Should I let my brother bring his dog?

Not sure where to post this but this seemed like the best forum.

My sister-in-law left a message for me to call her about coming to my place this weekend...haven't gotten ahold of her but I suspect she might be calling about bringing their golden lab along. She had asked before and I told her I preferred they didn't, because I figure my one year old kitties (who have never seen a dog before) would be terrified. I did tell her if she absolutely couldn't find someone to watch the dog they could bring her but would have to keep her in the basement (finished, with a bedroom and large family room).

Do you think it's a really bad idea to let the dog come at all? I don't want my kitties to have a heart attack!

I know Harley would freak out if he was around a big lab!

Like you said - if the dog is in the basement and would not be around the kittens, I don't think it would be so bad - BUT... I would only be worried if somehow the kittens or the dog would get near eachother and something would happen. But then again its not too fair to confine a big dog like that to a basement, you know? Is it normally an outside dog, or an inside one?

If it were me, I'd suggest to your brother to have someone watch her dog while she is visiting you. Its only fair - its your home, and you don't want to upset your kittens in their home environment!

Good luck in your decision! Hopefully your brother will understand and agree with anything you decide!

I agree. Even though my cats have seen a dog before and we have a dog, they are terrified of other dog's. If you could keep them totally seperated the whole time and not let your cat see him it could work, but your cat will still know that there was a dog there. Just be careful whatever you decide....I learned the hard way not to trust dogs around cats.....

The dog is an inside dog but of course loves to play outside. She told me someone she knew was going to watch the dog while they were gone so that might not be what she wants to talk to me about, but I'm not sure.

Of course, my family thinks I should be able to just lock the kitties in a room while people are there. I told them it's their house, I'm not locking them up! They wouldn't enjoy it any more than the dog would!

My SIL's brother lives closeby so if nothing else maybe he can keep her until they leave town (they'll only be here for two days anyway).

I guess it depends on how long they plan on staying.... For instance, when I have a party, I always put my cats, their food and water and litterbox in my bedroom. To keep them safe and seperated. (they hide anyway when alot of people are over). You never know when someone will accidentally leave a door open or not shut it all the way. When everyone is gone, I let them out. If your guest will be staying for the weekend then that would be hard to lock them up for so long....maybe that is not what she wants to tell you at all....since she already knows you prefer it if the dog didnt come....

sorry, i just re-read your post. it says they are coming for 2 days...your cats would probably not like being locked up for 2 days....I know I couldnt do it.....hopefully you are just worrying for nothing and they dont want to bring the dog......

If the dog is good with cats, I don't see what the big deal is. As long as the dog isn't a cat killer, and listens, yeah it's going to be culture shock for your cats, but they should get over it. Figure it's a new life expirience. If anything I would just make them bring a dog crate, so that at night the dog can be locked up [just to make sure the cats and dogs don't have a problem while you're asleep or away]

I don't see that much of a problem with a dog & the cats. Labs are generally pretty laid back. Our lab walks up to a cat, gets hissed at or swatted & then leaves that cat alone. Labs are quick learners, I would think this one would figure out fast that the cats can & will fight back. After all, the dog is in the cat's house!

Originally Posted by Plebayo

If the dog is good with cats, I don't see what the big deal is. As long as the dog isn't a cat killer, and listens, yeah it's going to be culture shock for your cats, but they should get over it. Figure it's a new life expirience. If anything I would just make them bring a dog crate, so that at night the dog can be locked up [just to make sure the cats and dogs don't have a problem while you're asleep or away]

Click to expand...

Ditto that ... I have always had cat s and dogs together ... no problems cept for a pit who didnt understand kitty wasnt a toy( she was agressive just to rambcous) ...

I think your choices are reasonable. How well behaved is their dog? If he's a good dog, there should be no problems, but if the dog is hyper and "untrained" then no I would not want the dog in the house either.

But a compromise of keeping them separated is reasonable to me. Hope it works out.


BTW its only a "golden" lab if its crossed with a golden retriever. Otherwise, its a yellow lab