Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I rescue many animals in my home and up until now I have been primarily focued on reptiles. I have a green iguana, a bearded dragon, a ambanja panther chameleon, leopard geckos, green anoles, a dalmation hamster, (well not a reptile), and a red-eared slider. I have just been given the opportunity to help save a small helpless 13 week old kitten, almost too cute to pass up. Is this not a good idea? Is it ok to have a kitten in the house with the reptiles. My heart is teling me to save this little girl and welcome her into our loving family. I want to do what is best what is right. What should I do? does anyone have any experience with this type of situation?

We have at least one person who uses this forum who has both cats and reptiles. She will probably be able to help you and hopefully she will find your post!

If your reptiles and other small pets are well-caged, then there shouldn't be a problem, although you shouldn't allow the kitten open access to them unless they are large enough to fend for themselves. If the reptiles you have are likely to eat a kitten, then of course the answer is no.
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Smile, it will make them wonder what you are up to!

Hi! We breed both cats and snakes, and I would say, go for it, as long as you keep your reptiles caged. If, however any of your lizards are 'free roamers', it would be a bad idea and everyone would get hurt. If you need to let your iguana out for a time, for swimming, climbing and what not, just close the kitten into another room, for that time. Will they be friends?- Unlikely. Can they co-exist?- Definatly. Oh, and a tip for you, be aware that the cat WILL sit on top of your enclosures staring at and pawing at the herps, if it can. Be creative to keep the cat off. Also, if there isn't a lid on your turtle tank, put one on, or your kitty will lose a toe! Good luck!
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Jennifer

My alley cats: Annabel Lee, Othello, Helena, Vladimir, and Maxwell.

My Bengal: Razzle Tazzle.

My Himalayans: Krueger, Jinx, Dumplin', Dervish, Angel, and Precious. Thank you, Jennifer, Sandy, and Rita for trusting me with your babies!!!

oh, follow your heart and take the kitten! i have 7 snakes and 3 cats, 2 dogs and they all get along. my cats are interested in the snakes from time to time so i have to make sure their lids are secure. but i've never had a problem with either getting at the other.

now when i have my 7 foot python out i make sure the cats are out of the room. i don't know much about the reptiles you listed but like the other post said just keep your lids an enclosures secure. you should be fine.

Is it ok to have a kitten in the house with the reptiles.
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In my opinion you have quite a collection of reptiles and a kitten is a bad mix.Accidents do happen and one day the kitten could be a bulge in a reptiles stomach.
You don't need that kitten so get it a home where it will be safe.
Lou

Ok, I'm sorry Lou, but that is ridiculous! There's no reason to assume there would ever be a problem, and besides that all of the reptiles in question, except the turtle are herbivores!!!!! I can't stand it when people make ill informed assumptions about reptiles and their habits! We have kept snakes, which ARE carnivorous and cats for most of 10 years. We have NEVER had a problem with our cats being in harms way, though they have put the reptiles in harms way a few times! Summer before last, we had over 200 snakes here at one point, and never 1 problem. Please don't offer advice about something that you don't know anything about.
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Jennifer

My alley cats: Annabel Lee, Othello, Helena, Vladimir, and Maxwell.

My Bengal: Razzle Tazzle.

My Himalayans: Krueger, Jinx, Dumplin', Dervish, Angel, and Precious. Thank you, Jennifer, Sandy, and Rita for trusting me with your babies!!!

Jennifer, sadly a lot of folks think of pythons when the think of snakes eating small mammals. Most snakes certainly cannot and will not be able to swallow prey whole much less digest it!
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Smile, it will make them wonder what you are up to!

Posted by: PHMadameAlto at Thu Jan 26 20:53:07 2006 [ Report Abuse ] [ Email Message ]

Jennifer, sadly a lot of folks think of pythons when the think of snakes eating small mammals. Most snakes certainly cannot and will not be able to swallow prey whole much less digest it!
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but i don't think you know about snakes. the only way they can eat is to swallow prey whole. they are able to swallow something much bigger then you would think and digest it very well.

you are so right. someone who hasn't had reptiles doesn't know. i have never ever had a problem with my cats and the snakes. i am very careful with them and when i have them out i make sure the cats aren't going to get at them. for the most part my corns are much to small to eat a cat and my python is still not big enough to eat a cat. most people automatically think ''oh, boa! big snake.' not all snake are big enough to eat a cat.

since the reptiles in question aren't even snakes i don't think there is anything to worry about. now i dont' know how big the iguana is. if it is big then maybe that could be a problem but other wise i would give the kitten a home.

Well I do not have any reptiles that would eat a kitten. But I would agree that it may not be the perfect mix. I am still having mixed feelings... I am more inclined to fear that one of my reptiles would end up as a buldge in her stomach than the other way around.

sandraj....you just have to make sure all is secure with your reptile babies. i know you are worried but really it should be ok. if anything its best to raise a kitten with the reptiles so that when its an adult it will know to stay away from them. vs taking in an adult cat. that i would worry about but not a kitten. just use common sense for both and it will be ok to have the kitten. if anything you could always try it an see then if doesn't work out find a home for the kitten? just my thougths for you..

Though I only have 1 reptile (a cornsnake), I do have many amphibians living with my 4 cats. I have never had a huge problem, but the one thing that I would recommend in addition to just keeping lids secured, is using pegboard lids for your tanks instead of screen(unless the kitten grows up to be a tiny cat). One time my cat was laying on top of a screen-top lid of one of my frogs and the screen broke through (Cat is about 11 lbs). Luckily the frog was busy hiding, so it didn't come out to meet a certain death. Also, some herps are poisonous if ingested so if the cat eats one it can be a bad situation for both critters involved. As long as you are careful, you can happily enjoy herps, rodents, and cats all in the same house. But just keep in mind that just one accident can be dangerous or deadly to all involved.

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2.2 Wonderful kitties "KIMBA, TOPAZ, GULLIVER AND TANTOR"
0.1 WTF "Pepe"
1.1 Firebelly toads "Bif & Kaboom"
0.0.1 Painted (chubby) frog "Millhouse"
0.1 Normal Cornsnake "Skoda"
0.0.3 Red-leg running frogs(??) "Esma, Krank, Kusko"
and Lots of fish!

Have a lot of snakes, which I breed, and no problem with cats around. * I don't breed cats. Shelters have more than enough to go around, cats that is.
All my snakes are colubrids and can be easily killed by cats if they escaped. Just make sure cats don't come in contact with snake "material" when housekeeping, and wash your hands before petting or handling cats. My cages are opaque so there's not much action for cats to watch.
Large constrictors and cats are another story, sadly.

Mike