Have posted this in the Doghouse too but perhaps this is more appropriate! We have a cat (female aged 10), gentle and affectionate. Today we brought home a 5 year-old rescue JRT who had been cat tested and had met our cat once before and it went fine.
The dog is a dream, calm and placid and seems obedient (don't know his back story as he's a stray). He barked at the cat when he first met her today but we tried another introduction and they seemed quite calm with eachother, just checking eachother out. Trouble is now the cat has got the terrors and won't come downstairs at all. I've put up a stair-gate but the dog can get over it so that's no good so I've dispensed with it and I've just kept the downstairs shut off so the dog can't get upstairs. She has her own room with bed, food and a litter-tray. I'm too scared to let her outside in case she never comes back (she uses the cat flap and goes out regularly) so she's basically just staying in that room and I let her sleep on my bed last night which she loved :). The dog was very happy in his crate downstairs and I didn't hear a peep out of him all night.
The dog is good with the cat, calm, keeps his distance and since the initial barking just seems interested in her. But with her, it just seems like sheer terror! I'm just wondering where I go from here? How long do I keep them completely separated and should I try regular introductions? If the worst comes to the worst I'll just have to keep her upstairs and him downstairs but I don't want to deprive her of her beloved outside. Thanks!