I have a ten-year-old calico cat that I got when she was five. She was raised with dogs but hasn't seen one in five years.
Until yesterday.
The local Shiba rescue brought two by (one at a time). Pixel (the cat) hated #1 on sight - hissed and retreated to the bed in the bottom of her cat tower (dog #1 was EXTREMELY shy and stayed by the door the entire time).
For dog #2, Pixel got on top of the dresser and hissed, but eventually got on the bed (where, presumably, the dog could get to her, although the person who brought her and I were watching them) and complained a bit.
After the dogs were gone, she whined and cried (calico, they're vocal) and went under the bed. I went out to get dinner and when I came back a couple hours later, she was herself again. She very much hates change but has gotten better as she has gotten older.
I really fell in love with dog #2. The dog could care less about the cat, but I don't want to ruin the cat's life introducing a dog (this cat is my baby).
I live in a one bedroom apartment but can baby gate the place in such a way that the cat gets the bedroom (the bed is HERS) and the bathroom (her litter box is in the walk-in closet off the bath) and the dog gets the living room and kitchen. The dog would be crated while I'm at work and at bedtime, so Pixel could roam the house and check out her new roommate.
Thoughts? I'd like them to at least tolerate each other, but I am completely devoted to the cat, so I don't want to make her life miserable either. What are the chances this might work out? Any help is appreciated.
Until yesterday.
The local Shiba rescue brought two by (one at a time). Pixel (the cat) hated #1 on sight - hissed and retreated to the bed in the bottom of her cat tower (dog #1 was EXTREMELY shy and stayed by the door the entire time).
For dog #2, Pixel got on top of the dresser and hissed, but eventually got on the bed (where, presumably, the dog could get to her, although the person who brought her and I were watching them) and complained a bit.
After the dogs were gone, she whined and cried (calico, they're vocal) and went under the bed. I went out to get dinner and when I came back a couple hours later, she was herself again. She very much hates change but has gotten better as she has gotten older.
I really fell in love with dog #2. The dog could care less about the cat, but I don't want to ruin the cat's life introducing a dog (this cat is my baby).
I live in a one bedroom apartment but can baby gate the place in such a way that the cat gets the bedroom (the bed is HERS) and the bathroom (her litter box is in the walk-in closet off the bath) and the dog gets the living room and kitchen. The dog would be crated while I'm at work and at bedtime, so Pixel could roam the house and check out her new roommate.
Thoughts? I'd like them to at least tolerate each other, but I am completely devoted to the cat, so I don't want to make her life miserable either. What are the chances this might work out? Any help is appreciated.