I need help. We have just adopted a new kitten. (actually she adopted us... someone left a litter of kittens on my street and this one kind of found us)... Problem being- we have an AWESOME pit/shephard mix that is spoiled to peices. The kitten came in the house last night. There was a little encounter between the kitten and dog and my fiance got stuck in the middle of it and got scratched up. The kitten wasn't doing this viciously, she was just trying to get away from this 80 pound peice of muscle. So this morning I let my dog out and put the cat in the dogs cage. I put the dog on a leash and let them interact through the cage. they seemed ok. Then I brought the dog into the living room and she could not take her mind off the damn cat. I tried to have them interact again but my dog was just too excited. I let the dog outside and did a switcheroo and when i let my dog in she barked for 50 minutes straight in the cage. Of course the cat went under the reclining chair. She has stayed there and is sleeping peacefully. During this time I was crying. Clearly my dog is digressing and not happy or is just plain excited. I am not sure which one. Sometimes I think she is excited, other times I think she wants to pounce on the cat. I am not expecting them to get along right away. I was crying not for the cat, but because I feel like I am stressing out my dog. I don’t know what to do to calm her down. This has helped me realize that we need to work with our dog more because it scares me that we are bringing this little cat in and it is getting her anxious and I worry about bringing a baby into the picture later on. We do spoil her and she does have the run of the house so I didn’t expect her to be over joyed with this new addition. The dog comes before the cat without a question. I think she is a great dog and I think she can be an amazing dog with some hard work. I feel right now that I am being a mean mom by bringing this new critter into her space. I was never a cat person and I think that’s because any cat I ever came across was not friendly. This cat is sweet and innocent and playful and cuddly. I want to give her a chance purely for the fact i need to get my dog under control either way- whether the cat is here or not. My dog is not vicious, she is not growling or anything. Do you think I should give this a chance or get rid of the kitty? I am tossed because either way I need to work with my dog behaviorly. Please help!!!
LaurenluvsTJ
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Re: Pet Help cat vs. dog
I think you know what the problem is- you need to get your dog under control. You should never let your dog have run of the house - remember you are the owner - he doesn't own you. They will get used to each other - but you need to put the dog in its place. The cat doesn't seem to be the problem here - so why would you contemplate getting rid of it?
Tatum&Steve
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Re: Pet Help cat vs. dog
awwwwwwwwwww, I really feel your pain! Recently I found a kitten (pic in album). Over much debate, we decided to keep her. I AM A HUGE CAT LOVER but suggested not keeping it because I already have two cats at my apartment, but FH wanted to keep this cat at his house. Everyone was shocked that I didn't want to keep it! I REALLY wanted to keep her but I knew it wasn't the right time.... I was in tears debating this for days..keep the cat..don't keep it...I was TORN becaue I know that when we move in, it will not be pretty...but FH didn't want to listen, and we will both pay the price soon! But of course I LOVE HER TO PIECES NOW!
So - I suggest that just give it time, they will learn to get along...my two cats that I have at my apartment HATED each other at first, but now they are sisters...AND also growing up, we had to live with my brothers dog for a while..they dealt! And this kitten may be a good lesson for your dog, it could improve his behavior for when you are ready to have a baby.
SO my lesson learned - NEVER APPROACH ANOTHER STRAY AGAIN!
AMGBride2008
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Re: Pet Help cat vs. dog
You may want to take something that the cat may have been playing with or laying on and give it to the dog so the dog can get used to the cat. After that, keep doing what you're doing, slowly introducing the cat into the house. But I totally agree with one of the other posts... you need to get your dog under control and have you realize that you are the boss... not the other way around. You can still spoil her to death but make sure she knows who's in charge. Good luck! And be patient, it may take some time
Trishthedish
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Re: Pet Help cat vs. dog
First off, is this cat a stray? If so, have you taken her to the vet yet? You really should not allow an animal that has not been tested for any feline diseases to be around your dog. I have had 2 cats and a dog together in the past. The dog is probably very much excited and intersted in the cat. Of course, when I got my dog I already had a cat. After my dog was about 3 or 4 years old though I did bring another cat home besides the dog and cat I already owned.
You really just need to give them time together. What I would do is call the vet and make an appt. to get the cat tested for feline leukemia and FIV (cat version of aids). Most likely the cat does not have this but it is a good decision to get all this done. Meanwhile you are at the vet, I would then ask or even call them and ask them what is the best way to get the cat and dog acclimated with each other.
Don't give up. It will take some time for them to get used to each other but that is to be expected. I am a huge animal lover (dogs and cats). I own 3 cats myself and when i brought home the 2nd and 3rd cat, even they did not get along. In time, it will work out.
I definitely suggest calling the vet though to ask them their opinion of putting the cat and dog together and inquiring about shots.
Good luck.
metmymatch
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Re: Pet Help cat vs. dog
first, i completely agree with getting the lil' kitty to a vet asap. it needs to be tested for feline diseases and given vaccinations. esp if you have other animals.
second, having adopted kitties myself i can completely understand why the two animals are freaking out. it is highly recommended when you adopt a kitten/cat to bring it home and put it in a room. if the kitty is small/young, you'll want to put him in a smaller room. this is to help them feel comfortable and make it easier for them to adjust in their space. in addition, it allows other animals to get used to the other behind protective barriers. some people recommend keeping the new kitten/cat in this kind of situation for a week or two.
you have to keep in mind that spoiled or not, controlled or not, your dog sees this kitten as a threat to his/her territory. this is his/her space. you also have a stray cat that is being brought into a new environment and is probably FREAKING out. to make matters worse, dogs and cats are very different creatures, have different mentalities and ways of communicating. your dog not only sees kitty as a threat but senses the poor thing's fear and that is agitating your dog.
imho, put the cat in a separate room with some toys, cat bed, food water and close the door. oh, and obviously go in there to spend time with him/her throughout the day/nite. let your dog freak out. eventually he/she will get used to the fact that there is another animal in the house and will get used to the cat's smell. and the cat will get used to the knowledge that there is another animal in the house and used to the dog's smell. this may take a few days or a week or two weeks. once the aggrevated state subsides, try the cage trick again - although i would recommend getting the cat it's own cage (that whole territory thing). start off with by bringing the cat out in the cage and letting them meet for a few minutes. be sure one of you holds on to the dog and disipline him anytime he starts getting agitated. try to keep him/her sitting and calm. don't let him/her be loose b/c he/she will take that as a cue to run up to the cage and do whatever he/she wants (bark, paw at it) - which is not only not what you wnat, but will freak out the cat and you'll be back at square one. slowly increase the amount of time the two of them are in the same room (with cat in cage). eventually, move to supervised out of cage interactions. and then, before you know it, you should be able to let them hang out.
good luck!!!
BlondeJD
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Re: Pet Help cat vs. dog
I've had to introduce animals to each other before and what every vet I've gone to recommends is that you keep the animals completely separate for at least a week, up to two weeks. So, have the cat in your bedroom (for example) and the dog in the livingroom. After a few days, switch them, so they can get used to each other's scent. After the week (or two), try re-introducing them like you did - with your dog on a leash at first. It should go more smoothly
Trishthedish
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Member since
Re: Pet Help cat vs. dog
Posted by metmymatch
first, i completely agree with getting the lil' kitty to a vet asap. it needs to be tested for feline diseases and given vaccinations. esp if you have other animals.
second, having adopted kitties myself i can completely understand why the two animals are freaking out. it is highly recommended when you adopt a kitten/cat to bring it home and put it in a room. if the kitty is small/young, you'll want to put him in a smaller room. this is to help them feel comfortable and make it easier for them to adjust in their space. in addition, it allows other animals to get used to the other behind protective barriers. some people recommend keeping the new kitten/cat in this kind of situation for a week or two.
you have to keep in mind that spoiled or not, controlled or not, your dog sees this kitten as a threat to his/her territory. this is his/her space. you also have a stray cat that is being brought into a new environment and is probably FREAKING out. to make matters worse, dogs and cats are very different creatures, have different mentalities and ways of communicating. your dog not only sees kitty as a threat but senses the poor thing's fear and that is agitating your dog.
imho, put the cat in a separate room with some toys, cat bed, food water and close the door. oh, and obviously go in there to spend time with him/her throughout the day/nite. let your dog freak out. eventually he/she will get used to the fact that there is another animal in the house and will get used to the cat's smell. and the cat will get used to the knowledge that there is another animal in the house and used to the dog's smell. this may take a few days or a week or two weeks. once the aggrevated state subsides, try the cage trick again - although i would recommend getting the cat it's own cage (that whole territory thing). start off with by bringing the cat out in the cage and letting them meet for a few minutes. be sure one of you holds on to the dog and disipline him anytime he starts getting agitated. try to keep him/her sitting and calm. don't let him/her be loose b/c he/she will take that as a cue to run up to the cage and do whatever he/she wants (bark, paw at it) - which is not only not what you wnat, but will freak out the cat and you'll be back at square one. slowly increase the amount of time the two of them are in the same room (with cat in cage). eventually, move to supervised out of cage interactions. and then, before you know it, you should be able to let them hang out.
good luck!!!
Well said... I agree..
Calimali
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Re: Pet Help cat vs. dog
Dog seems to run the house... He sees the cat as a threat. Watch the show the dog whisper (ceaser Milan) and read his books!!! Hes on channel 162! He always has GREAT advice on this topic... good luck! Keep us updated
Mrs.B7607
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Re: Pet Help cat vs. dog
Hi. I understand this can be very stressful for everyone in the household. I have personally bought in 3 rescue cats and introduced them to my dog, So I can say I understand what yo are going through. First - Cat CANNOT transmit any dieases to dogs. Please don't get stress about that. I know that information for a fact, however the kitten should be taken to the vet regardless to get her general health assesed. Second - you need to understand that time is the key. You cannot force animals to get along or to like eachother. My best advice in this situation is to put the the dog in his crate ( behind a babygate) and let your kitten (who is the scared one) go up at her own time and sniff and get used to the dog. Please, do not force the kitten to go near the dog or visa versa because you will cause more harm than good. you should designate one room that is the 'cat room', where all of her stuff is ( food bowl, litter box) and also her safe spot. Do Not leave the animals alone together until you are CERTAIN that they like eachother or you can come home to a very unfortunate scene. Understand that animals need time to adjust. Your dog will most likely get bored with the kitten after a while and your kitten will start to realize that she can hide in places the dog can never get into. They will work it out on their own. One of my cats loves my dogs and the other hates him. Not a big deal, if the animals do not like eachother they will ignore eachother and they will stay out of eachothers way. Don't get distressed, just be patient.
By the way - never put the kitten in the dogs cage again. That is the dogs cage and you are just confusing him and giveng him a reason to feel threaten. Overall I think your dog is just excited. Talk to your vet, he might be able to help you as well.
TurboGirl
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Re: Pet Help cat vs. dog
I understand what you are going through. My situation was reversed. We got a new puppy and the cat hated her. She would hiss and growel at the dog. They learn how to deal with it after awile. My dog is now 3 years old and they sleep next to each other now. The cat give the dog kisses and visa versa. They just have to get used to being around each other. Give it some time and see how it goes. But I do agree with Mrs. B7607 don't put the cat in the dog cage cause that cage is the dogs domaine and should only be the dogs. Good luck.
