Westie chasing cat. Need advice.

[Mockingcurl]

I have a two year old,male, ginger cat.

Six weeks ago I got a four year old female Westie. She is a rescue dog. She is an absolute joy. However, she terrorises my poor cat. She can be in a deep sleep, but if she hears or sees the cat she will chase him.
My cat has taken to hiding upstairs or on top of the shed. He has lost masses of weight and is obviously very stressed. It's not fair on him to continue like this, but I don't know how to stop the dog chasing the cat.
We shout 'no' if we can, but generally she is so fast we can't catch her.
I could do with some advice as we may have to think of re homing my lovely cat if we can't sort this out.

[Mockingcurl]

Anyone?

[Floralnomad]

Why would you rehome the cat that you've had for 2 years rather than the dog that's only been there 6 weeks ? On a more positive note make sure that the cat has areas in the house that he knows are safe ( like upstairs behind a stair gate ) , shelves downstairs that he can sit up high on are also good . Feed the cat where the dog can't get at him ,like upstairs . If they are both in the house keep the dog on a lead attached to you so that she can't chase the cat ,until she learns to behave .

[toboldlygo]

Agreed, cat was there first, should really be a case of last in first out!

Keep a lead on the dog - a long lightweight house line, Clix do one that is sold in Pets at Home - this solves the problem of being able to catch her, you can grab the line anywhere along its length or even stamp on it if need be.

Stamp on the line, bring her to an abrupt stop, shout 'NO' or 'LEAVE' and offer an alternative behaviour - a food or toy reward for returning to you and sitting/watch me would be ideal.

Make sure the cat has a safe space by gating off upstairs if necessary. Just remember that you are dealing with a terrier that has been bred for its instinct to hunt small furry things for a very long time. Was she cat tested by the rescue?

[Mockingcurl]

Thank you for your help.
She was tested by the rescue for cats. I spent three hours with her in a room with two cats. She completely ignored them.
I will try her with a long lead and a stair gate.

[Floralnomad]

Sorry if I sounded a bit harsh before but I'm sure once the cat knows he is safe behind a gate he will get lots of pleasure sitting on the stairs ,out of reach but aggravatingly close! That's what my mums cat does with her terriers anyway . Sounds like there is hope of training the dog anyway if she ignored the cats before.

[Mockingcurl]

Thanks Flora. I agree with you. She also ignores the neighbours cats who have all turned round and whacked her on the nose. My cat needs to do the same.

[Grunzlewheek]

Child gates are wonderful, and the cat will soon learn he can just jump over them and be safe.