Getting my cat used to the dogs in the house - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

StormBerlin · 12-26-2006, 08:55 AM

I just brought my kitty back from Utah and my boyfriend's house has a five year old German Shepherd and a puppy Dogo. My cat lived with my parents for about a year and they have a lab/chow and a Dachshund and they got along famously. I tried to get Kitty and Shane (the Shepherd) aquanted last night and it didn't go over well. She doesnt have any front claws so she had a nice little boxing match with the dog. He is really whiny around her and he has this ear peircing bark so I doubt that's helping. Is there an easier way to get the used to each other? I'm not too worried about the Dogo because he's a puppy. Any advice? Thanks

I'll post more on my lunch, but I'm working right now so I don't have a ton of time. Thanks again.

JustJess · 12-26-2006, 09:10 AM

Are the dogs disciplined? Usually, the best thing is if they'll be passive and let the cat figure them out, and feel safe around them. You could have the dogs sleep on a particular blanket, and then have that blanket at home - to familiarize the cat with their scents.

Most of the time, as long as the dogs don't chase the cats, the cats figure out very quickly how to get the dogs to do what they want. They generally work it out for themselves (at least, they always did in my house!).

ratbastid · 12-26-2006, 09:40 AM

Yeah, it's usually best to let them sort it out. In this case, though, with a declawed cat and a high prey/chase drive dog like a Shepherd, don't leave them unsupervised until you're SURE SURE SURE they're okay together.

Never, ever forget: a Shepherd was bred to chase things, that's its whole purpose in life. Domestic cats get killed every single day by dogs that are bred to chase and hunt smaller animals--and that instinct can take over an otherwise sweet and docile dog in a flash, even when everything seems cool. And your cat's main defensive tool has been amputated. So be totally vigilant.

See <a href="http://www.canismajor.com/dog/dogscats.html">this excellent article</a> on the subject over at <a href="http://www.canismajor.com/dog/index.html">Dog Owner's Guide</a>, a really fantastic resource for all things canine.

Good luck!

StormBerlin · 12-26-2006, 03:14 PM

Thanks so much Jess and ratbastid. I'll try the blanket thing tonight before bed. I think I'm going to swap out their blankets completely for a night and see if that helps at all.

That article was really interesting as well... I think I might just put Shane in his kennel tonight when I get home and bring the cat in next to him. He doesn't even acknowledge the cat when she's in her cat carrier but I don't think she will be too fond of being in the same room as the dogs, even if they're kenneled. With her front claws gone she's gotten pretty good at using her back claws, as evident by the chunks of flesh missing from my chest and hands, lol. So I'm not really worried about the dogs hurting her I just want everyone to get along so I don't have to worry when I'm not there.

If there's any more advice, I'd appreciated it

Lady Sage · 12-26-2006, 05:13 PM

We have had a couple of dogs while having cats. The thing that worked best for us was to let them fight it out. The dog learned fast what NOT to do if they wanted to be pain free. A few claw slashed noses and bitten paws later they knew to avoid the cats.

Cruel, perhaps, but why mess with what works?

*Nikki* · 12-26-2006, 06:48 PM

I agree that you need to be extra careful being that the dog is a Shepherd. Also a lot of times animals are MORE aggressive when they are caged so bringing the cat close to the caged dog might not be the greatest idea.

I wish I had some good advice for you, but I have not really been in this particular situation before, so let us know what works!

StormBerlin · 12-27-2006, 02:29 PM

Well, I attempted to get the aquanted last night. I was armed with a huge towel that I held Kitty in but I don't think I really got anywhere. She wants absolutely nothing to do with the dogs. Hopefully they will just meet by chance at the gates that separate the kitchen area from the living area (the dogs aren't allowed on the carpet) and go from there. But the problem is her litter box is in the bathroom that is off the kitchen (the same general area the dogs occupy) and she pretty much just roams around upstairs while everyone is gone during the day and I'd like her to be able to go downstairs if she wants to go use the litter box. She's never had an accident but I feel bad she has to hold it all day because she wont go near those dogs.

Sage- So do you think I should just put them both in a room that won't allow Kitty to really hide anywhere and just let them have it out? That thought occured to me as well, but I'm afraid it might have the opposite effect and make her even more scared of the dogs. She doesn't have her front claws so the Shepherd might have the advantage if my cat has nowhere to hide.

Lady Sage · 12-27-2006, 04:54 PM

Naw, not in the same room but I let them all free in the house. They can hide but not forever. They have to all has out their pecking orders eventually no matter how you introduce them.

ratbastid · 12-27-2006, 07:20 PM

Not being on hand to supervise at least their initial meeting is a bad idea. Yes, they'll work it out for themselves, but you want to be there to stop anything that gets out of hand.

I once watched a greyhound--a very sweet, docile guy--crush the head of a chihuahua it was training next to. From zero conflict to dead dog was about two seconds. Literally, a dog gets taken over by its instinct to chase and hunt, and no amount of training or temperament can stop it ending in violence. Even if you ARE there, you'd be lucky to stop anything bad from happening, but you want to give your cat the best shot you can, right?

ZZTopper · 12-29-2006, 10:12 AM

my cat and dog got along, but when the dog died we got a new puppy. this dog is the most stupid animal i have even seen. whenever the cat and new dog are together the dog jumps at the cat, the cat punches the dog in the face.... and this happens for a couple hours or until i stop it.

12-26-2006, 08:55 AM	#1 (permalink)
StormBerlin Happy as a hippo Location: Southern California	Getting my cat used to the dogs in the house I just brought my kitty back from Utah and my boyfriend's house has a five year old German Shepherd and a puppy Dogo. My cat lived with my parents for about a year and they have a lab/chow and a Dachshund and they got along famously. I tried to get Kitty and Shane (the Shepherd) aquanted last night and it didn't go over well. She doesnt have any front claws so she had a nice little boxing match with the dog. He is really whiny around her and he has this ear peircing bark so I doubt that's helping. Is there an easier way to get the used to each other? I'm not too worried about the Dogo because he's a puppy. Any advice? Thanks I'll post more on my lunch, but I'm working right now so I don't have a ton of time. Thanks again. __________________ "if anal sex could get a girl pregnant i'd be tits deep in child support" Arcane

12-26-2006, 09:10 AM	#2 (permalink)
JustJess Unencapsulated Location: Kittyville	Are the dogs disciplined? Usually, the best thing is if they'll be passive and let the cat figure them out, and feel safe around them. You could have the dogs sleep on a particular blanket, and then have that blanket at home - to familiarize the cat with their scents. Most of the time, as long as the dogs don't chase the cats, the cats figure out very quickly how to get the dogs to do what they want. They generally work it out for themselves (at least, they always did in my house!). __________________ My heart knows me better than I know myself, so I'm gonna let it do all the talkin'.

12-26-2006, 03:14 PM	#4 (permalink)
StormBerlin Happy as a hippo Location: Southern California	Thanks so much Jess and ratbastid. I'll try the blanket thing tonight before bed. I think I'm going to swap out their blankets completely for a night and see if that helps at all. That article was really interesting as well... I think I might just put Shane in his kennel tonight when I get home and bring the cat in next to him. He doesn't even acknowledge the cat when she's in her cat carrier but I don't think she will be too fond of being in the same room as the dogs, even if they're kenneled. With her front claws gone she's gotten pretty good at using her back claws, as evident by the chunks of flesh missing from my chest and hands, lol. So I'm not really worried about the dogs hurting her I just want everyone to get along so I don't have to worry when I'm not there. If there's any more advice, I'd appreciated it __________________ "if anal sex could get a girl pregnant i'd be tits deep in child support" Arcane

12-26-2006, 05:13 PM	#5 (permalink)
Lady Sage Mistress of Mayhem Location: Canton, Ohio	We have had a couple of dogs while having cats. The thing that worked best for us was to let them fight it out. The dog learned fast what NOT to do if they wanted to be pain free. A few claw slashed noses and bitten paws later they knew to avoid the cats. Cruel, perhaps, but why mess with what works? __________________ If only closed minds came with closed mouths. Minds are like parachutes, they function best when open. It`s Easier to Change a Condom Than a Diaper Yes, the rumors are true... I actually AM a Witch.

12-27-2006, 02:29 PM	#7 (permalink)
StormBerlin Happy as a hippo Location: Southern California	Well, I attempted to get the aquanted last night. I was armed with a huge towel that I held Kitty in but I don't think I really got anywhere. She wants absolutely nothing to do with the dogs. Hopefully they will just meet by chance at the gates that separate the kitchen area from the living area (the dogs aren't allowed on the carpet) and go from there. But the problem is her litter box is in the bathroom that is off the kitchen (the same general area the dogs occupy) and she pretty much just roams around upstairs while everyone is gone during the day and I'd like her to be able to go downstairs if she wants to go use the litter box. She's never had an accident but I feel bad she has to hold it all day because she wont go near those dogs. Sage- So do you think I should just put them both in a room that won't allow Kitty to really hide anywhere and just let them have it out? That thought occured to me as well, but I'm afraid it might have the opposite effect and make her even more scared of the dogs. She doesn't have her front claws so the Shepherd might have the advantage if my cat has nowhere to hide. __________________ "if anal sex could get a girl pregnant i'd be tits deep in child support" Arcane

12-26-2006, 09:40 AM	#3 (permalink)
ratbastid Darth Papa Location: Yonder	Yeah, it's usually best to let them sort it out. In this case, though, with a declawed cat and a high prey/chase drive dog like a Shepherd, don't leave them unsupervised until you're SURE SURE SURE they're okay together. Never, ever forget: a Shepherd was bred to chase things, that's its whole purpose in life. Domestic cats get killed every single day by dogs that are bred to chase and hunt smaller animals--and that instinct can take over an otherwise sweet and docile dog in a flash, even when everything seems cool. And your cat's main defensive tool has been amputated. So be totally vigilant. See <a href="http://www.canismajor.com/dog/dogscats.html">this excellent article</a> on the subject over at <a href="http://www.canismajor.com/dog/index.html">Dog Owner's Guide</a>, a really fantastic resource for all things canine. Good luck!

12-26-2006, 06:48 PM	#6 (permalink)
Nikki ~~~~~~~ Location: Charleston, SC	I agree that you need to be extra careful being that the dog is a Shepherd. Also a lot of times animals are MORE aggressive when they are caged so bringing the cat close to the caged dog might not be the greatest idea. I wish I had some good advice for you, but I have not really been in this particular situation before, so let us know what works!

12-27-2006, 04:54 PM	#8 (permalink)
Lady Sage Mistress of Mayhem Location: Canton, Ohio	Naw, not in the same room but I let them all free in the house. They can hide but not forever. They have to all has out their pecking orders eventually no matter how you introduce them. __________________ If only closed minds came with closed mouths. Minds are like parachutes, they function best when open. It`s Easier to Change a Condom Than a Diaper Yes, the rumors are true... I actually AM a Witch.

12-27-2006, 07:20 PM	#9 (permalink)
ratbastid Darth Papa Location: Yonder	Not being on hand to supervise at least their initial meeting is a bad idea. Yes, they'll work it out for themselves, but you want to be there to stop anything that gets out of hand. I once watched a greyhound--a very sweet, docile guy--crush the head of a chihuahua it was training next to. From zero conflict to dead dog was about two seconds. Literally, a dog gets taken over by its instinct to chase and hunt, and no amount of training or temperament can stop it ending in violence. Even if you ARE there, you'd be lucky to stop anything bad from happening, but you want to give your cat the best shot you can, right?

12-29-2006, 10:12 AM	#10 (permalink)
ZZTopper Upright Location: The armpit of NY	my cat and dog got along, but when the dog died we got a new puppy. this dog is the most stupid animal i have even seen. whenever the cat and new dog are together the dog jumps at the cat, the cat punches the dog in the face.... and this happens for a couple hours or until i stop it. __________________ Notorious J.E.W.