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The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

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Original poster

Can my Dog and Cat live in harmony?

20 replies

twofaceshenanigans · 16/03/2013 08:01

We got our beautiful 2 year old cat in December from the Cats protection, she had a untreated broken leg and very very scared of everyone, we've had no problems with her she's settled in wonderfully and loves the DC, she does not like to sit on laps etc but is very loving and I have no complaints about her.
We brought home a 7 month old puppy on Thursday that is also a rescue and my poor kitty is refusing to come downstairs and just puffs up and attacks the dog which in turn tries to chase the cat, vicious circle. On their own both are the perfect animals, together they are horrendous!

Any advice would be great. I don't know where to post so have posted in here and The LitterTray

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TwoBoiledEggs · 16/03/2013 08:05

We got a puppy 2 weeks ago. The cat retreated upstairs, but is slowly - very slowly - coming closer. It's hard though. The puppy sees her and it's like "Oh wow! Someone my size to play with". Tbh, the cat needs to stand her ground and not run away but at least she is coming downstairs a bit more each day. I live in hope of a peaceful bond between them eventually... So shall be watching with interest.

Original poster

twofaceshenanigans · 16/03/2013 08:07

Did your cat go on hunger strike? Mine is only eating tiny tiny amounts and she really has the hump with me

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TwoBoiledEggs · 16/03/2013 17:28

Twoface Yup, she did. I ended up ordering her some wet food the other day... which she has no trouble scoffing! The dried food was not cutting it.

I am also erecting a babygate. OMG. How tricky are those blasted things? Clearly, I have wiped out the memory of them since I last used one for a baby. But perhaps that will help as the puppy will not be able to hound her

Original poster

twofaceshenanigans · 16/03/2013 18:40

We brought a gate yesterday!

She already has wet food and is refusing it so I gave in and brought her some tuna which she ate high up on the 7 foot wall in the garden! My neighbour was like this watching me sanding on a chair trying persuade her down!

I really hope she gets better because I feel so bad for her, she just point blank refuses to come downstairs, I'm putting her out a few times a day for the toilet then she will only come in through the front door and shoots straight into DD room.

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Marne · 16/03/2013 19:09

We have had our pup for 8 weeks now and my cat has only just got brave enough to come into the living room with it. These things take time, i'm sure in time they will be best friends, my cat cuddles up to my other dog, i am hoping in time he can be like that with the new pup.

TwoBoiledEggs · 16/03/2013 19:24

Marne That is very reassuring! Clearly I was naive in thinking it would only take a few days though .

Original poster

twofaceshenanigans · 16/03/2013 19:26

That's reassuring, I think it's just going to take a long time isn't it!

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ruledbyheart · 16/03/2013 19:29

The best tip I had was crate the dog let the cat wander and get used to the dog safely and the dog get used to the cat that way, after that leash the dog and let them sniff and reward calm behaviour until dog is realiable enough to not see the cat as a playtoy.

Original poster

twofaceshenanigans · 16/03/2013 19:38

That's the problem, the pup sees the cat as a toy I think and doesn't want to hurt her but the cat is likes her own space and is most put out and just the sight of the dog makes her run.

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BrianCoxandTheTempleofDOOM · 16/03/2013 19:46

I did it the other way round - had a dog and then got one cat, 2 years later got another.

The dog, true to form, was all about the cat-love! The cats, on both occasions were not happy (both kittens) about being sniffed and rolled over and generally annoyed. Any interaction was closely monitored and refereed by me and it was short and sweet bursts until the dog lost interest.

Can you put cat into a cat basket and have the dog sniff/get to know him that way?

My dog is now 6.5 yo, Evil Cat is 3.5 and Ginger Moron is 18 months - they all adore each other. There is hope!

Check out my pics on my profile, there is one of GM eating the dog (as you do!) Dog is very much at the bottom of the pecking order in this house

BrianCoxandTheTempleofDOOM · 16/03/2013 19:49

sorry, re the cat basket. Bring cat into the room for 5 minutes, every day, so they can see each other.

Do not make a big thing out of it, do not encourage the dog to approach (ie ignore the fact the cat is there, let the dog sniff at her but don't actively encourage the dog to approach IYSWIM) and call the dog away and reward with a treat - showing him that if he leaves cat alone, he gets rewarded?

Original poster

twofaceshenanigans · 16/03/2013 20:01

The dog does not need encouraging to go near the cat! We have to pull her away, the cat runs the pup chases then the cat is frit to death. I have a number of a behavior specialist that offered her help when we took the dog, I thnk I might give her a call. this is the ONLY issue we have other than that she is perfect, howled and barked the first night but is now fine with being left.

Some really great ideas here and nice to see others success stories!

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BrianCoxandTheTempleofDOOM · 16/03/2013 20:06

The cat has to learn to stand her ground and not run - confuses the buggery out of dogs when that happens

Seriously, the cat will (hopefully) learn that trick and the dog will forever more be under the paw!

I am sure once the dog realises the cat isn't that interesting (which unfortunately, for a puppy EVERYTHING is really fun and interesting) then things will calm down.

You will get there, cat is being a typical cat and dog is being typical dog - they will learn to live in harmony, it will just take a bit of time.

Spero · 16/03/2013 20:12

It will take time. I got a stair gate and didn't let he dog upstairs for first couple of months. Cats sulked upstairs for ages. One seems quite fond of dog now and joins us on walks, the other will still hiss and spit but tolerates dog much better, they are both on the sofa with me now.

I would also tell dog off if she chased after them.

I wouldn't try bringing cat to dog, think that would be very stressful. Mine just gradually got used to each other but it took at least six months.

Original poster

twofaceshenanigans · 16/03/2013 20:15

I'm so glad that you are all saying it can take up to months, I really was starting to worry! I knew it would take a while but I was starting to think earlier that the poor cat is going to never see the downstairs again!! I think that the fact the cat hasn't ran away is a good sign.

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BrianCoxandTheTempleofDOOM · 16/03/2013 20:18

My advice based on the cat being a kitten, so yes - probably could be too stressful for older cat (with possible issues being a rescue).

My dog now has a problem where she thinks all cats are like our cats. They aren't. Next door's cat has made it her mission to gouge dog's eyes out and sits waiting by the back gate. Dog refuses to go out and cowers til cat is shoo'd away! dog is pathetic wimp

Original poster

twofaceshenanigans · 16/03/2013 20:20

Brian that did make me laugh!

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Spero · 16/03/2013 20:21

If it was an older calmer dog I might advocate bringing the kitten to it - but not a puppy. All they want to do is play, jump and lick, might be a bit terrifying.

But could depend on personality of cat! My dog is now generally wary of all cats after all the swipes she has got at home.

Original poster

twofaceshenanigans · 16/03/2013 20:29

I really don't think the pup has seen a cat before, she's been in kennels since she was 3 months old, and I have no idea on the cats history except the abuse she suffered from her previous owners husband.

I'm just going to give it lots of time, the cat is still getting lots of fuss from us all and I am making sure she doesn't feel abandoned and still feels secure.

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Marne · 16/03/2013 20:44

It will take a long time, I stupidly thought it wouldn't too, my pup is now scared of the cat, the cat did scratch his eye resulting in a trip to the vets so he knows now to leave the cat alone but they will sit close to each other now.

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