Have a situation and need advice!!!!!

[Nurse_Jamie]

My sister's boyfriend is in the military and has to leave for Iraq on January 5th. They have a dog together - a pit bull. He's only a few months old and I have met him before. He's really a sweet dog and they keep him in the house. Well, the apartment that my sis lives in won't let her have pets. And since her boyfriend is leaving for Iraq, obviously he can't keep the dog anymore. My sisters lease on her apartment isn't up for 6 more months. She asked me to foster the little dog until her lease to her apartment is up. She says that he is really sweet and loves other animals (even cats) and he is good and house trained. I have no problem with taking him in for a few months, but I am worried about how this might affect my 6 month old cat. She's never been around another animal. I am not worried about the dog hurting her, because my sister took care of my mom's cat for a while and my mom's cat and the dog were in the same house together for a long time, and he never tried to hurt her. I just don't want it to stress my little kitten out or anything.

Have any of you ever brought a dog into your kitten's home? How did it work? Do you guys think this is a good idea? What should I do?

Thanks a bunch!!

[Traci]

Since you are already having so many problems with your own kitten, I wouldn't recommend bringing a dog into your home. This could add more stress to your environment and there is no way to predict how the dog and your kitten will interact. Not to mention you will have to re-train the dog in your home so he learns the rules, outdoor potty habits, etc. You would also have to spend considerable time and effort and supervision in teaching him not to chase or harm your kitten. Since he is only a few months old as you say, he will be rambunctious and won't understand that your kitten is off limits (playing roughly, biting, chasing, etc)

Never assume that just because this dog has 'gotten along well' with another cat, that it will be the same with your cat. Dogs can be easily provoked, and since your kitten is only 6 months old, I wouldn't dare to risk that.

Is your sister looking at other options for this dog? What has the boyfriend done to find a suitable arrangement for this dog? (assuming the dog is living with him?)