New Here! No cat yet, looking this weekend

Hi there. I'm Ashley, new to the site from Florida. I'm going to go to my local shelter this weekend to take a look at adopting a cat. Specifically, I'm looking for an older cat, maybe a senior, just because I am not looking to go through the whole kitten stage. I'm hoping for a mellow, lounging, couch potato of a cat that I hope will want to sleep with me. I don't mind if its declawed or not (though I will not declaw it if it isn't). Any who.... does anyone have any tips on how to find these qualities in an adult cat at the pound? I know they will probably be very scared, being in the pound and all, and may not be their true selves. I'm hoping the shelter staff will know at least a little bit about them. 

My only other issue is I have two dogs, a year Great Dane and a 1.5 year old lab mix. Both are very gentle and cat tested (the lab was raised with a cat and the dane has never had an issue at the petsitter's house). If I am looking for a cat at the shelter, should I ONLY look for dog approved cats? or can an adult cat learn to adjust and live with two dogs. Like I said, they are both very gentle and obedient in listening to me. I've read up tons on how to properly introduce everyone, but do adult cats have the possibility to adjusting well (if they've never been dog tested before?)

I always like to get the best of the best, could anyone recommend some food brands that are highly recommended. I've read up on Blue Buffalo and Royal Canin? 

Thanks for any helpful responses

Welcome to TCS! 

How exciting!

If you go to a good shelter, the people there can often be really helpful finding the cat to suit you.

It's a good idea to find a cat that has had some dog experience.  Having said that, I think of the large dog breeds, you have two of the best suited to cats, just in my experience. 

Would you consider feeding canned food rather than dry?  We have oodles of information on feeding in our nutrition threads, and many really good articles - have a look here.

It's lovely to give an older cat a home, and they can make the most wonderful companions.  Keep us posted!

Hi and this sounds great! Seniors are loving cats often overlooked, possibly the most overlooked at shelters.

They may have some dog tested cats but more likely, ask then to dog test the cat you want to adopt.  Then discuss with them the best way to do a careful introduction and make sure that your cat has high places that he can get to so as to get away from the dog (and that the cat knows these places before you do the intro).  In other words, give the cat time in part of your home where he/she will learn how to get away from the dog before doing the intro. 

Detailed articles on cat-dog introductions here:

http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/virtual-pet-behaviorist/cat-behavior/introducing-your-cat-new-dog

http://www.americanhumane.org/animals/adoption-pet-care/dog-behavior/introducing-dogs-to-cats.html

As to food, the perfect food is the exact same food, wet and dry, that the cat is eating in the shelter.  I wouldn't even attempt to change this until the cat is adjusted to your home and has at least started the intro process with the dogs and its at a stage where things are going well.  Only then would i start a slow (week long) shift to new foods, but bare in mind, it doesn't matter how high the quality it is if the cat won't eat it.

Keep us updated!

Thanks for all the responses! Your all a great help.... I'll definitely be asking the shelter staff about their knowledge of the cat.

As far as the food, I would prefer to feed wet. I've heard it decreases the chances of kidney problems? And I thought with getting an older cat, that's probably even more important now. I'll definitely ask what the shelter is feeding, stick with that for a bit, thanks for that advice.

Thank you for planning on adopting an older cat.  A lot of times those cats have been brought in when something happens to their owner (dies, goes to nursing home).  Best of luck on your kitty search!

Depending on the shelter, some will actually encourage you to bring your dogs (you can call in advance and ask) -- I know my local shelter back home requests that every single family member, other cats and dogs included, come down and visit the animal you're interested in, and this happens away from the cat's cage (or cat room) and away from the cat/dog's house so it's relatively neutral for all of them. Obviously the behaviour will differ when they get back home, but it can be a good way to test with your dogs.

I think I would prefer to err on the side of safety with dog-tested cats. Especially since you're aiming for an older pet, unless they were a surrender with honest owners, it's hard to tell what cats will adapt to dogs and what cats won't. For all we know, the cats could have been terrorized by dogs in their past homes or on the streets. The last thing anyone would want to do is trigger that stressor for a new cat!

Good luck!