Q: My cat is getting older and I really want to get a puppy. I’ll be off work over the holidays, so I was thinking this was a good time. I plan on teaching the puppy to go on pee pads so it should be pretty easy. I want a small dog to sit on my lap and keep me company. Do you think my elderly cat would get used to a puppy?

A: So many red flags are going off in my mind right now. Let me think where to start. First if your cat is getting older, it might be best to wait until the cat is gone before getting a puppy. I know it is always difficult to think about losing a beloved pet, so we often want to get another one to fill the void before it even happens. This can sometimes be hard on the older animal. Some older dogs do come out of their shell a little and find some “puppy” left in them and run and play. Cats, however, usually don’t take to change as much, especially when some young pup is running around chasing a cat who probably wants to just bask in the sun.

Having said that, the cat will either go high (if still able) and ignore the pup, or swat at the pup a few times to teach a lesson. The problem with the latter is that an eye scratch for a pup (or any animal for that matter) can be quite serious. You know better than anyone the personality and health status of your cat. If there are health issues, the stress may be too much for this elderly puss.

My other concern when I read your email is your statement “it should be pretty easy.” There is nothing “easy” about raising a puppy. They are a lot of work. They chew things, run around and get into everything, and just because you are planning to train to a pee pad does not mean that housebreaking will be easy. You will have to go through a routine of watching your pup closely and taking her/him to the pad frequently. The use of a crate can make this a little easier, but puppy-raising is a lot of work. Training classes and socialization are crucial to eventually having a pup who will sit on your lap as you suggested you would like. This isn’t going to happen right away.

You may want to consider an adult dog if you are looking for something a little easier than a pup and someone who is happy to cuddle up and be a couch potato. When you meet an adult dog, you get a better idea of the type of personality this dog has. Puppies are tough to figure out what you will get until they grow. Of course, any time you go to a shelter to get an animal, it takes a little time for settling into a new home, but housebreaking and training go a lot faster with an adult animal if you take the time than with a developing puppy.

I applaud you for thinking about the time you will have to spend with whatever animal you decide to get. The holidays can be a good time to get a pet if you are planning on staying home and having a fairly calm vacation. If you are having a lot of people coming to the house, it might be best to wait at least until the festivities are over before bringing a new animal into the house. Lots of people, food, and noise can be very stressful on any animal, especially one who is getting used to a new environment.

Thanks for writing and asking great questions. It shows that you are really trying to plan ahead and do what is best for your present cat and any future animals that may join your household. Good luck in your decision.