So....
I am thinking about getting a cat. Just thinking.
I live on 7 acres surrounded by wild land, and I get a lot of rodent visitors.
I have four dogs, and they do hunt, but they would frankly rather sleep. Not counting the wiener dog, of course, who is a ferocious killer.
I would like your thoughts.
Heres the situation:
My dogs used to live with two others for a total of 6. They have in the past formed a pack and taken down a goat, and several cats who came into my old yard (one acre). And some ducks who flew in, and a chicken. The goat was fine. The rest, not so much
I had cats at that time, over the years, but the dogs ran them off. They were indoor/outdoor cats, and eventually they just wandered off. I never found them dead but they did get chased. One moved across the street and the other went to live around the corner. I continued to buy their food and get their shots done.
So....fast forward to now.
The dogs are older, and I have been working with them with my chickens. I have four roosters and two hens who made a break from their pen and got into the yard a few weeks ago, and I was right there when the roosters flew into the yard.
My shepherd Gypsy was ready to take them out, but I called her off sharply, and the rest as well. I got them all on their dog beds, and they didnt budge. I was out with them all for a few hours. Even the wiener dog has learned that the chickens are off limits.
Now, several weeks later, the chickens can come and go as they please, and when they get near the house, the dogs either stay where they are or move to another spot. I have left them all alone during the day, and the chickens are fine.
I am not a fan of the chickens being so close to the house but thats another story.
Anyway, given all of that, do you think that because the dogs have gotten older and less prone to chasing, that it might be safe to get a cat again? I would probably get a kitten that is older, several months.
I need a mouser, I cant use poison because of the owls and hawks, and I know there are lots of kitties that need homes, too.
what do you think?
I am thinking about getting a cat. Just thinking.
I live on 7 acres surrounded by wild land, and I get a lot of rodent visitors.
I have four dogs, and they do hunt, but they would frankly rather sleep. Not counting the wiener dog, of course, who is a ferocious killer.
I would like your thoughts.
Heres the situation:
My dogs used to live with two others for a total of 6. They have in the past formed a pack and taken down a goat, and several cats who came into my old yard (one acre). And some ducks who flew in, and a chicken. The goat was fine. The rest, not so much
I had cats at that time, over the years, but the dogs ran them off. They were indoor/outdoor cats, and eventually they just wandered off. I never found them dead but they did get chased. One moved across the street and the other went to live around the corner. I continued to buy their food and get their shots done.
So....fast forward to now.
The dogs are older, and I have been working with them with my chickens. I have four roosters and two hens who made a break from their pen and got into the yard a few weeks ago, and I was right there when the roosters flew into the yard.
My shepherd Gypsy was ready to take them out, but I called her off sharply, and the rest as well. I got them all on their dog beds, and they didnt budge. I was out with them all for a few hours. Even the wiener dog has learned that the chickens are off limits.
Now, several weeks later, the chickens can come and go as they please, and when they get near the house, the dogs either stay where they are or move to another spot. I have left them all alone during the day, and the chickens are fine.
I am not a fan of the chickens being so close to the house but thats another story.
Anyway, given all of that, do you think that because the dogs have gotten older and less prone to chasing, that it might be safe to get a cat again? I would probably get a kitten that is older, several months.
I need a mouser, I cant use poison because of the owls and hawks, and I know there are lots of kitties that need homes, too.
what do you think?