alek0

Excuse me, declawing is animal abuse and it should be outlawed (it is outlawed in most of Europe anyway).

Here are some links on declawing and why it should not be done:
http://www.sniksnak.com/cathealth/declaw.html
http://cats.about.com/gi/dynamic/off...declawing.html
http://cats.about.com/gi/dynamic/off..._declawing.htm

This website has some photos and descriptions of the procedure, very graphic.
http://declaw.lisaviolet.com/


As for original post, cats and dogs can get along just fine. Back home our German shephard got along great with our cats and we had very hard time to keep him from attempting to chase other cats when we took him out for a walk Once dog realizes cat is a member of the household it won't bother the cat, you may have a bit more problem with cat getting used to the dog.

DMB

I'm afraid it isn't. It's a matter of upbringing to a degree. If they are brought up from young in intimate contact with one or more cats, dogs will accept those cats as members of the household at least when indoors. Out of doors, some dogs will chase anything small, furry and fast running.

Dogs brought up without cats can be very dangerous to cats and I have known a number that were cat killers.

Most cats will be OK with dogs that they have grown up with, but there are a few who never get happy with particular dogs. See my post above for one cat who had a decided hatred for any dog that came his way.

When you think about it, it's quite remarkable that both species seem on the whole to enjoy living with human beings, never mind being able to be friends with one another.

RufusAtticus

My mother has a cat (techniquely its mine) that gets along with a dog nicely. Of course it helps that the cat is twice as big as the dog and is wont to ignore it.

Claudia

You should not have any long term problems (may be some minor adjustments?). Puppies and kittens can adapt to any tipe of youg animal of comparate size (rabbits, for example). But evend if they are friendly with their cat/dog/rabbit, it does not prevent them to have problems with other ones.

And I have seen my tiny siamese-like cat chase dogs which were spaniel size.

chanoc

Have fun with the new kitty! I am sure they get along fine together, kitty and puppy--how cute! Damn, I wish I could have a kitty in my apartment. I have a landlord that always has his dog around him, but says no to tenents having any pets.

Here is a jpg of my last kitty, his name is Gato. Gato always hung out in my room, yet he was not in my ownership. That's cats for you though, they make their own decissions-- free-thinking kitties!

DMB

Chanoc: Gato looks magnificent!

ex-xian

Well, I'm afraid that it didn't work out. My pup was just too excitable about the cat, and the cat wouldn't stand up for itself. Here're the details.

When Frodo, my puppy, first saw the kitten, he was very excited. He proceeded to sniff every inch of the cat. Since he was about 2-3 times the size of the cat (I think it was younger than the 2 months that I was told), his nose would knock it over. Eventually, he started literally pushing it around with his paws. Then he started to lick it...everywhere...head, butt, back. It was really cute b/c the cat was one of those black, fuzzy, halloween cats, so the hair got "styled" in the most interesting ways.

Unfortunately, Frodo proceeded to deflea, nip, and full fledge bite the kitten. I scolded him, threatened him, and seperated them, but it was no use. I kept hoping the cat would give him a couple of good swipes to teach him a lesson, but it just layed there and stared...with the occasional "meow" every now and again. When Frodo got tired and tried to nap the cat cuddled up next to him. But as soon as Frodo woke up, it was on again.

Finally, while trying to play with the cat, Frodo gave him a really nasty bite in the top of the head that left a red pinprick where his teeth was. I felt bad for the cat, so I decided to take it back to the vet to be given away.

The good news is the my wife's uncle will probably be getting the cat tomorrow. I think we'll wait until Frodo's "puppiness" is a little bit more gone, and then get another black cat (gotta have black to freak out all the superstitious neighbors) that's a little bit older.

Thanks to everyone for the advice, now maybe you can help me with this.