I am thinking of getting a puppy lab (12 weeks old)
The major question is whether it will get on with my cats?
Does anyone know if it will?
Thanks

No body knows - it would be helpful if it's been raised with cats/kittens - but dogs tend to assiociate with 'their' cats and don't always transfer this to the cats of a new household........  Also 12 weeks is a dodgy age for puppies - they start to go through a phase where 'normal' things can be very scarey too them, and incorrect handling (comfort and reassurance or pushing them to face the fear) can leave them with a fear for life - please be aware of this.....

The puppy is coming from a well kept farm - would this help?

The puppy wouldnt get left alone with the kitten and cats only at night also

Hi Katy

Our cat has lived with two older dogs, who have since passed away, and has also seen our current two come to join us as puppies and we haven't had any problems.  On both occasions that a puppy entered his home, the cat actually sorted them out himself and laid down the limits as to what he would put up with.  They and the cat get on famously, mutual grooming sessions etc.  The older dog and the cat also have this thing going where cat lets the older dog gently suck his head, but cat has never allowed younger dog this honour :)  However, cat used to sleep with the youngster in his crate!

The important thing will be to supervise them at all times that they are together until they sort out their responses to each other and to make sure that the felines always have an escape route from the attentions of the pup.  Try to make sure that the puppy isn't forever pestering the cats and hopefully before long they will all be co-existing happily.  Our dogs sleep with us at night, and the cat is downstairs, but we can go out and leave them all together without any worries.

However, your cats aren't my cat :) so the responses of yours may be quite different to mine.  Wait and see what happens, and if anything in particular is worrying you, come back on and I'm sure someone will be able to give you advice :)

Hope this helps!

Lesley

Sorry, me again, but it wouldn't let me edit, cos of the time limit :D

Katy, I misread your initial post and thought that you had definitely decided to get a pup, but now see you are only considering it!  However, maybe my ramblings might (or might not!) help you in coming to a decision.  But it is very true to say that no-one can say for sure whether they will get on, so you'll have to weigh up all the considerations before you decide :)

Lesley

Lesley,
Thanks you help was fantastic!
We are probably going to get the dog now! Hopefully the cats will get on together, so Thanks again!

That's great Katie!  Let us know if you get the puppy and how you're getting on with it :)

Lesley

Yep it should do. its easyier for a puppy to get on with cats then a cat get on with adult dog. ive had several pups and ive got two male cats. they soon learn whos boss . cats nose might be put out of joint for a while. jelousey with the pup but it should be fine:)

We found some golden/yellow labradors which will be born on 12th December!

I'm a bit worried that they are being described as 'golden/yellow' labs - labs are yellow - a responsible breeder would know that and describe them as such - have all the necessary health checks been done on both parents and are the results acceptable - hip displacia is a HUGE problem for labs and you really do not want a puppy whose health is going to deteriorate as he gets older (and with poor hips scoring parents the likely hood is that he will have a problem) as it will mean a) large vets bills and b) lots of heartache for your family.  Please think carefully about this one.......

I have two cats our dog came after we have found they hate each other the cats wont be in the same room as the dog and the dog from day one has barked and growled at then nothing seems to change it we have tried all the things we were recomended, so sometimes they just dont get on and there is nothing you can do.

Hi
I had a cat, 7 years old, and in june i got myself a choc lab. My cat seemed scared, but a bout a month ago, I got a kitten, and the dog and the kitten play together now. And whats even better, the old cat has started to come down instead of spending all his time on my topcabinets in the kitchen

As you can see, I have had my dog for about 6 months, so it can take time!

Good luck!

Jeanette and Luna

Thanks everyone!
Bellaluna, does at any time your lab get a bit rough with the kitten?

Hi Katie

Yes sometimes, but the kitten, Oskar, is just as bad with her. Most of the time, she is really careful with him, and watches out for his claws.
My friend, Kamille, has a German Shepherd puppy Bella, 5½ months, she also have 2 cats, an adult and a kitten, her dog takes the cat's head in her mouth, she doesn't harm them, but it looks pretty rough. But the cats doesn't seem to mind, because if they wanted, they could do a lot of harm to the dogs eyes and nose with their claws.

I would keep an eye on them in the beginning, and make sure, the kittens okay. But I don't think you have anything to worry about.

The first week, after getting the kitten, I regretted it, because he was constantly hissing and growling at Luna, if she came to close, but now he plays with her tail, and bites her legs, not hard, because she only looks at him.

The easiest is to have a kitten and a puppy, then they will grow together. And remeber, if the kitten don't like it, it will aalways be able to get away from the dog, by jumping up on a table or something, where the dog can't reach it.

Let me know how it goes.

Jeanette, Oskar, Oliver and Luna

Thanks Jeanette!
I am hoping that they dont get rough but as you said - the kitten and cats could just jump or run away!

My cats are 8 years old now, and I brought a puppy in earlier this year.  I wouldn't say they are best of friends, but they put up with each other.  I have had to make a few adjustments for the cats - They now eat their food on a window sill as Dylan (the dog) has taken quite a fancy to cat food, so I have to keep it out of reach.  And also, the cats now curl up on top of a shelf unit, where they can get some peace and quiet away from him.  Also, as I don't have a cat flap, I have to leave a small window open all the time, so they have an escape route should they need it.  On the whole, they do OK together, but I have to keep an eye on Dylan, as he can be a mischevious little b*gger when he wants to be ;)  It takes time - I am just getting to the stage where I might find the cat curled up on one end of the sofa, and the dog at the other end :)  Good luck - it can be done!

Thanks!
Do the cats hiss or growl at any time to the puppy?

Oh yes! Both hissing and growling, but not all the time - just when Dylan decides it might be nice to play with them :)

Thanks everyone,
We are probably going to go along with it!

Hi Katie

I was just wondering, did you get a puppy?

And if you did, how are things going?

Jeanette and Luna