Bringing cat to live in house w/4 dogs.....fair or

stanton

Getting rid of our dog is NOT an option

I am most happy to hear this. None of this is problem and he shouldn't bear the burden of others' lives. I know you must help your sister and that is also valid. But she must understand that you have a family, which includes pets and it is upon her to adapt to your house. As my mother raised us, your house, your rules.

Wow, they sure have a lot of nerve even suggesting you get rid of your dog.

I was going to suggest the basement.  Cruiser chases the cats and they always retreat to the basement, the dogs will not go up and down stairs (I have no clue why), so the cats are safe down there.   The cats come upstairs usually when the dogs are outside or in their crates.  Make sure you clearly set the limit that your dog chases and the cat is their responsibility so THEY will have to keep an eye on their cat.  Chances are the cat will venture up, but will get chased and scared down into the basement where it will most likely stay.

Had the perfect solution....but they refused it.

A lady who works with b-i-law's Mom wants the cat, and will rehome it with just herself....single lady who lost her cat a few months ago.

Sister and her DH refused the offer, wanting to try this first....arghghgh!

I'm NOT going to be responsible for cat hair spread throughout my house!

 Can the woman who wants the cat just foster it instead?  Rehoming *is* a big deal to many people (like all of us i would guess) and i know I'd try a less than ideal situation if it meant I could keep my pet.

mudpuppy

Unless dogs are raised with cats from young puppyhood they seem to categorize them with squirrels and rabbits- little furry running bits of food.

Nah, not always true. Cherokee never saw a cat til she was almost a year old, and she's got a pretty strong prey drive. She kills possums whenever they dare come near our yard...eyes up rabbits like they're candy. If there were more squirrels around here, I'm sure she'd react the same.. And yet she lives with 4 cats with no real issues. She likes to try and herd them, police them if you will, but she won't hurt them...she's lived with several different sets of cats for 9 years now.

I have had dogs and cats for years but every match up is different.  My recent rescue dog, Lab mix, is never left unsupervised with the cat.  The cat has a safe room (walk-in closet) and can jump the baby gate to reach safety if necessary.  But I don't take chances as the cat could become trapped in a corner or in another room.  My dog is way too intense in her attitude toward the cat and I don't want to face what another poster recently went through.  Even if you tell your sister that it is her responsibility to keep the cat safe,  if YOUR dog kills HER cat then you are going to feel guilty and she will lay the blame at your doorstep. 

Your dog wagging his tail while trying to get the cat doesn't mean he has friendly intentions. It just means that he's very excited, possibly about chasing down the cat like prey. Not all dogs can be trusted with cats EVER. It's not one of those things where they'll eventually get along. Dogs with a strong prey drive will catch and kill cats when given the opportunity.

JackieG

 Even if you tell your sister that it is her responsibility to keep the cat safe,  if YOUR dog kills HER cat then you are going to feel guilty and she will lay the blame at your doorstep. 

 Exactly....which is why I don't want the cat here period.

I'm the one who picked this cat out for them over 6yrs ago, I adore this cat too, but I never thought she'd be coming here to live with me. I don't want to see her get hurt, but I can't keep every waking eye on her, I have ONLY 3 pets for a reason. I work full-time, have quite a property to keep up with, etc. I don't have time to make sure my dog doesn't see prey on her cat.

Not only that....I'm highly allergic to her cat.

stanton

Not only that....I'm highly allergic to her cat.

So what compromises have they offered based on the above statement?