how do I get my 1yr old cat to befriend my pitbull puppie?

Question

She hides under our bed at night, and when we are asleep she jumps on the bed and starts talking to us as if she is complaining. HELP!

TO JEFF D, DO YOUR RESEARCH FIRST IDIOT, YES THEY DO GET ALONG, THE PROBLEM ISN'T THE PITBULL ITS THE CAT. OR DO YOURSELF A FAVOR... READ THE QUESTION CAREFULLY. AND DON'T WASTE MY TIME.

Answer 1

Ignore all the pitbull haters. I have a friend who has a pitbull and cat who love each other. They sleep together and lick each other. But, they grew up together. They were both under 5 months when they met each other. A one year old cat might not ever get used to a dog. Here's an article about introducing a cat to a dog. Good luck.

Introducing a New Animal Into Your Home: Dog and Cat
The old tale that a cat and dog cannot live together peaceably is untrue. What is true, however, is that is does take some skill and patience to make it work. It also takes a dog who is already well trained and an owner who has excellent control of his dog. Without this you may be putting a cat (or even the dog) in a potentially dangerous situation. All dogs should be trained to be gentle and well behaved, but particularly those who will be asked to live with a cat or two.

Successful introductions have much to do with each animal's previous experiences with other animals, if any at all, and how well their guardians introduce them. When choosing an animal (whether a cat or a dog), be considerate of each animal's background, and, in some cases, breed.

For instance, a dog who has been around bully cats may not be too keen on your idea of adding a cat to the family. Or a cat living in a household with a dog who has a nasty habit of chasing other animals, may just decide to live the rest of her days perched in fear atop the refrigerator or dressers.

But lets say you go to great lengths to choose the right cat or dog to live with you and the rest of your animal family, do not ruin things by introducing them improperly. First impressions between cats and dogs are as important as they are between people. Making sure that there are as few problems as possible is an important guide to helping these animals form a lifelong friendship (or maybe just to get along.)

Keep a positive attitude and don't apologize or agonize over your decision to bring another animal into your home. The stress it causes you will reflect in how you interact with your companion animals. In other words, if you are nervous, you will make your companion animals nervous, too. This will certainly affect how they view the other animal and you may be sabotaging your efforts for a successful relationship.

Begin by keeping the new animal in a separate room or area for several days. Make sure they are kept comfortable with food, water, bedding and a litter box for cats. The current pet(s) should have free roam of the rest of the home. Allow them to sniff and growl under the door. After all, they have to accept the presence of an animal of another species. If you wish to let the new animal out of confinement for short periods, it should be done only when they can be supervised by an adult and the current pet is kept in another room or area.

Once the grumbling has lessened, allow the animals to see each other through a screen or slightly opened door. This allows each animal to work out defensiveness or aggression without really being able to harm each other physically. Do this exercise for several days until you feel comfortable enough to introduce them face to face.

When you can be home all day and are feeling quite relaxed, allow the new animal out of his confinement. Unless you are certain that the dog(s) involved is very well trained and has been gentle with small animals in the past, introduce the dog on a very loose leash. Do not force them to be together. Doing so could make each animal feel out of control or threatened and a fight could easily break out. Instead, be casual and let them encounter each other on their own.
It is perfectly normal and expected that these animals hiss, growl, chase, swat, and bat at each other. This may go on for several days or several weeks. Do not punish one animal and/or rescue the other. This may only serve to teach one animal that the other causes him to be punished, or that he has to make no effort to defend himself. Be patient. If your animals are well adjusted, they will work things out in their own time.

However, if there is severe fighting in which the animals are being injured, separate by throwing water on them or making a loud noise. Do not try to separate them with your body. In the frenzy you could be bitten and scratched by accident. Keep the animals apart, and after a few days, try to introduce them again.

Do not expect your cats and dogs to become pals right away. Friendships take time to develop. It is not wise to set a short time period or to expect too much from your companion animals too soon. Have realistic expectations and goals. If problems persist, or if you have any questions, do not hesitate to call The Anti-Cruelty Society's animal behavior specialists.

Answer 2

They'll be fine. Things like this take time. I have a lot friends that have pitbulls and Cats and they get along. Some cats are more meek than others so may be more intimidated. Just do research join apbt forums I know yahoo has them cause I belong to one.
I have a 5 month old Pitbull and Dachshund mix and a 3 year old dominate cat. Although the cat doesnt like the puppy always following him. They are starting to get along. They even sleep by each other. Its all about territory and making them feel comfortable, and a little patience and understanding.
By the way my pittbull /dachshund mix came from a house with 2 pitbulls and 2 cats. And they are fine.

Good luck hun.

Answer 3

Honey, I understand you completely! I sleep with 3 cats and a pitbull. Yes, they do get along! They just have to spend time together! It sounds like your cat doesn't want to share you, though! This is probably something that only time will help! I get so tired of all of the misperceptions that people have about pitbulls! I wouldn't trade mine for anything! She's gentle to my other animals and to all my family and friends! Just let them try to get to know each other a little better! It sounds like the cat just needs to take baby steps and figure out if the puppy is a friend or foe! If you can, see if you can get the cat out from under the bed, and try to "introduce" them to each other! They may end up being really good playmates....like all of my babies! Good Luck!

Answer 4

*ROLLS EYES AT THE OTHER PEOPLES ANSWERS.
Yes you can get them to get along. Especially since the pit is a puppy still. Just take the cat and carry her towards the puppy. Then talk softly to the cat to keep her calm and pet the puppy and show her that the puppy is nice. The cat is just nervous and kinda freaked out at the new animal in her home territory. Let her know that its alright and that you like her too.
But you do know that the puppy is going to be really playful and try to play with your cat and I dont know if your cat will like that very much. Keep an eye on them.

Answer 5

Dogs and cats can be successfully integrated, but on the cat's terms. You have introduced a wiggly little furball into your cat's territory, and she is defending it.

Try to keep your pup isolated from the cat for a week or so, and slowly introduce them by allowing the cat to greet the pup first. Never allow a puppy to antagonize a cat, since your pup can get hurt, or your cat can when the pup gets bigger and thinks the cat is a toy.

Your cat may never approve of your new pup, but with constant supervision over the next few weeks, they can learn to tolerate each other. Never allow your pup to chase the cat. And, being the Alpha in the household, always greet your cat first, give extra attention, and try not to feed them in the same area.

Hope this helps.

Answer 6

well it will take time.
try shutting them both in the same room with you and put the pup in a cage and allow and incurrege the cat to sniff and check out the pup. keep doing this untill the cat is ok with the pup in the cage then let it out and hold it so the cat can get a closer look. then let the pup go. if the pup gets too play full of bothers the cat squirt it with water and tell it no and if the cat bothers the pup squrit the cat and tell it no.
give them both prais and rewards for being near each other without any problems and when your cat complains by whining at you just ignor it, it will learn they it now has to shair its home and famaly.
as long as you treat them both the same then they will get use to each outher

Answer 7

I had a pitbull and a kitten, and they got along great, but the kitten was second, I think when you have a cat and try to introduce it to another animal its tough and pitbulls are the most loveable animals and I hate when people bash them for no reason. Its a real slow process though, good luck

Answer 8

i agree with the other answers. Right now it might be ok, but wait till the pitbull grows a little bigger. I understand if it was a poodle or something but..

Answer 9

Good luck with that one I had a pit bull and it would try to eat the cat. I tryed to put them together it just didn't work out. My mom now has the pit bull

Answer 10

to the guy above me: why are you in the cat section if you HATE cats sooooooo much!!?? GET A LIFE!!!! go to the dog section dumbass!!!!!! don't answer any of my questions again cause I saw that you did!!!!!!!!!

sorry, I wish I could help you but my cats and my dog love each other!!!! go figure!! =^-^=