How can I add a cat to a family of five dogs?

auburn79: How can I add a cat to a family of five dogs?
We have five outside dogs, and want an inside/outside cat. Does anyone have suggestions on how to get a new cat used to five dogs? Should we get an adult cat or kitten? For any of you who have both cats and dogs, what is the cat to dog ratio and how did you make it work without the dogs killing the cat?

Answers and Views:

Answer by Michelle L
I have four dogs and a cat…and life is peaceful. None of the dogs bother the cat. I would say get a young cat verse an adult cat. Adult cats are stuck in their ways. But my cat is indoor only.

Answer by izziekittycutie929
for a person with 5dogs you cant get a cat. the dogs would most likely kill the cat or the cat will beat up the dogs.

Answer by K
I have 2 dogs and 2 cats. I had the cats first but even then they still aren’t very happy with the dogs coming around and messing with them. Cats are pretty independent and like to keep to themselves alot so you can rest assured your cat will probably naturally keep away from the dogs no matter how hard you try to make them friends. Introducing them you shouldn’t try to hold the cat (I’ve have done this and it’s very painful, lol) but instead hold the dogs and let the cat roam around and close IF it wants to. Don’t force anything just let time take it’s course and get them used to each other gradually.

Answer by Judy W
Get a kitten that was raised with dogs. Then introduce the kitten without letting it out of your hands. You will know right away without losing the kitten if your dogs will accept it. If it does go good never let the cat outside without you right next to it, until you feel that it is okay. You know your dogs an five dogs can be a pack. Pack behavior is different. I have cats and a dog. I thought that everything was cool and I let Sidle 8 weeks old out with her dad. She had been introduced to the dog before and he left her alone. But on this horrible day she went to his food and scratched him trying to run him off the dog food. It just took one bite . I was six feet away and her dad Varmint was four foot away and we were to late. She died almost instantly. Varmint had the 120 pound dog cornered to the yard. I had to rescue the dog from the cat who was trying to kill him. It was the nature of the animal. She hurt him first and he was defending himself. I have been extremely careful since then and 50 cats and kittens later that has not ever happened again

Answer by Ellen V
just keep you’re cat inside. it will live longer, be healthier, and, no flees! but if u dont want to do that, the adopt a tiny kitten, and train it to grow up with dogs. some cats are scared of dogs, even if they are trained to be with them when they were young.