoil

33,597 posts

246 months

Tuesday 29th April 2014
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ali_kat said:
surveyor said:
Jasandjules said:
Rehome the dog?
Without playing favourites - I prefer the dog!
Then teach the dog to leave the cat alone!

This is your problem, your responsibility & you can (and should have!) taught the dog to leave the cat alone in the 18months you've had the dog.

A pet is for life, not until some new pet comes along & you prefer it.
I wouldn't have put it as strongly as that, but teaching pretty much any dog to behave itself is generally fairly easy if one keeps at it and uses the correct techniques.

LordHaveMurci

12,042 posts

169 months

Tuesday 29th April 2014
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We had a similar issue not long ago, we had rehomed a cat from the CPL, she was fine with our two dogs even though the Westie is a bit 'hands on'!

We ended up rehoming a kitten, again from CPL, they said there would be no problems with incumbent cat but they were wrong.

After months of anguish & rarely seeing the older cat we got a phone call from an office nearby, they had scanned our cat to get our number, she was basically living in their office & they were feeding her. We made the tough decision (but the right one for her) to let one of the chaps there take her home as he & his wife had recently lost their cat. We did a home visit & it was really good to see her relaxed & happy again, definitely the right decision.

surveyor

Original Poster:

17,818 posts

184 months

Tuesday 29th April 2014
quotequote all
ali_kat said:
surveyor said:
Jasandjules said:
Rehome the dog?
Without playing favourites - I prefer the dog!
Then teach the dog to leave the cat alone!

This is your problem, your responsibility & you can (and should have!) taught the dog to leave the cat alone in the 18months you've had the dog.

A pet is for life, not until some new pet comes along & you prefer it.
Long post typed and deleted. This is in the cat's best interest. Thanks for your advice.

PS

Let's add a bit - the dog is quite well trained, but at one time was a puppy. He now rarely see's Chutney, but the damage seems to have been done. We hoped that time would cure her nervousness, but it's not worked out.



Edited by surveyor on Tuesday 29th April 14:50

ali_kat

31,989 posts

221 months

Tuesday 29th April 2014
quotequote all
singlecoil said:
I wouldn't have put it as strongly as that, but teaching pretty much any dog to behave itself is generally fairly easy if one keeps at it and uses the correct techniques.
yes It didn't read as strongly to me when I typed it, I'm still quite emotional as my Brother is re-homing Mum's cat as he doesn't get on with their dog (Bro is Dad's carer).

Surveyor, I'm sorry for my abruptness! I love both cats & dogs, have owned both without a modicum of sense on how to introduce them sensibly (but that was over 25 years ago!)

surveyor said:
Long post typed and deleted. This is in the cat's best interest. Thanks for your advice.

PS

Let's add a bit - the dog is quite well trained, but at one time was a puppy. He now rarely see's Chutney, but the damage seems to have been done. We hoped that time would cure her nervousness, but it's not worked out.
I'm sure I deserved it wink

You are acting in the cat's best interests, better to re-home than poor Chutney suffer, as I said above, it just hit a nerve and I'm sorry frown

surveyor

Original Poster:

17,818 posts

184 months

Monday 15th September 2014
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We still have Chutney. Her solution is to be an outside cat.

I'm not sure that this is a viable answer through Winter, nor to be completely honest do I particularly want to carry on feeding all the local cats who have realised that there's a food bowl outside.....

Not sure that we have any options otherwise.

singlecoil

33,597 posts

246 months

Monday 15th September 2014
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surveyor said:
Not sure that we have any options otherwise.
You have the options you choose to have.