Introducing cats to dogs - success stories please!

[sebastianthesingingaubergine]

Hello,

So DH is against taking on a dog at the moment, mainly because of our cats. We have two. I am trying to talk him round, and am open to having either a puppy, or a young rescue that has been cat-tested.

Have you introduced a new dog to cats? And if so, what were your methods?

Am also interested in how many people had cats leave home in disgust! (I'm not keen for that to happen).

Ta.

We have two female tortoiseshell cats. Quite grumpy by nature! We got our boy when he was 8 weeks and just let them all be in the same room together. He did chase them quite a bit at first, but we soon nipped it in the bud. He's 18 months now and the girls just tend to ignore him now.

Thanks Who. I was thinking we would crate if we ended up with a puppy and let them suss each other out through the bars. I've just seen a gorgeous saluki x deerhound that is a much bigger dog than I intended, but think I am already in love....

We have always had both and never had a problem. Some got on well, some were more detached but with sensitively handled introductions all should be well.
These are ours:

It takes a certain sort of cat mind :o

We have cats and dogs and at various points in time have introduced new cats to the family. (Well, when a stray followed us home and decided to stay!).

Never ever had a problem. Cats tend to sort themselves out quite well, as they are well armed. The key we thought was to introduce the new family member slowly, keep an eye on things and everyone tends to work themselves out.

Our cats and puppy get on pretty well. Both male cats, about 3 when the puppy came home. Helped that he was 1.5kg at the time and the cats are hulking British short hairs! They weren't beyond giving him a clout round the head if he annoyed them!

We have a stairgate which we keep closed if the dog's in an annoying mood so the cats can go upstairs and relax in peace. However, I'd be a bit worried about a sighthound with cats as our puppy's chase reflex is set off whenever they run and he storms after them, despite the fact if they're chilling on the floor or bed he'll lie down with them without any problems. If it were a bigger dog with a strong prey drive I'd worry!

The boy cat beat the puppy repeatably so the pattern was set. Boy cat is boss dog is minion who does as he is told. Sometimes boy cat beats dog up even though he does the right thing - for fun!

Ha ha Topbannana thats fab!

The lurcher I have my eye on is 4 months old, ad says she is used to his ferrets! I guess she was bought to work, but his GSD doesn't agree with her living with him. She is gorgeous.

I have a small black female cat, mouser extraordinaire, who gives as good as she gets despite her size. And a large ginger boy, looks hard as nails. His choice of prey? Daddylonglegs. My main worry with him would be stress, but am prepared to drown the house in feliway before any new arrivals.

Am trying not to get too attached to a picture of a lurcher! Waiting for the husband to come home for approval of a slightly larger dog than planned.

If you really need to get a cat-friendly dog then I'd go for a rescue dog that has been assessed as good with them.

Certainly don't get a terrier as they will chase anything that moves. Our female cat is still in a huff and won't come in further than the utility room 4 year later

Hi I did it the other way round have a 2 year old springer x lurcher, from a rescue and last year I got a young rescue cat, then this year two kittens heading to rescue (don't ask I'm the softest touch in the world!) and everything went smoothly they are great friends, in fact right now they are all on my bed! Have to say though it all depends on the temperament of the dog, mine is as soft as butter and will tolerate being chased, mewed at, poked prodded and generally anything in fact seems to quite enjoy the attention! They actively seek each other out only occasionally squabbling over who gets to sit on ds1.
If you are getting from a rescue then they should be able to guide you.

We've got 3 cats, and a lurcher who joined us from rescue at 6 months old. We did worry that cat2 might leave home (she has form for stropping off), but she's actually been fine.
Cat1 rules the dog with an iron paw, but its hilarious watching dog trying to get the cat to play with him by offering his ball
We have a baby gate on the kitchen so the cats get to eat in peace, and the dog has a crate so when we are out and dog is in, the cats have the upper hand, and similarly at night.

Make sure that any rescue you consider has been really, properly tested with cats - we adopted from EGLR, and all their dogs are fostered in homes, and our dog was in a house with many cats so they knew he wasn't a chaser. Some rescues have them in kennels, so may be going on what they have been told, or a quick introduction when the dog is stressed.

Thanks everyone. I'm still talking the husband round. Tonight this has meant I have had to be very grumpy and miserable.

Looking at proper rescues now rather than the one in the local paper. One has some cute lurcher pups, and a 4 month old found in a dustbin when he was tiny:( poor baby.

Our house can be compartmentalised quite easily, so I could do crates/ baby gates to separate them when we are out/ overnight.

I had two cats when Bedlington puppy was brought home, all went well for about a year until I think the rescue tabby got chased in the garden by dog (terriers will chase). He moved upstairs and we installed a baby gate, they were kept apart a mealtimes and at night the dog in kitchen and tabby could use cat flap. The Burmese was much too sussed to be upset by a dog.
I now have two dogs and a rescue tortie, she was passed on by the vets after having had a road accident, so broken pelvis and amputated tail. She had to be contained for 3 weeks after surgery and was kept in a crate in the sittingroom, so safely sharing space with the dogs. When she was released there were no problems. In fact she will choose which of the dogs' beds she wants to sleep on and chases the dogs in the garden. Mind you she is the most confident cat I have ever known and still plays in the road despite her RTA.
Initial meetings have to be managed, terriers and hounds will think they can chase and need to be discouraged. It really depends on the cats, dogs will avoid a confident cat, who is likely to tolerate the inferior creature .

My little dog loves cats, but our neighbour's wrinkle up their nose and curl their lips back. 2 are bigger than my little dog. I think they find her smell distainful for my little dog though. The 1st one she met, she tried so hard to make him like her, many times, but he made it clear he didn't.
They are not cats that live with me though.

I had one cat originally, and have introduced 2 dogs and 5 cats (not all at once ) to the mix.

I generally just let them get on with it, and only intervene if I feel I have to. Generally the cats just sulk and hiss a bit, then look disapproving for a week or so.

Make sure that any cat-chasing is disciplined and that the cats have somewhere safe to retreat (baby gates are your friend).

I always feed the dogs and cats separately too, cats first. The dogs know not to go in the cat food, but I always supervise, and dry cat food is left out behind a baby gate so that the dogs can't get to it.

One of my dogs is very possessive of food, so she is never fed in the presence of anyone (cat, other dog or child) except me/DH.