My cats are 3 and 8 years old, about 17 pounds each (huge). I have a 3 month old Lab who wants to play with them so bad, but they hiss and smack him. I put caps on their claws so they don't hurt him. They are okay being in the same room together, but I would like them to be able to play together. How can I help the kitties understand that puppy is not a threat?
2006-06-26 08:20:29 · 16 answers · asked by drumrchick 3 in Pets ➔ Cats
Getting rid of the cats is not an option! We will just supervise them if they can't get along. The cats mostly try to stay out of the dog's way for now. I do not let him chase the cats or bark at them (he doesn't do this often anyway).
2006-06-26 09:09:39 · update #1
A puppy is a big adjustment. Puppies are energetic, and your kitties are probably pretty laid back and comfortable (at 17 pounds each, they should be!).
They'll adjust to him, but watch the claws. We've treated puppies with some nasty cat injuries. They may never play together, but at least you'll eventually get them to peacefully retreat to a respectable distance without hurting eachother.
2006-06-26 10:57:12 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
They will get used to it by the time. It's natural for them to not like each other. I know a woman that haves 3 cats and 1 lab dog and they' ve together for 3 years and they play with each other like friends. At first they wouldn't get along but now they do.
2006-06-26 08:52:53 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
They might never get totally used to having a dog around. It's good that they can be in the same room together, but you can't make them play with the puppy. Hopefully with time they will grow more comfortable with him.
p.s. don't listen to those people telling you to get rid of the cats!
2006-06-26 08:43:45 · answer #3 · answered by Lee 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i don't know if they will get along perfectly together.. but they can learn to tolerate each others differences.... i have a new puppy i've had for about 6 weeks.. and my cat and him don't get a long well at all..
my best bet is to try and stop the puppy from bothering the cats to much.. and then they'll learn he's not a big threat
2006-06-26 08:47:45 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Good luck with that. My cat and dog like each other. But we got the cat very young. The dog just looks down on the cat. To the dog the cat is beneath her.
2006-06-26 08:27:15 · answer #5 · answered by jaa9636 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The cats have to get used to the puppy on their own time.
I had three cats, two of them would play with the dog, the other never did.
Cats are finicky and very independent. It is up to them when they will play with the dog, or maybe never.
2006-06-26 08:31:43 · answer #6 · answered by shartomc 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i would ignore trex's answer, it is possible, but if your cat's are that old, it will be difficult to get them to like the playful puppy.
try getting the puppy to be calm around the cats, then try to put the cat's as close as you can hold them to the dog, without scratching the crap out of you. do this once a day, and when they are used to him, try to keep them together and get them more used to each other
2006-06-26 08:28:17 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Good luck. Usually cats that old are set on their ways and if they don't like dogs, chances are that they will just ignore the dog and go their own way.
2006-06-26 08:25:45 · answer #8 · answered by Ticki 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Its only easy when you have them together as baby's but your cats are big if you willing to go through the challenge its going to be a long time before they adapt to your new pup.they probably kill that pup or really hurt it I did that before and my cat scar's my dog for life so give one of them up.
2006-06-26 08:33:35 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I had the same problem and actually ended up getting rid of our cats. It was sad.
2006-06-26 08:24:05 · answer #10 · answered by svanwychen 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋