Mature Dog + New Kitten
Discussion
When we met in 2014 my wife had a 10 year old tabby & 4 year old Border Terrier, they obviously met when dog was a pup & they loved each other. In previous lives I’ve had dogs & cats too (I don’t mean reincarnation on my part)
In mid 2021 tabby dies at a good age. Wife has long time wish for a British Blue, so we locate one nearby and collected it on Sunday. It is nearly 4 months old and much more developed than any kitten I’ve previously ‘obtained’.
The cats reaction to the dog is far more extreme than we expected, lots of hissing & is out right aggressive, the dog does nothing, but being a terrier we know her natural tendencies so we are wary of just letting them sort it out. The cat is fine with humans, very approachable & affectionate.
What was intended to be pleasurable is a real trial. Currently cat lives in lounge & dog has run of the rest of ground floor. Dog not allowed upstairs, as tabby had that area as her sanctuary although she seldom went there.
Has anyone been through this experience & able to share tips on how to achieve household harmony, I’m already fed up with remembering to shut various doors & before long one of us will lapse.
For more context we are late 50’s, wife is home mostly, children all grown up & flown nest.
In mid 2021 tabby dies at a good age. Wife has long time wish for a British Blue, so we locate one nearby and collected it on Sunday. It is nearly 4 months old and much more developed than any kitten I’ve previously ‘obtained’.
The cats reaction to the dog is far more extreme than we expected, lots of hissing & is out right aggressive, the dog does nothing, but being a terrier we know her natural tendencies so we are wary of just letting them sort it out. The cat is fine with humans, very approachable & affectionate.
What was intended to be pleasurable is a real trial. Currently cat lives in lounge & dog has run of the rest of ground floor. Dog not allowed upstairs, as tabby had that area as her sanctuary although she seldom went there.
Has anyone been through this experience & able to share tips on how to achieve household harmony, I’m already fed up with remembering to shut various doors & before long one of us will lapse.
For more context we are late 50’s, wife is home mostly, children all grown up & flown nest.
Time. And patience.
The cat will eventually realise the dog isn't a threat. But at the moment they are natural enemies.
I would suggest a gentle introduction of them in the same room, and obviously you there too. Make a lot of fuss of both of them. Gradually increase the time. They will work it out. The cat will be in charge and the dog will be wary of the prickly thing!
The cat will eventually realise the dog isn't a threat. But at the moment they are natural enemies.
I would suggest a gentle introduction of them in the same room, and obviously you there too. Make a lot of fuss of both of them. Gradually increase the time. They will work it out. The cat will be in charge and the dog will be wary of the prickly thing!
I'd echo that. I have two big Golden Retrievers. We have had a variety of kittens introduced. They all start off hissing, arching their backs and generally being threatened. The kitten then works out it can bully the dogs - they will wander off if the cat approaches their space. Our dogs are super chilled though.
N111BJG said:
megamaniac said:
You could put the dog in a crate so they can get accustomed to each other without danger.
I guess, but as we don’t have a dog crate so not the easiest option for now, thanks Just lots of time and patience.
When I met my partner we had to work this out as I've got a large Rottweiler (62kg) and she had a collie and a cat. The Collie and the Rottweiler immediately got on and the Rottweiler loves the cat but the cat was understandably scared to start with. The Rottweiler had a tendency to follow the cat around but not chase so we had to put a stop to that and the cat quickly realised the Rottweiler was no threat but we did supervise them together at all times for a while.
In fact the Rottweiler will chase any other cats or foxes out of the garden if the cat is there and will actively protect the cat. If the cat isn't in the garden, the Rottweiler just leaves any other cats or foxes to be, he's really very relaxed unless he feels he needs to protect a member of the family.
Agree with what has been said above.
2 years ago I got a 1 year old rescue Sphynx and bought him home with my wife's 11 year old Springer.
Initially there was a lot of hissing and woofing.
After a few days, the dog stayed on his blanket and the cat gave him a wide berth.
After a few weeks the cat and dog grew used to each other - now they are almost inseparable !
2 years ago I got a 1 year old rescue Sphynx and bought him home with my wife's 11 year old Springer.
Initially there was a lot of hissing and woofing.
After a few days, the dog stayed on his blanket and the cat gave him a wide berth.
After a few weeks the cat and dog grew used to each other - now they are almost inseparable !
So its day 15, over the past week we have been allowing them each to use the same spaces but separately so they were fully aware of each other’s existence and scent.
Over the weekend doors were opened & after some initial half hearted faint hissing they now treat each other with ambivalence, which is fine by us. Cat is very happy & confident, dog couldn’t care less except when cat pinches her favourite chair.
So yes patience was the answer
Over the weekend doors were opened & after some initial half hearted faint hissing they now treat each other with ambivalence, which is fine by us. Cat is very happy & confident, dog couldn’t care less except when cat pinches her favourite chair.
So yes patience was the answer
k me that kitten got big fast!'Gassing Station | All Creatures Great & Small | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff