In need of some advice!

Hello my name is Erin and I am in need of some advice. Me and my husband have two medium sized dogs and a cat. We decided to adopt a cat from a shelter, neither one of us have ever adopted an adult animal before. We went in planning on adopting a kitten but my husband fell in love with two adult cats, a 10 year old Siamese and a 11 year old Bengal that could not be separated. We didn't think we would have any problems with our current animals because they have been well socialized and they get along well with any animals. We didn't consider the adult cats wouldn't like our animals. They hate our dogs but don't mind our cat. We set up our spare bedroom with a litter box, toys, food, water, and cat beds with a baby gate in the doorway so the dogs can't get in but the cats can leave the room if they want. They never leave the room unless me or my husband go get them and hold them in our lap, as soon as we stop petting them the go back into the "cat room". My husband and I both love them but my husband is worried the stress might lead to a shorter life for the cats. I think the cats would be a lot happier if they were in a home with no other animals but The shelter we got them from euthanizes animals. Im worried if we bring them back they wont get adopted. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

I see these two arent semiferales, they were home cats where the owner perhaps died?

You fear they may feel stressed.  There is a fine trick:  A feliway diffuser (there is spray too) in their room. It should them feel more confident, more at home...

Soft calming music can work.  There are also spirit essences of different types, but myself, I think Feliway is the trick here, to start with.

Later on, when they feel better, you can make these scent swapping with your dogs so they hopefully will get pals with dogs too...

They will bond to you too with time. They do if the new owners are kind to them.

Tx a lot for helping them!

Continue with questions and reports!

*vibes!*

This such a noble thing you did taking these 2 adults in.

The fact that they are old is definitely a factor for them not socialising easily. Yet bare in mind they have been in a cage for a while so they probably need some time to adjust to the new huge space with new faces and scents!

I suggest you search a but on ways go do proper introduction between adult animals and give them time to adjust.

First impression matters for cats so you never know what their past experience is with dogs..

them not socialising too well should not be reason to send these poor dudes away; be patient they will find their ways around it.

They are not being violent or bothering the dogs or so right?

Good luck!!!

There is absolutely nothing wrong with your current set up. They are safe, they are in control and, believe it or not, they are probably happy. As older cats, they may never make a complete adjustment to the dogs, so it will not hurt to allow them to live their lives as is. Think about if they were people. Wouldn't you let them have their privacy? It's a similar situation.

Thank you so much for adopting them. They are in a much better place with you and I think given time, they will fit into your home.