My 9 year old cat is bumming. We are fostering with intent to adopt a rescue dog, about the same size as the cat, and we;ve only had the dog for about 5 days. But my usually fearless and outgoing, playful cat has become jumpy, and is lickng more than usual, appears to be refusing to pee or poop, and seems generally depressed and annoyed. She is eating, but her food is in a different place and she keeps going back to her old place to eat. I don't want to give the dog back, but I also want my cat to go back to being her happy self. What should I do?
2006-07-26 09:38:44 · 15 answers · asked by royanab 1 in Pets ➔ Cats
One more point: everyone sleeps in the same room at night, but the dog isn't allowed on the bed, because it's the cat's territory. Should I sleep in the guestroom with the cat instead? Thanks!
2006-07-26 10:41:50 · update #1
I had similar "problem". My cat was very scared at first. So my piece of advice is at first sepearte the cat from the dog, I mean don't let the dog to be in the cat's territory where the cat eats and sleeps. But do allow them to meet occasionally with time the cat would get used to the dog.
That was my case. My dog was very young one, probably 3-4 months old and it was very happy when it was seeing the cat. I hope this would work
2006-07-26 09:45:16 · answer #1 · answered by galinredo 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
My boyfriend's cat is about 11 years old. Just after I moved in, I was offered a mini pin; it was a spur of the moment decision, but I brought him home. He kept running up to the cat and growling and then running away. He just couldn't understand why she didn't want to play with him. We had to move our cat's food too. We ended up putting it on the table. The dog understands that he is not allowed up there. Then I would put the cat on the table so she could see where her food was. We also put a bowl of food on the dresser in the bedroom so she has two choices where to eat. The animals have gotten used to each other. They will probably never be best friends but they each know their place. If the dog bugs the cat too much, she does gives him a good whack on the nose.
We have an outside kitty too and she is larger than the dog. She will sit out on the lawn furniture and Jojo will run circles around the cat. Most of the time, she just ignores him, but sometimes she will chase him, which he loves!
So, just give the pets a chance, and they will work it out.
2006-08-02 19:52:25 · answer #2 · answered by runningviolin 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It'll take the cat a good few weeks to adjust. Think about if it were a 9-year-old child and you just brought a baby or foster child into the home. It'd take longer than 5 days, and that's with a child that you can talk to and reason with. I guess you can reason with the cat if you want, but she'll probably just look at you like you're stupid.
Her happy old self will come back in a couple weeks, as she gets less fearful and nervous, and starts to see that the dog is not a replacement for her. Try locking the dog out of the room while playing with her, so she doesn't have the distraction and nervousness. Have a couple toys you only use with her like that, so they don't smell like dog. Be sure she has her own place to eat, drink, and sleep, as it sounds like you've done.
Also, she is probably squatting somewhere, but not in her box. That seems to be the first thing cats do to express anger... and you'll figure out where at some point, when you either smell it or step in it, unfortunately. Mine likes to go on the bathroom rug in the guest bath, so I don't notice as quickly. If she really seems not to be going at all, a trip to the vet might be in order, to rule out any kind of illness, even though it sounds like she's in good health.
We just recently got a foster kitten, an orphan at 3 weeks of age, and my cat is doing the same things. This is not our first orphan to raise with her, so I know it gets better, but it takes time. Last time, she took six weeks to adjust, just around the time he was sent to his permanent home. This time, we're at four weeks, she's started to warm up, and we're prepared for her to take four to eight more weeks to make friends. These things just take time.
2006-07-26 10:07:01 · answer #3 · answered by Gen 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I had the same problem. I had my cat for almost 2 years when I got my dog. Cat did not like her at all. It was touch and go for about a month. The only thing I've done different is put the cat's food up on the counter in my kitchen. My dog would always eat it. My cat wouldn't play , she was scared. They are the best buddies now. In the morning my dog will wake my cat up, if she's not already awake. Cat loves for my dog to play with her....I think they love one another.
Don't worry...it will get better. It may take a little longer than mine.
Good luck!!
2006-08-02 19:17:30 · answer #4 · answered by BelleoftheBall 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Keep the cat's environment the same. Don't move her food, bed, litter box, etc. Train the dog not to eat the cat's food. It can be done. Just takes time and patience.
Don't start sleeping with the cat in another room. It can't last forever like that, and you'll just have to make another change later (and stress out the cat again.)
2006-08-03 09:20:51 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I had the same problem. I had my cat for 13 years when my daughter got me a dog, a breed that she knew I really liked. I didn't know what to do. I didn't want to hurt my daughters feelings by giving the dog back So I decided to just let it go for a while and see what happened. It took a while but their actually starting to get along, by that I mean they can be in the same room together. It took about five months to make this much progress. So hang in there and "let nature take it's course"
2006-08-01 15:59:34 · answer #6 · answered by betty g 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It will take a few days maybe even weeks for an older cat to get used to a new dog. Be sure the cat has space where he can go where the dog can't and be sure to give the cat the same amount of attition as before.
2006-07-26 09:45:30 · answer #7 · answered by Jemma 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is normal. Im going through the sam thing. It just takes time for the cat to adjusr.
They are naturally competitors, the cat has to learn that the dog is not going to attack it.
May take a few months, but it will adjust.
One of the things i do is feed one teats and get the other to come over for treats. They are both to busy trying to get the treats to be concerned with each other now. just coax it over, a lttile closer each time.
dont worry, the cat will be fine
2006-07-26 09:48:14 · answer #8 · answered by urbanbulldogge 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you purely ought to offer them the two time. do no longer rigidity it. the final element you like is the cat to get incredibly frightened or the canines to get a scratch from the cat. it ought to placed the relationship out for sturdy. in basic terms talk in a clam voice to the cat and shop reassuring it. shop the canines calm and attempt to coach it to no longer rush in the direction of the cat. I intro'ed a 8 week previous puppy into the residing house with a 12 year previous & 2 year previous cat. Then intro'ed yet another 13 year previous cat, (who had by no ability shared this is previous residing house with yet another puppy of any variety!) whilst the canines exchange into 6 months previous. 2 months later anybody is in basic terms effective with one yet another! It in basic terms takes time. a relaxed voice and nutrition treats will help. ascertain you spend in basic terms somewhat high quality time with each and each animal so neither feels skipped over or feels this is being replaced. sturdy success!
2016-10-08 08:42:20 · answer #9 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Maybe, but I'm not 100%
2016-07-27 05:05:00 · answer #10 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋