Introducing a cat to a dog 88 Responses

Last post: 3 months, 2 weeks ago | Thread started: Aug 20, 08, 2:26 a.m.

RespondNew TopicDisable Images

• toe_knee

  My girlfriend has been estering me about getting a cat. It looks like she is going to get her way (as they always do)

  Problem is, I have a 7 year old German Shepherd who always chases cats on the street.

  Anyone got any ideas on how to introduce them and to get them to get along? He has never lived with another animal and pretty much has the run of the house.

  Aug 20, 08, 2:26 a.m. – Permalink

• Georges

  you need:
  a cage, a soundproof room and plastic gloves.

  get the cat and dog inside the cage then wait, I swear they'll bound

  • forgot the burlap sack, a Barry White cd and a bottle of XO– PeterH1/3

    Yeah there bond real well, until the cat head comes OFF.– roundabout2/3

    hmm, then you're not adding enough XO. Try some scotch, or tequila, then shake burlap sack until desired result– PeterH3/3

  

  You must be logged in to add a note. Login now or register for an account.

  Cancel

  Dog-earAug 20, 08, 2:27 a.m. – Permalink

• sea_sea

  well, it will depend on the age of the cat as well. i recently found a kitten, i have a lab mix. at first the kitten was freaked out, all my dog wanted to do was play. so i kept the dog separated from the cat for a while so the kitty could get a feel for the grounds. feel safe to run around.

  now they are hanging out and the dog licks the cat and visa versa. funny as heck. the dog will still run after the kitty but not as much.

  i suggest supervise them at all times, especially at the beggining. to make sure the dog knows you are bringing in the cat, he's not some street cat, let him know this ones stayin. spend some one on one (no dog in the house) time reassuring the cat as well. this way the cat will get to know the place and will know where to go if it needs time alone.

  this has worked for me so far. i'm actually bringing in a small new puppy in a few weeks. we'll see how that goes.
  be careful, cats will scratch dogs pretty bad if your not cautious.
  good luck! :)

  • this sounds like the plan– toe_knee

  

  You must be logged in to add a note. Login now or register for an account.

  Cancel

  Dog-earAug 20, 08, 2:42 a.m. – Permalink

• blaw

  I would try a stepped approach. With the cat in a crate, let the dog sniff around, then that's it for that day's session. A few times with this and then the dog in a crate with the cat visibly walking free and maybe you holding the cat in the same room while the dog is free. Give him lots of opportunities to learn to the cat is off limits.

  It'll likely take a bit longer that you're thinking, but some level of equilibrium will be reached.

  *Once we introduced a new dog to our house and one of the cats refused to come downstairs for several years. It not like you can make them enjoy each other.

  • yeah, i brought a puppy once and my adored cat freaked out and left me forever! serious, i saw it a block away called it it responded, but it refused to come back :( so yes step process.– sea_sea1/4

    responded, but it refused to come back :( so yes step process.– sea_sea2/4

    Wow! And I thought a three year sequestering was bad. At least she didn't bail. That's a crazy story, sea_sea.– blaw3/4

    thats why i hate cats– toe_knee4/4

  

  You must be logged in to add a note. Login now or register for an account.

  Cancel

  Dog-earAug 20, 08, 2:46 a.m. – Permalink

• moamoa

  

  

  You must be logged in to add a note. Login now or register for an account.

  Cancel

  Dog-earAug 20, 08, 2:55 a.m. – Permalink

• detritus

  New girlfriend.

  • haha– monoboy1/3

    she told me to tell you you're an asshole .. haha– toe_knee2/3

    is it because he hasn't called? ;)– OSFA3/3

  

  You must be logged in to add a note. Login now or register for an account.

  Cancel

  Dog-earAug 20, 08, 4:31 a.m. – Permalink

• toe_knee

  thanks guys, good tips.

  

  You must be logged in to add a note. Login now or register for an account.

  Cancel

  Dog-earAug 20, 08, 6:46 a.m. – Permalink

• OSFA

  Nice business cards?

  

  You must be logged in to add a note. Login now or register for an account.

  Cancel

  Dog-earAug 20, 08, 6:57 a.m. – Permalink

• Shepstar15

  Well my dog would just kill the cat, he hates them. My girlfriend would also love a cat, but that would just not work out.

  So no cat.

  

  You must be logged in to add a note. Login now or register for an account.

  Cancel

  Dog-earAug 20, 08, 7:15 a.m. – Permalink