11/04/2025
We let our rescue cats run through our home with our very lazy beagle & obnoxious bulldog. They learn that dogs can bring chaos. Ours like to play wildly with their toys. However, the dogs are never permitted to chase or be aggressive towards kitties. We provide areas where the cats can lounge if they don't like the noise or activity. Every afternoon, we find the dogs & kitties snuggled up for their naps. Seeing cats & dogs live harmoniously together is precious! ❤️
🐾 Let’s Talk About “Dog-Free Homes” for Cats 🐾
As someone who has fostered countless cats over the years, I’ve seen a common trend that really needs a little rethinking: the automatic assumption that a cat “needs a dog-free home.” Too often, this blanket statement isn’t based on the individual animals at all- it just becomes a default. And that assumption? It can really hurt both cats and dogs.
The truth is: it’s not the existence of a dog that matters- it’s the type of dog and the dynamics between the animals. Some cats truly prefer a home without dogs, sure. But many cats can do wonderfully with patient, cat-friendly dogs.
Take this photo for example: my foster dog, Tad, and a kitten named Pete. Before rescue, Pete had a rough history with dogs- he’d been chased and even pinned down. When he first met Tad, he puffed up, hissed, and was ready to go to battle. But Tad? He’s calm, kind, quiet, and patient with new cats. He respects them entirely. With time, Pete learned that dogs like Tad aren’t scary at all. Now, he’s confident, relaxed, and ready to thrive in a home with dogs.
This is why it’s so important to rethink how we label cats. Instead of saying “no dogs,” consider: “would be okay in a home with cat-friendly dogs.” A small shift in wording can open doors to homes these cats might never have had otherwise.
Roadblocks to cat adoptions are already plenty- let’s not add unnecessary ones because of assumptions. It would be a shame to deny a pair like Tad and Pete the chance to become friends simply because humans decided one was “too much” and the other “too scared.”
Adoption is about matching personalities, not following blanket rules. Let’s give these animals the chance they deserve. 🐶❤️🐱
