I am moving. I have a cat who is 8 months old and will be 9 when we actually move in. The room mate has a dog who is 8 yrs old. Both of these animals are females. Niether of them has ever been around the other. Do you think they will get along? I know maybe not right away, but do you think they will learn to live with eachother. Anyone else have experience with joining cat and dog together?
2006-09-29 17:30:08 · 8 answers · asked by Vennessa 2 in Pets ➔ Cats
The dog is a shihtzu by the way...Dont want you to think it is some pit bull or anything! lol
2006-09-29 17:37:43 · update #1
My 2 dogs and 2 cats each despise the other group, but the cats aren't fond of each other either. My last group of 4 all got along fine.
It really depends entirely upon the animals involved as to how they ultimately get along, but there are ways to introduce them properly, see the url's in the source section.
I've had a kitten and an older dog bond instantly, a pup and kitten who slept in each other's arms their whole lives, an older dog who took to one cat but not the other, one dog who didn't like cats at all, one who loved them so much that he scared them off trying to play, one who treated them like raccoons and "treed" them on the furniture while howling at them, and one cat who thinks dogs are simply beneath him and disdains them all.
Most do get along to some degree at some point, and may even become friends, but it may take time, and you have to respect both the cat's paranoia and the dog's territory here. Introduce the cat by bringing it into a "safe room" in a carrier and let it get used to that for a few days. Then let it explore the house for short periods when the dog isn't there. When you do introduce them, have the dog on a leash and under control. Don't allow them to be together unsupervised under any circumstances until you're sure of the dog - you didn't say if this was a maltese or a mastiff, and you might have more luck with the mastiff.
In any case, you're better off than trying to introduce it to an established older cat, and the odds are good that they will get along if you take it gradually. At worst, you'll need to confine the cat to your room, and cats seldom mind that. Good luck!
2006-09-29 21:03:23 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
It would help if the dog has been around cats before and is good with them. Some dogs just kill cats. You can try keeping one of the animals in a separate room till you think maybe they are getting used to each other that way, but watch them carefully if they are together because the cat could be history before you know it.
2006-09-29 17:34:55 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have 2 female cats the oldest one is 16 years old and she hates dogs especially when they bark and make too much noise it's an uneasy co-existance in the house the dogs are tolerant of her but don't like her drinking out their water bowls
as long as she doesn't do that they don't get upset.
2006-09-30 05:35:43 · answer #3 · answered by markm 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Generally unless one of them is psycho. They will be fine in a week or 2. Just don't leave them alone unless the cat has a place is can get to and the dog can't. Their ages might be helpful as well.
PS- You might what exchange something with your pets scent on it with your friend. Then put it in the place both your pet sleeps. (Note that you shouldn't use anything you care about as either pet might destroy it.) This will help get them use to each other's scent.
2006-09-29 17:39:31 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Don't worry they'll be fine it could take them 2-7 days 2 get used 2 each other no problem been thru that with my cats & dog
Good Luck
2006-09-29 17:38:35 · answer #5 · answered by sugarbdp1 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
as long as the cat can climb up away from the dog you will be okay, it will take some time for them to get used to each other but dont force them, let them set their own pace
2006-09-29 17:54:05 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
depending on the dogs personality but typically smaller dogs hate cats. Careful he doesnt try an kill your kitty :(
2006-09-29 17:46:02 · answer #7 · answered by Confused 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It will take some time but they will figure each other out.
2006-09-29 18:12:46 · answer #8 · answered by Bubba Gump 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋