Is it possible to not fight like cats & dogs ? Suitable age & tips for introducing.

[Willowisp]

I'm looking to rehome a rescue dog but have a lovely cat who spends most of her day & night sleeping, napping or sitting on my lap.

What would be the maximum age of a dog to ensure successful living together ? Generally how long does it take for cats/dogs to settle ?

I have 2 dd's (8 & 5) & am a sahm. Local rescue centre suggested something like an 11 mth old puppy, which had just booked.

[bumpybecky]

we've done this twice now....

First time, cats were around 12- 18 months (3 cats, all rescues) and the dog (lab x collie) was about 6 months old. The dog got her nose smacked a few times, but it all worked out ok in the end :) one cat took longer than the others to tolerate the dog, but he was a totally neurotic thing and probably doesn't count!

Second time, loony neurotic cat now dead, other two cats now about 15 or so and we're fostering a 10 year old jrt x lurcher. Dog has previous lived with cats but we were warned she'd also chase them. We watched them all carefully for the first few hours. We watched as very naughty cats pinched food from dog's bowl and she just sat there and wagged! dog did try to chase one cat in the garden the next day, he just stood there and waited, dog got confused and walked off!

Top tips - make sure dog is on the lead when you introduce them (give you more control). Lots of treats for both dog and cat, lots of positive encouragement.

Also make sure your cat has dog free space, ideally a room (or floor of house) the dog can't access.

Don't be surprised if the cat takes a while to come round to the idea of living with a dog. One of our cats was best mates with our first dog. They played together, was great to watch :)

[Willowisp]

thanks, good to know they can be introduced ok. My cat is about 6 or 7 (she's a rescue) & quite the homebody. The lady at the rescue centre mentioned locking her in so she doesn't start to live outside. Good tip about using the lead & I think I'd get a crate, particularly after reading the threads on here about them.

[nooka]

We'd had our cats for about a year (and they were two) when we got our puppy who was eight weeks old. They wound each other up a bit at first (the pup was in his room behind a dog door and the cats would come up and look at him and then saunter off until he burst through the gate in order to chase them) but soon settled down. Our cats are pretty independent, out most of the day and the pup sleeps in his room at night so they get to roam the house if they want.

Now we are a couple of years down the line and on the whole the pup is pretty found of the cats, and particularly enjoys licking them clean. One of the cats positively encourages this and the other one tolerates it. The only grief we have is either when the dog gets carried away with the cleaning and annoys the cat, or when we pay too much attention to the cats and the dog gets jealous. He lets them eat his food though!

[Willowisp]

Thanks Still looking for suitable pooch as the one I liked has just been reserved...