I live in a medium sized 1 bedroom with my two cats, who I love dearly, however I really want a dog. People who have had cats and later adopted a dog, how did you keep your relationship with your cats?

Background: I lived with my boyfriend and his dog for a year. My boyfriend traveled often and I was the dog’s primary caretaker. I loved taking her for walks and to the park, and feel a void now that we have broken up and I have moved out with my cats. The cats liked the dog and they spent a lot of time together but she was a very wild husky mix and sometimes bothered the cats, especially when they wanted to snuggle with me. I love my cats dearly but wish that I had a companion to go on walks with or spend time with outside. Living with a dog really helped with my depression and helping me be active and not lay in bed all day in a way that my cats just can’t do. My cats are like my children though and it would kill me to add stress to their lives.

My plan would be to get the dog certified as a therapy dog and ESA so that I could take it to work with me during the week (I am a therapist) which would give the cats ample time to be alone, but still I feel a bit torn.

Have people had positive experiences with introducing a dog to their cats? Does it seem unfair to do this to them?

submitted by /u/bluexwhales
[link] [comments]

from Pets https://www.reddit.com/r/Pets/comments/d85dua/i_live_in_a_medium_sized_1_bedroom_with_my_two/