introducing new (but old) cat to our mad house

[Kerri28]

Today i have brought a cat home from our local rescue centre. He is a BIG black cat aged about 10. very placid and lazy and very affectionate. Last owners put him up for rehoming because he needed people in the house most of the day as he cried when he was alone.

We have a dog who is very gentle, and loves cats. However she wants to investigate thoroughly and clean them - our last cat liked this

we also have a 9 month old.

cat never lived with either baby or dog, but is of strong constitution.

We brought him home this morning whilst baby in nursery and put him in dining room with large baby gate on double doors leading to living room. all of his comforts are in dining rom with him. He came to gates to see dog. growled and went to sit under table. i have been in and out all day, and have taken dog in to see him on a lead. got about a metre from cat, cat stayed sitting down but growled and hissed at dog. we left. Have done this a couple of times but getting no closer.

cat tolerated baby when introduced, didnt appreciate being patted by baby and took himself, gracefully back under table.

now the baby i can cope with, and will keep away from poor old cat.

But please help me introduce the dog - what do i do? i'm not worried that dog will hurt cat - but am worried for dog's safety - how do i take this forward? Cat is sat at back of dining room watching gate suspiciously.

TIA

To be honest, it sounds as though your new cat is doing quite well - my mother rehomed a cat and it spent the first week under the bed in the spare room...

He will get used to both the baby and the dog in due time, I think, but just need to be gradual - and give him a safe place (cupboard, top of wardrobe, that kind of thing) to retreat to. Right now, he's probably just in shock at the move..

And you could try a Feliway disperser - sort of like a plug in air freshener, but doles out cat pheromones instead of smell - and it makes them feel at home. They're a bit pricey, but do work - you get them from the vets.

Sending strokes to your new cat!

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I'd agree that the cat's doing really well and that if you give him time, and the chance to get away if need be, he'll settle in. Don't force it as they do need time to get used to each other. I have 4 cats and one dog and there's no fighting, but new arrivals can take a good few weeks to settle in. One of my cats adores my dog and is always rubbing up against her - when that cat first arrived he spent 2 whole weeks on top of a wardrobe, only popping down for food & wees when no-one else was around!

Best of luck!

Yes, you're doing great so soon. I brought my cat who was about the same age as yours into a 3 dog household. He hid for a few days under a bed and slowly came out. he rules the roost now

thanks guys, he's not doing bad i'll agree with you

he's graduated from the dining room to a utility cupboard whre he's stuffed in with his litter tray (unused ) and bed and food, but he seems happy.

he keeps getting fed up of his own company and braving the perils of the dog to come and have a cuddle, but flees when the dog moves - quite entertaining really, especially as he doesnt seem scared of the dog when dog approaches him unexpectedly, he just growls and backs away.

so we'll see - thanks for all your help - now to find where he's going to the toilet..... nice.