Hello, I’m looking for some advice and reassurance if I’m doing the right thing. I adopted a dog (this is his second day with us), a 6-year-old mutt mix from the pound. We have 4 cats at home currently. We live in a large 2-story house and put a baby gate at the base of the stairs with a scat mat by the gate so he won’t push on it. He has free range of the downstairs while all the cats are upstairs with food, water, and a litterbox. The dog has never been up there, so we thought it would be their safe space. Last night, we locked the cats in our room for added safety, but around 4 am, they wanted to get out. The dog has had no issues with people or accidents in the house. One of my cats, Pumper, came down beyond the baby gate to see the dog three times now; each time, the dog was sleeping. She just stares at him and then leaves. Once, the dog woke up and barked with a wagging tail and whining at her, and I held him back while she ran back upstairs. We got home today after being out with the dog, and when we made noise, Pumper decided to venture down again. The dog chased her and definitely got his mouth on her leg. There were no punctures, just slobber, but I was able to pin him down so she could run. She ended up splitting or breaking a nail in her attempt to escape and has been hiding on the top shelf of our closet since. The dog is currently in a kennel for the rest of the day. I’m unsure if we should keep him a few more days or if it’s better to return him to avoid stressing the cats further or having another incident. Now that he is kenneled, a few cats have passed by him, and he gets worked up, barking and whining. I put a blanket over the front of the crate to calm him when the cats pass by. I just want to make sure I’m not an asshole for thinking about returning him to the shelter tomorrow. They wouldn’t let us do a trial run or a foster-to-adopt, and we thought a low-energy older dog would let us have both animals safely. They are closed today, so I’m debating my options. I really thought we could manage a dog and do a slow introduction, but my cat keeps coming down.
It sounds like you’re in a tough spot. It’s totally understandable to feel overwhelmed. Maybe returning him is the best option if it’s causing stress for the cats.
I get where you’re coming from. It’s a hard decision, but the safety of your cats is super important. Have you thought about giving it just a bit more time?
Aubrey said:
I get where you’re coming from. It’s a hard decision, but the safety of your cats is super important. Have you thought about giving it just a bit more time?
I have thought about that, but I worry about the stress levels for everyone. It’s just so chaotic right now.
I think you should trust your instincts. If it feels wrong, it’s okay to return him. It’s better for both animals to have a peaceful home.
How are the other cats reacting to the dog? If they’re all stressed, that might be a sign to reconsider things.
Kellan said:
How are the other cats reacting to the dog? If they’re all stressed, that might be a sign to reconsider things.
The other cats seem a bit on edge, especially after what happened with Pumper. I just want them to feel safe.
It’s okay to feel bad about returning him, but remember that it’s about what’s best for all your pets. You need a harmonious home.
Leo said:
It’s okay to feel bad about returning him, but remember that it’s about what’s best for all your pets. You need a harmonious home.
Thanks, I appreciate that. Just trying to weigh all my options and do right by everyone.