Question...declawed cats in the house with dogs

[Tina B and crew]

I may have a potential interest in adopting Wicket...don't know yet because I haven't heard from the person but a friend did leave a message with the potential adopter that I had a cat needing a home. This person as 3 chihuahuas and did have a cat before (the cat died of illness/old age..it was 15). I'm sure the chihuahuas are use to a cat, but Wicket is not use to dogs. My concern is putting her into a home with not just one dog, but three dogs and no other cats. I want to find her a home but I'm not settling with just anything. I trust my friends judgement that it will be a good home and Wicket would be well taken care of (if the person even wants to adopt)...but the dogs make me a bit reserved.

Anyway, I called a friend who also has three chihuahuas and asked her opinion and she said she didn't see a problem...she'd be more worried about putting a chihuauhua in a home with three cats She has a cat and three chihuahuas but her dogs are never left alone with the cats, they are always seperated when she leaves the house, there for the dogs aren't given any opportunity to mess with the cat.

I guess part of me just doesn't want to give Wicket up...but I have to, Gizmo is really becoming intolerant lately and I know it's because of cat overload (he gets this way everytime we have fosters for too long).

Should I have concern about a declawed at in a home with three dogs, even if they are small dogs?

[Traci]

That's a tough one, Tina. My advice is to speak to the potential adopter rather than your friend, find out whatever you can about her dogs, their temperaments, and how they got along with the cat. Since Wicket is accustomed to cats only, it would seem more appropriate to place her in a home with no dogs, but you know her best.

My experiences with chi's have so far been good, but then I don't live with them, so I can't say how the breed tends to adapt to other dogs or cats. For that reason, again, talk to the potential owner and find as much as you can about her dogs' temperaments, also about the owner herself, will she seperate them when alone...does she have time and a schedule to allow for proper introductions, let alone Wicket's safety with three dogs (have they ever had a 'pack' mentality? I wouldn't put a cat in that type of environment)...JMO.

[Tina B and crew]

Traci...I am definitley going to talk to her first...and if she is even interested, will have her come here and interact with Wicket...and then take Wicket there and see how she reacts there around the dogs...I will use my descretion at allowing her to go permantly...oh how I wish I could find a real "cat person" to take her. I think she is going to need to be in a home with a cat person because of her spirited behavior...but then again maybe I'm being too picky because I have had her so long

[Tina B and crew]

Well...it's a moot point anyway...she isn't interested right now, has her hands full with the three dogs