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#1
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Need help with introducing cat to dog
I have a friend who "inherited" a cat when her brother passed away. The cat
is female, spayed, about 7 years old. My friend has never had a cat before; she currently has a 15 year old dachshund. My friend is trying to introduce the cat and the dog but is having some difficulty. She is keeping the cat separated from the dog and bringing them together under supervised conditions. But the dog, even though she is 15, becomes quite excited when she sees the cat which scares the cat. I told my friend that it is going to take time to acclimate the dog to the cat, but my friend is becoming quite discouraged and is thinking of taking the cat to a shelter. Does anyone have any ideas or suggestions on how to make this introduction go smoother? Thanks. S. |
#2
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"blkcatgal" wrote in message ... I have a friend who "inherited" a cat when her brother passed away. The cat is female, spayed, about 7 years old. My friend has never had a cat before; she currently has a 15 year old dachshund. My friend is trying to introduce the cat and the dog but is having some difficulty. She is keeping the cat separated from the dog and bringing them together under supervised conditions. But the dog, even though she is 15, becomes quite excited when she sees the cat which scares the cat. I told my friend that it is going to take time to acclimate the dog to the cat, but my friend is becoming quite discouraged and is thinking of taking the cat to a shelter. Does anyone have any ideas or suggestions on how to make this introduction go smoother? Thanks. Patience. Tell your friend to slow down and just leave the animals separated for a while. I assume she loved her brother and wants to keep his cat? If so, ask her to give it some time. If not, maybe she should hand the cat over to people who will find it a good home. |
#3
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"blkcatgal" wrote in message ... I have a friend who "inherited" a cat when her brother passed away. The cat is female, spayed, about 7 years old. My friend has never had a cat before; she currently has a 15 year old dachshund. My friend is trying to introduce the cat and the dog but is having some difficulty. She is keeping the cat separated from the dog and bringing them together under supervised conditions. But the dog, even though she is 15, becomes quite excited when she sees the cat which scares the cat. I told my friend that it is going to take time to acclimate the dog to the cat, but my friend is becoming quite discouraged and is thinking of taking the cat to a shelter. Does anyone have any ideas or suggestions on how to make this introduction go smoother? Thanks. Patience. Tell your friend to slow down and just leave the animals separated for a while. I assume she loved her brother and wants to keep his cat? If so, ask her to give it some time. If not, maybe she should hand the cat over to people who will find it a good home. |
#4
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Put a screen door on the room the cat is being kept in. This way both
animals can see each other and get used to each other's visual presence without having physical contact. Feeding them on either side of the door will also help them to associate good things with each other's presence. I hope you can dissuade your friend from giving up on this cat. These things take time and sending the cat to a shelter would be unconscionable. Here is more info from the cat care sciety you might find helpful: Dogs and cats who have not experienced each other will require some extra time to become accustomed to each other. Dogs usually want to chase and play with cats, and cats are usually afraid and defensive. You can use any of the techniques described in "Introducing a new cat to other cats." In addition: If your dog does not already know the commands "sit," "down," "come," and "stay," you should begin working on them. Little tidbits of food increase your dog's motivation to perform, which will be necessary in the presence of such a strong distraction as a new cat. Even if your dog already knows the commands, work with obeying commands in return for a tidbit. After the animals have become comfortable eating on either side of the door, and have been exposed to each other's scents as described on the other side, you can attempt a face to face introduction in a controlled manner. Put your dog's leash on, and command him to either "sit" or "down" and "stay," using food tidbits. Have another family member enter the room and quietly sit down with the cat on his or her lap. The cat should also be offered some special tidbits. At first, the cat and dog should be on OPPOSITE sides of the room. Repeat this step several times until both the cat and dog are tolerating each other without fear, aggression, or other uncontrollable behavior. Next, move the animals a little closer together, with the dog still on a leash and the cat gently held in a lap. If the cat does not like to be held, you can use a wire crate or carrier instead. If the dog gets up from its "stay" position, it should be firmly repositioned, and praised and rewarded for obeying the "stay" command. If the cat becomes frightened, increase the distance between the animals and progress more slowly. Eventually, the animals should be brought close enough together to allow them to investigate each other. Although your dog must be taught that chasing or being rough with the cat is unacceptable behavior, your dog must also be taught how to behave appropriately, and be rewarded for doing so (e.g. sitting, coming when called, or lying down in return for a tidbit). If your dog is always punished whenever the cat is around, and never has "good things" happen in the cat's presence, your dog may redirect aggression toward the cat. You may want to keep your dog on a leash and with you when the cat is free in the house during the introduction process. Be sure that your cat has an escape route, and a place to hide. Keep the dog and cat separated when you aren't home until you are certain they will both be safe. Precautions: Dogs like to eat cat food because it is very high in protein, and therefore very tasty. Keep cat food out of the dog's reach (in a closet, on a high shelf, etc.). Why dogs like to eat cat feces is not well understood but it is a relatively common behavior. Although there are no health hazards to the dog from this habit, it is usually distasteful to the owners. Attempts to keep the dog out of the litter box by "booby trapping" will also keep the cat away as well. Punishment after the fact will NOT change the dog's behavior. Probably the best solution is to place the litter box where the dog cannot access it such as behind a baby gate, or in a closet with the door anchored open (from both sides)just wide enough for the cat. Always feed your dog alone. Cats should not eat dog food as it may cause dietary deficiencies. Megan "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." -Edmund Burke Learn The TRUTH About Declawing http://www.stopdeclaw.com Zuzu's Cats Photo Album: http://www.PictureTrail.com/zuzu22 "Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then providence moves too. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one's favor all manner of unforeseen incidents, meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamt would have come his way." - W.H. Murray |
#5
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Put a screen door on the room the cat is being kept in. This way both
animals can see each other and get used to each other's visual presence without having physical contact. Feeding them on either side of the door will also help them to associate good things with each other's presence. I hope you can dissuade your friend from giving up on this cat. These things take time and sending the cat to a shelter would be unconscionable. Here is more info from the cat care sciety you might find helpful: Dogs and cats who have not experienced each other will require some extra time to become accustomed to each other. Dogs usually want to chase and play with cats, and cats are usually afraid and defensive. You can use any of the techniques described in "Introducing a new cat to other cats." In addition: If your dog does not already know the commands "sit," "down," "come," and "stay," you should begin working on them. Little tidbits of food increase your dog's motivation to perform, which will be necessary in the presence of such a strong distraction as a new cat. Even if your dog already knows the commands, work with obeying commands in return for a tidbit. After the animals have become comfortable eating on either side of the door, and have been exposed to each other's scents as described on the other side, you can attempt a face to face introduction in a controlled manner. Put your dog's leash on, and command him to either "sit" or "down" and "stay," using food tidbits. Have another family member enter the room and quietly sit down with the cat on his or her lap. The cat should also be offered some special tidbits. At first, the cat and dog should be on OPPOSITE sides of the room. Repeat this step several times until both the cat and dog are tolerating each other without fear, aggression, or other uncontrollable behavior. Next, move the animals a little closer together, with the dog still on a leash and the cat gently held in a lap. If the cat does not like to be held, you can use a wire crate or carrier instead. If the dog gets up from its "stay" position, it should be firmly repositioned, and praised and rewarded for obeying the "stay" command. If the cat becomes frightened, increase the distance between the animals and progress more slowly. Eventually, the animals should be brought close enough together to allow them to investigate each other. Although your dog must be taught that chasing or being rough with the cat is unacceptable behavior, your dog must also be taught how to behave appropriately, and be rewarded for doing so (e.g. sitting, coming when called, or lying down in return for a tidbit). If your dog is always punished whenever the cat is around, and never has "good things" happen in the cat's presence, your dog may redirect aggression toward the cat. You may want to keep your dog on a leash and with you when the cat is free in the house during the introduction process. Be sure that your cat has an escape route, and a place to hide. Keep the dog and cat separated when you aren't home until you are certain they will both be safe. Precautions: Dogs like to eat cat food because it is very high in protein, and therefore very tasty. Keep cat food out of the dog's reach (in a closet, on a high shelf, etc.). Why dogs like to eat cat feces is not well understood but it is a relatively common behavior. Although there are no health hazards to the dog from this habit, it is usually distasteful to the owners. Attempts to keep the dog out of the litter box by "booby trapping" will also keep the cat away as well. Punishment after the fact will NOT change the dog's behavior. Probably the best solution is to place the litter box where the dog cannot access it such as behind a baby gate, or in a closet with the door anchored open (from both sides)just wide enough for the cat. Always feed your dog alone. Cats should not eat dog food as it may cause dietary deficiencies. Megan "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." -Edmund Burke Learn The TRUTH About Declawing http://www.stopdeclaw.com Zuzu's Cats Photo Album: http://www.PictureTrail.com/zuzu22 "Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation), there is one elementary truth the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then providence moves too. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one's favor all manner of unforeseen incidents, meetings and material assistance, which no man could have dreamt would have come his way." - W.H. Murray |
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