my cat hates my new dog?

Question

I recently became engaged and my fiance has a dog and I have two cats. We are trying to bring the dog around the cats so that they can get use to each other before they live together. My cats have previously lived w/ two other dogs and they have always gotten along very well w/ dogs so I didn't think it would be a problem. Boy was I wrong for some reason one of my cats hates the new dog. He has never acted this way around any other dogs before. My cat charges at the dog, and continually growls and hisses at the dog. Its a little strange and I wanted to know if anyone knows why my cat dislikes this one particular dog.

I would appreciate any advice! Thanks so much :)

Answer 1

Why do cats like or dislike anything! The feline mind is a mystery to us.

There are a couple of reasons why your cat might hate this dog.

Just like with humans, cats sometimes hate a particular person/other cat/dog for no reason whatsoever. There is just something about them that the cat just doesn't like.

The cat is protective. A strange dog in the picture could present a danger...in the cat's mind...to you or himself. He sees more of a threat in this dog than the other, so reacts accordingly.

Jealousy. A little bit different than above, but sort of the same situation.

Give it time. They will adjust to each other, and while they may not cuddle up to each other at night, they will learn to tolorate the other.

Answer 2

It sounds like a territorial case. The cat sounds as if he / she is trying to set the boundaries. Whose house is it? It sounds like the cat may just be trying to let the dog know that the cat's in charge. Once the cat has set down the rules, I am pretty sure it will no longer charge after the dog unless provoked. The reason I posed the question as to whether it was your house or your fiance's house, was to distinguish the differences posed on the cat. If the dog is being introduced to your house, then the cat was there first and already has his / her spots that it goes to for privacy. If you are bringing your cat over now to your fiance's house, the cat is being introduced to a new environment - with a strange dog there. Since you indicated that your cat lived with two other dogs before and got along well, I see no reason why this will not be the case for the cat and the new dog once they get a chance to know each other and know what boundaries they must observe to live under the same roof.

Answer 3

I had the same situation happen to me. When I first met my husband he had a dog and I had six cats. At first there was alot of hissing and spitting and covert attacks. The cats that don't like the dog usually just avoid her. However, there is one cat that consistantly challenges the dog everytime she moves. This particular cat is an older female. It might just be a jealousy issue. I know that when my husband spends time with the cats the dog will try to get the cat to leave. The dog gets on the bed at night and the cats chase her out. Give it a little time maybe the cats and/or dog feel the territory is being invaded and they just need time to adjust. Good luck.

Answer 4

It sounds like your cat is trying to assert his dominance!

They'll adjust, but it may actually take them living under the same roof to complete the adjustment. They need to adjust to everyone's routine, but give it time and it'll happen.

Answer 5

I think your cats have spent too much time without the previous dogs. It takes time. Weeks...months...but they will adjust.
Don't force them together. Let them have space. Don't dwell..Animals adjust at their own pace.

Answer 6

things like this take time, and lots of it. Have patience, expect lots growling, and remember that cats and dogs are individuals.

Answer 7

our cats were like that when we got a puppy.....sometimes they still try to attack him....but they've grown used to him. mostly they try to ignore him now.