This question has been on my mind for days now, and I want to make sure that my husband and I are making the right decision for our kitten Lusa. Please, if anyone has some advice or experience to share with me, I'd be very grateful.
Here is our situation: I found Lusa last week on the side of the road. She's about 5 weeks old now and is recovering from a URI, fleas, and worms. She's very affectionate and playful. I've wanted a cat for years, but my elderly dog, Stockey, was not socialized with cats (he's a rescue). He's been obedience trained, listens well, wants to please, but has a strong prey drive. There's a chance he won't accept her and will try to chase her. We haven't allowed them to meet yet because she's so small and is still under the weather. We've come up with a Plan A and B that hopefully are acceptable.
Plan A: We have an upstairs bedroom (converted from our attic) that is spacious and being used for storage. We thought we'd let Lusa live there, and continue to let the dog live downstairs. If she and the dog get along, then we can all hang out together downstairs in the evening for 4 or 5 hours.
Plan B: If they can't co-exist, Lusa will need to live upstairs until Stockey passes away. I'm worried that she'll feel socially isolated up there and unhappy if I can only play and visit with her upstairs a couple of hours a day. My knowledge of the emotional needs of cats isn't good. Lusa seems to be a social kitten and I don't want her to be lonely. Will her need to socialize decrease as an adult? Could she be happy in this situation if I provide her with plenty of toys, a cat tree, scratching post, etc., plus some social time with me in the evening?
Thanks for listening. She means a lot to me and I've become very attached to her in a short time. I want this to work.
Here is our situation: I found Lusa last week on the side of the road. She's about 5 weeks old now and is recovering from a URI, fleas, and worms. She's very affectionate and playful. I've wanted a cat for years, but my elderly dog, Stockey, was not socialized with cats (he's a rescue). He's been obedience trained, listens well, wants to please, but has a strong prey drive. There's a chance he won't accept her and will try to chase her. We haven't allowed them to meet yet because she's so small and is still under the weather. We've come up with a Plan A and B that hopefully are acceptable.
Plan A: We have an upstairs bedroom (converted from our attic) that is spacious and being used for storage. We thought we'd let Lusa live there, and continue to let the dog live downstairs. If she and the dog get along, then we can all hang out together downstairs in the evening for 4 or 5 hours.
Plan B: If they can't co-exist, Lusa will need to live upstairs until Stockey passes away. I'm worried that she'll feel socially isolated up there and unhappy if I can only play and visit with her upstairs a couple of hours a day. My knowledge of the emotional needs of cats isn't good. Lusa seems to be a social kitten and I don't want her to be lonely. Will her need to socialize decrease as an adult? Could she be happy in this situation if I provide her with plenty of toys, a cat tree, scratching post, etc., plus some social time with me in the evening?
Thanks for listening. She means a lot to me and I've become very attached to her in a short time. I want this to work.