Getting a kitten with puppy?

I'm planning on getting a Shih-tzu puppy soon. I live alone and work
full time, although I can pretty easily get home midday so they pup
shouldn't be along longer than five hours in the morning and another
couple hours in the afternoon. I can't really afford two dogs, but I
was wondering if getting a kitten at the same time would be a good
idea. I've had cats before and love them. I just wonder if getting them
young at the same time would maybe give them both someone to play with?

Kathleen...

If you can't really afford two dogs, what makes you think you can afford
a dog and a cat? The purchase price of the animal itself is small
potatoes compared to the cost of lifelong care for the animal. Cats
need to see a vet for shots and flea preventative, maybe heartworm meds,
etc, and you've got to buy food, kitty litter, etc.

Janet B...

Should I mention that 2 of my cats have cost me more than any of my
dogs? And you didn't count in S/N ;-D. We don't use flea
preventative on any of the beasts, and since the cats stay inside, no
HW meds either (I know it's a possibility, but very low).

Cats can be pretty high maintenance per pound, and high cost as well.
They're not as cooperative a dogs for one thing!

shore...

Also, while they don't eat as much the food is a lot more
expensive.

ceb...

They're a lot quieter though. Sometimes, on bad dog days (I know, there are

shelly...

The OP was asking about getting a *kitten* at the same time as a
puppy. Kittens are a pain in the ass, no matter how cute and
lovable they are. They're busy and obnoxious about getting into
things. I wouldn't want to try managing a kitten and a puppy at the
same time.

That said, even full-grown cats are work. I think people can easily
under-estimate the amount of time and energy it takes to keep them
happy and healthy. I tend to view it as similar to the difference
between having a dog and doing what it takes to give your dog the
best quality of life you can. Yes, dogs can adapt to benign
neglect, but I wouldn't consider such a life to be ideal.

Janet B...

I'll send you Carey. She screams at us a lot, mostly in the evenings.
She's a very typical and weird tortie.

shelly...

Wanna bet? Mr. RoryPants was the noisest damned cat EVAR.
Harriet's unnaturally quiet, for a dog, but still. Cats can make
plenty of noise, and are than dogs harder to train to "hush."

And then there was the Siamese mix my roommate in college had. Dear
gawd, was living with that cat ever a miserable experience.

no bad dogs, only bad dog behaviors), I close myself up with the cat and
say "don't make me go out there again" and she will let me curl up with her
and she will purr in a very civilized fashion. These are the days on which
I wonder how in heaven's name I went from having only cats for 18 years to
having 3 dogs and only 1 cat. Who am I??????

shelly...

Beats me, but I've always had cats, and as much as I love them, I'm
not intending to have any more after Pandora is gone.

Les Hilliard...

I would tend to think that a puppy alone would be enough to handle (i.e.
training, housebreaking, etc...) without compounding the situation with two
animals. Especially two animals of different species and the fact that you
will have limited time during the day to work with them. I have a Shih-Tzu
myself and have found them to be wonderful little companions, quite bright,
and very easy to work with. Above all else, they crave their humans love
and attention. Dividing your attention between puppy and kitten during
critical bonding and training periods may be asking for problems.
Please keep in mind that I am not a professional or a trainer but I do
have some experience with Shih-Tzu's. In my opinion, I have found them to
be quite content to nap during the day and even entertain themselves if
given appropriate toys, providing you give them lot's of love and attention
when you are home, they get sufficient exercise, and of course, proper
training. There are a lot of good trainers in this group that can help you
with training issues and techniques if you have questions. However, as I
said, I would suggest sticking with one animal at a time until it is
properly trained and older. - - Les Hilliard