Could my dog live with a cat?

Re: Could my dog live with a cat?

Claire Cameron — Sat, 18 Dec 2010 14:17:53 GMT

I have two terries and 4 cats...no problems here

Re: Could my dog live with a cat?

sarah rogers — Sat, 18 Dec 2010 13:05:39 GMT

hi, i have 2 terriers who chase cats, but i bought a kitten home a few years ago-whos 3 now and have had no problems with them- can leave them all in one room and they are fine.

Re: Could my dog live with a cat?

christinam — Fri, 17 Dec 2010 22:05:11 GMT

I think most dogs will chase a running cat, but a lot would also stand there looking stupid if they actually caught up!

I owned a red staffy (also called Jack ) years ago. He was a trained to fight other dogs and would attack a bit of rubbish on the floor if it blew in the wind. He also had numerous scars on his head and a fear of brushes/ brooms/ hoovers......

After we took him on and retrained him he lived with a small yorkie/ carin mix and cats.

This is him with a hand rear kitten

I have a picture of a kitten hanging off his ear somewhere!! They used to love jumping all over him!

Re: Could my dog live with a cat?

Anonymous — Fri, 17 Dec 2010 21:41:16 GMT

[quote user="Sally Roberts RVN, MBVNA"]

I have 3 staffordshire bull terriers together with 8 cats.I think its a bit harsh to assume that terriers will eat cats

Maya, my red bitch came in as a rescue, has never been in contact with cats until being with me. I put up dog gates on 2 doors. They had supervised meetings and now they all curl up on the sofa together.

Hercules and Gaia were brought up with cats and Hercules has helped rear many abandoned litters

[/quote]

who made that assumption? all dogs are at risk, not just one breed. at the end of the day they are animals and can not be fully controlled. as long as people keep that in mind and prepare themselves.

Re: Could my dog live with a cat?

Vicky RVN — Fri, 17 Dec 2010 20:35:27 GMT

Thanks everyone, great to hear all of the success stories x

Re: Could my dog live with a cat?

Anna Rayne — Fri, 17 Dec 2010 20:30:39 GMT

I have a border terrier who was just a year before I got my cat. He was an adult (18months ish) stray from work. The cat was on cage rest as he had leg injuries when he came in so I would take Isla into the cats room on a lead and do obedience stuff with her using treats to keep her calm gradually getting closer to cats crate. However cat was very relaxed about the whole thingm seemed to think watching was quite amusing and he got some of the treats too. Once he was off cage rest did the same thing with him loose in room. When she was let off lead with him start with i would make sure the door was left ajar just far enough for him to get through but not Isla if he wanted to get away - he used to sit the other side of the door and pat her on the nose!!!

Now they get on really well - they curl up together, wash each other - dog will bounce (gently) on cat if he's sharpening claws on the carpet- chase each other round the garden!! Cat never gets his claws out either when they mess around.

However I wouldn't trust her with any other cat as she seems to know the difference - they are fair game!

Re: Could my dog live with a cat?

Emma Bartlett — Fri, 17 Dec 2010 19:13:04 GMT

Yes i have rescue SBT and i have 2 rescue rottweilers all introduced to my adult rescue cats, all happy and we never have any problems. My parents have 3 cats and have introduced a stray adult SBT and a stray adult yorkie to the cats with no problems. I also agree that you can't brand all SBT's cat killers.

I used scent transfer on advice of vet behaviourist and the dogs and cats didn't meet for weeks but all happy and relaxed once they did

Re: Could my dog live with a cat?

emma sime — Fri, 17 Dec 2010 17:42:39 GMT

Hehe my daft springer is terrified of strange cats she meets! She absolutely adores my own cat (who was around from before flick was), the groom each other, fuss over each other, bed share etc. She was great with other ones until my friends kitten was quite mean to her and so she now thinks all strange cats are evil!!

I suppose its better than her wanting to harm them!

It may be an idea to go for a cat that is fine with dogs, not frightened of them - then go with the advice given by the other posters. You'll probably be pleasantly surprised!

Emmax

Re: Could my dog live with a cat?

Sally Howe — Fri, 17 Dec 2010 15:45:31 GMT

I have 3 staffordshire bull terriers together with 8 cats.I think its a bit harsh to assume that terriers will eat cats

Hercules and Gaia were brought up with cats and Hercules has helped rear many abandoned litters

Re: Could my dog live with a cat?

Anonymous — Fri, 17 Dec 2010 15:14:31 GMT

[quote user="Vicky SVN"]

How does everyone recommend introducing dogs and cats? Obv keep dog on lead to start with. Have kitty in a large crate to start with for the dog to get used to it? Have kitty in a spare bedroom while introductions are being done?

[/quote]

i would never trap the cat always give the cat the upper hand and put the dog in the crate. Also some dogs can be very aggressive on the lead so I don't think I would recommend that. Keep exit routes for cat always open and keep control of the dog as much as possible through command and as little restraint as possible. praise for good behaviour and just let them work it out. Obviously when you introduce a new cat to your home you should always do it gradually, one room at a time and leave the bedrooms if you can off limits as bedding can become soiled. But never crate the cat with the dog free, only crate the cat when the dog is not around if need be introduction to the home and not the dog. I think you would have more luck with a cat that is used to dogs or a kitten.

Re: Could my dog live with a cat?

Vicky RVN — Fri, 17 Dec 2010 14:55:40 GMT

Re: Could my dog live with a cat?

AlexB — Fri, 17 Dec 2010 14:33:15 GMT

I have a Miniature Schnauzer (2years old) who also has a terrier instinct. I was very worried about taking her home as I also had a cat (12years old) who has never lived with a dog. When we first brought the dog home, at 6months old, she did snap at the cat but we 'stepped in' and nipped it in the bud! They both live very happily and will play and snuggle on the same sofa/bed.

My dog is happy to still chase cats that come into the garden or birds in the field which means the character of her breed has not changed. She has learnt to live with my cat and her place in the family unit :-)

Hope this helps and you can take that lovely stray cat home

Re: Could my dog live with a cat?

Anonymous — Fri, 17 Dec 2010 13:29:21 GMT

I think the more realistic question you need to be asking yourself is... Will you be ok if your dog kills your cat? If you can answer yes to that then sure! your dog could live with a cat, but it may not be for very long or it could be forever.

Re: Could my dog live with a cat?

Katie Tallett RVN MBVNA — Fri, 17 Dec 2010 13:14:09 GMT

i think it depends very much on the cat, i have 2 dogs which were brought up with cats and couldn't care less until mine run and then they will chase them- the rest of the time they can be found snuggling up together or the cats will be pouncing on the dogs and attacking theior tails- the dogs couldn't care less at this!! if mine were scatty, the dogs would def try and chase them and i have a lab and a cocker so can't really blame instinct!!