Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Pets

Join our community on the Pet forum to discuss anything related to pets.

New puppy is here!! but cats have legged it :(

4 replies

lisad123wantsherquoteinDM · 20/06/2010 12:53

Our lovely chocolate brown labardoddle is here
He is lovely, and seemed calm to us. however we introduced him to one of our cats, and he went mad, stratched DH and tried to scratch puppy too. Now both our cats who normally lay in the garden have gone and im worried they wont come back. Any help please

OP posts:
musicposy · 20/06/2010 14:09

I don't know if this is reassurance, but we got a puppy two weeks ago and our cat legged it too. He was terrified of her (stupid cat, the puppy was smaller!) and wouldn't come in the house at all. He lived in the garden for the best part of a week and we had to leave the cat flap open at night (puppy upstairs) in the hope he would come in for food, which he did.

After a good few days, he started coming in for food in the day occasionally, first checking she was not around. A couple of times she approached him in the garden and he ran off immediately. I was so, so worried we would lose him as I adore our cat.

Next, he started rushing through the house to get upstairs, hissing and spitting at her as he went. He scratched he once too. Poor puppy was very bemused!

Well, now, after two weeks, I wouldn't say they are friends exactly but he is coming in the house a lot more and will now stay in the same room as her, though always in places she can't get to such as on windowsills or high cupboards. So it is improving.

It was a complete shock to me as we already have another dog and old dog and cat are great friends. I think cat will continue to come round but it will take time.

I'd make sure your cat has easy access to food where he doesn't have to run the obviously terrifying gauntlet of the puppy! Even if that is outside - your main aim is to keep him on your property for now so he doesn't defect to somewhere else. Oh, and I'd buy the cat the best, tastiest food you can possibly get, then it's much less likely the asda own brand stuff in the house down the road will be so attractive .

Good luck, and don't panic just yet!

lisad123wantsherquoteinDM · 20/06/2010 14:11

well puppy will be downstairs and both cats come though upstairs bathroom window most days, so will ensure they have food up there. Our eldest cat is nearly 8 and younger one is 5, they are part of our family. Really hope it is ok in the end

OP posts:
musicposy · 20/06/2010 14:15

I hope it is too for you - but I think if your cats can come in upstairs and you keep your puppy downstairs, you have a good chance. Also, I wouldn't force the situation too much - just act as nonchalent as normale and leave out some food and I am sure they will appear - even if its at night when the house is quiet.

Our cat is 5 and our older dog 8 - and they are both adjusting now - gradually. Have fun with your puppy!

hatwoman · 21/06/2010 22:59

our cat went on a roof-top protest when big-dog arrived. she sat on the garage roof for about 4 days and refused to come inside. we left food for her and gradually she braved the house. we made sure she had a safe spot for food and basket that big-dog couldn;t get to. and we stopped the dog from chasing her. now they are friends. they sniff each others noses and play with each other. they're jealous too - if I make a fuss of one of them the other one appears from wherever they are. from what you say about the upstairs window I'm sure they'll come back - as long as there's tasty food around.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page