Most valuable advice for Frenchie + Cat owners?

[Joeturbo26]

Hello friends!

I am seeking your most valuable advice as I prepare myself mentally to bring Rico home, and he meets his new brother Luigi (5 year old Sphynx cat).

A little about Luigi (Pictures attached)...

Luigi has been my best bud for 5 years, if you've never had the opportunity to meet a Sphynx, they're nothing like a "real cat"... I'll admit it, I don't "love cats"—but you'd never know he was a cat until you hear him meow or see him use his litter box. He's beyond social, beyond clingy (I joke his name should have been Velcro or Gorilla Glue), beyond lovable and he easily adjusts to any situation. He ADORES dogs....I am not the slightest bit worried about Luigi not welcoming Rico in...I can actually imagine Luigi holding up a welcome sign when he first meets the dog...haha!

Luigi used to be toilet trained until a few years ago he had a life or death moment when he suffered from a urinary blockage and had to have a drastic surgery called a perineal urethrostomy—which in essence, funny as it sounds is a "feline sex change" in which they remove the male genitals and create a larger wider, more female appearing opening to allow blockages to pass.

With that "bathroom time" for him can be a bit more complicated, and I gave him back his litter box, so he doesn't have any bathroom related stress.

My primary concern is keeping his little box a "sacred place" silly as that sounds.... I keep his litter box in a spare bedroom (I live in a one level apartment).

Has anyone used the gates with a cat cutout? I feel this would be a logical solution—although I'm sure when Rico comes home, he will be small enough to fit through the cat door on the gate.

Anyone have any advice to offer on this topic/product/or in general when introducing a puppy to a cat? What has helped you the most?

Thanks!

 

[hannah]

Oh my goodness. Your cat is adorable. I have no advice for you however I still wanted to comment on how freakin cute he IS !!! The last pic!! Omg! I hope they turn out to be the best of friends and can't wait to see pic's of them together!

Sent from my SM-G900W8 using Tapatalk

 

[Joeturbo26]

Thanks Hannah!

 

[2bullymama]

It might be a good idea to keep that room off limits to Rico and then as he gets older train him to 'leave' the little box ... let him check it out and inspect, but if he tries to go in or have a 'snack'... teach him leave it, that will be your best shot, other than leaving the room gated off to him

 

[Squishy Walnuts]

It sounds like Luigi is going to love the puppy! I would definitely make sure the pup leaves the litter box alone. That will probably be the biggest hurdle since it sounds like Luigi is pretty laid back. He's a good looking cat!

I had a cat before I had my dogs and he thought he was human, and followed me around like a dog. I miss him.

 

[MaplesMommy]

I have a trio; one frenchie & two cats. They love each other and I often find them all 'piled up' together, cuddling.
Puppies can be very playful at times, so make sure it doesnt get too much. But as long as the cat has the option to get away (for example jump up somewhere where the pup cant bother him) then he should be fine. Cut his nails prior to the pups arrival, so you can 'allow' him to set some boundaries if the puppy gets too rough, without injuring him.
Usually dogs love the taste of cat poop (as disgusting as it sounds) so you're better off putting the litter box high up somewhere or get a litter box that is a little higher, so the pup cant 'reach in for a snack'.
By the sounds of it Luigi isnt a cat that gets stressed out much, so Im sure the two will have lots of fun together.

 

[Alice Kable]

Luigi is an awesome cat! He should be able to jump over a pet gate to get to his litter box. He will teach little Rico how to treat a cat, and probably they will be best buddies!