Please talk me out of ....

[Taz_Zoee]

I have two dogs and two cats. When I got Paizly I only had Taz (RB kitty) and Zoee. I put her in the spare bedroom and slowly introduced her to the house and the other animals. They can smell each other under the door and I have a baby gate I put up. Then I let Zoee in the room to meet her. She was fine, they both were. Then I'd let Paizly out to the rest of the house under close supervision. Eventually (and it doesn't seem like it was that long) she was out and about in the house terrorizing Taz.
Then when I brought Jax home I already had Zoee, Paizly and Taggart. I did the same with him. Only I had to supervise the baby gate interaction since he was quick to scale the gate.
I would say it only took about two weeks before the kitten was able to be out in the house.

Do you have a room or even a bathroom where kitten can live for a couple weeks while getting acquainted with the dogs? If you are willing and able to take the time (and I'm sure you are) to do the slow, well supervised introduction then I say GO FOR IT!!

I'm sure I don't need to say this - but just don't leave them alone together until you are completely comfortable with their interactions with each other.

[phesina]

Please adopt a kitten (or two..) !

You know that any questions or possible problems come up, you need only speak your concern here, and you will get all the answers and advice you will ever need!

from Pat and cats

[Freedom]

First, there are traits specific to a breed. MOST bichons have little to no prey drive. MOST Akitas have a high prey drive.

Then, there are individuals. Of all my fluffs, this group followed their breed ideal and had no prey drive: Sugar, Lacey, Marlin, Ozzy, Ben.

THIS group did not read the breed standard! - Riley, Willy, Tony - pup.

Tasha is not listed. As a puppy mill rescue, Tasha has no idea what she is supposed to do. For the first 3 years she lived here, she ignored the cats, because the other dogs here did. Then Willy arrived. Now, Tasha chases the cats but when she gets up to them, she stops, as she has no idea WHY she is chasing them. So skip over Tasha completely; mill rescues are a whole 'nother story.

You will first want to learn about prey drive in your dogs' breeds. THEN you need to sort out your individuals for their personalities. And Sissy was still very young when Luke passed, so I'm not so sure her full personality had developed. Can't recall her age, exactly. Plus, Luke knew how to dish out a swat, which a kitten may or may not at first.

I think the bigger issue will be the food and boxes. I have baby gates all over my house, to keep the dogs out of the cat food and litter boxes. Once a dog gets a taste of the 'tootsie roll' in the litter box, that's it, they go repeatedly. Cats are not efficient digesters, their poops are high in protein -- and so, taste good to dogs. But that high protein is high enough to give the dog kidney issues. If the dog(s) are going to get in to the litter boxes, you can bet that it will happen when you are not home, the first time.

Personally, I think your 2 dogs will be fine with a kitten. Your putting the cat bowl on a stool, well, that just suggests to me that you have not quite sorted it all out in your mind as yet. You will, and then you will be posting an announcement on here about your new family member!