Would getting a dog be fair on my other pets?

Currently we own 2 rabbits, 4 guinea pigs and 2 cats. The dog would be supervised in the garden, ie when around the rabbits/ guinea pigs, and would be kept seperate from the cats at night. Also I would get a pretty relaxed dog that has lived with cats before.Would getting a dog be fair on my other pets?Dogs are the most tolerant of animals. Both of my dogs love cats, though one would dearly love to have a word with "Mr. Squirrel". If you get a young dog and train him, he -- and the other animals -- should do fine.Would getting a dog be fair on my other pets?
i think it would be fairWould getting a dog be fair on my other pets?Get an OLD sweet dog.

From the pound too.

The old ones no one wants =(Would getting a dog be fair on my other pets?
you need 2 give yer attention to all of them equallyWould getting a dog be fair on my other pets?i think it depends on the dog you get, unfortunatley i think it will be a trial and error situation.
If they all get along, it's fine. However, it sounds like you have your hands pretty full with other animals right now. Think long and hard about it before you get one.



My cats and dogs were never separated - they were great playmates and slept together.Would getting a dog be fair on my other pets?
dogs do like attention, soo as long as you still pay attention to your other animals, and love them all the same, it would be like adding a new friend. :)
no it's not fair. Why do you need so many animals?Would getting a dog be fair on my other pets?
Your bunnies must love living in the garden! That's so cool.

My sister has a bunny and he loves my beagle. He'll go up to my dog and nudge him to try to get attention.



Anyway, it sounds like you're being pretty responsible about it and not just getting any random dog. I think your other pets will be fine, and they might end up liking the dog, esp if the dog has lived with cats.
its not bad as long as you divide your attention to them. animals are emotional you know. and make sure to make it comfortable with your cat.. we have 13 dogs, a bird and 2 cats.. when we got a new dog we separated it for a few days and introduced it to the others.. they smelled it. and when they seem to dislike it, i pick it up and try again the next day.. i tell you the others will get used to it somehow..
I have a lot of pets and we got a calm border collie. she's a smart dog and doesn't mess with the other animals. you just have to make sure that when you have a lot of pets that you pay attention to them all, if you don't they tend to get in trouble.
I would say if you want to do it.

Slowly introduce the animals to one another. With the cats I would say keep the dog and cats away from each other by the way of a door. The good thing with that is the animals can both be able to see one another but no be able to physically harm one another. With the rabbits and guinea pigs it would be best to just keep a dog away from them since in the past dogs were trained to hunt those types of animals.
you should get a puppy. I have an english bulldog that we brought home as a puppy and our 4 cats had to get use to her and there weren't any problems, if you bring in an older dog then you will have problems.
As long as you exercise your authority and continue to show your love to them, your other pets and your new dog will learn to live with each other and behave with discipline.



Yes, it will be fair and more fun to all of them.
should be fine.
get a shelter dog, save a life, get a smaller dog.they usually get along with all the other critters. We had gerbils,rabbit,dogs and cats,If a gerbil escaped, it usually ended in tragedy, cat got one, dog got another,but you cannot blame them for following their instincts. Guinea pigs can pretty much hold their own tho, if animals are socialized for awhile.
What is the situation for the dog? Are you thinking of accepting this dog because s/he is in a bleak situation?



If you just want a dog to have a dog, I'd say hold off for a few years. After your other pets pass on.



Now, if the dog needs to be rescued and you feel like he wouldn't eat your other animals and it wouldn't drive your animals crazy, then why not?



Just make sure your other animals have a safe place to sleep where no other animal will harass them.
i would suggest getting a golden or a great Dane they are really gentle dogs also i have a rabbit but i had a golden[molly] first and when i brought the rabbit home she was more curios then anything lol she gave me looks like "what the heck is this thing" but she doesn't even care anymore i can have the rabbit hopping around and she will be sleeping on the floor. in fact they are doing this right now!



so ya

if you want to get a dog stay away from the terriers and tiny dogs like chihuahuas [they tend to think their big bad tough dogs and will go after your pets]



go for dogs such as goldens,labs,great Danes, any dogs that have a good reputation for being gentle.
I had 3 dogs and 3 cats when I got King a german shepard black lab puppy back in Sept. So O dont see why you couldnt get a dog if you wanted one.
I think it is a great idea - its someone to cuddle up too lol !

i have a german shepherd and used to have a rabbit and guinea pig - sadly both passed away :( the dog was fine around them but was still supervised at all times . you could go to the shelter and the people should help you pick a perfect dog or you could get a calm puppy and train it from being young this way it could learn to be around your other pets . hope i help ! good luck .
i have 2 guinea pigs , got the dog later no problems, even sleep in the same room when we go out, guinea pigs in cage on floor....
I think the dog would be fine with the other animals depending on what dog you get. i would consider and old sweet dog!

Hope this helps.....
If done right, you can actually get your dog to be friends with all your other pets! My cat and my dog were best friends!

A dog training video I once had said that the dog must be kept in one particular room while it's very young and the other pets go wherever they're usually allowed to go. I guess the cat is the only one who roams the house so i'll use that as an example.

Keep the room the dog will be in closed for a week before you get the dog so the cat gets used to not going there, then when you have the dog keep the cat out of that room for another 1 or 2 weeks. After that time put the dog in it's cage and bring the cat in and allow it to observe from up on a high place, over time bring the cat onto the floor with you and make a fuss over the cat. Let the dog know that the cat has priority over the dog otherwise there will be territory and jellousy problems. After a while put the cat on the high space and let the dog roam free in the room. If the cat wants to get down then it will but it probably won't! A few days after repeting this, then you let the dog roam around the house, the cat will ajust eventually!



Remember to give your cat the same amount of attention as you usually would!
The BEST way to get a dog and bring it into the family would be as a puppy. I have had several dogs with my cats and as long as the dog grows up with the cats they will be safe. If the dog has already grown up and doesn't like cats, it's understandable. I don't think bringing a dog home would hurt any feeling amongst the animals. Just be careful what kind you bring home that's all. I have a Great Pyrenees that I brought home (as a puppy) to 3 tabby cats, 2 snakes and a rabbit. And all is well. They are big dogs YES but he understands he is sharing his home. Good luck!
i disagree with a jack russell idea because my friend has a jack russell they are very hyperadn they love chasing cats maybe find an old dog thats not too big maybe the size of a beagle they are very tolerant i have two and they don't even mind it when my cats jumps on them



its just the rabbit part because beagles are rabbit dogs :[ otherwise a beagle would be perfect for you
As long as you get a dog who is a young puppy and stay away from Terrier and Hound %26amp; other breeds with a high prey drive, your other animals should be fine. Decide on a short list of breeds and find some reputable breeders who will tell you whether a puppy would fit into your life style or not - not just a breeder who wants to sell their puppies at all costs!
I think you'll be fine. The dog will be completely harmless to the rabbits and guinea pigs. I'm not saying the cats might be totally easy but any cat and dog can live together when they get used to each other. Good luck
I have a friends who rescued a Foxhound and already had a cat. The cat and Pluto now share a bed and even go to the vet together. Get the right mix and it can work very well.
You shouldn't get a big dog but a jack russel would be great.
no one cares