We rescued a dog, a small Bagel (a Beagle/Basset Hound mix) and brought her home. My cats are reacting very meanly. Normally, they are good with other cats, but have never been around a dog. They walk around the house with puffed up tails and attack the poor thing if she tries to walk. Also, my son was sitting my the dog, and the younger of the two cats scratched my son on his face. They have NEVER scratched or anything like this before!
I know it is just the first day... but is this likely to get better? How long should it take?
2006-10-08 13:43:23 · 10 answers · asked by Willalee 5 in Pets ➔ Cats
Their world has become invaded by an outsider. You need to introduce them to one another slowly. Dont just plop the dog in the room and expect the cats to be happy. Keep the dog restrained in another room for awhile. Use a baby gate to keep her in the kitchen and just let the cats get used to her being in the house--but restrained so she cant get at them. The dog is a threat to them no matter how docile the dog may be right now. Since the cats have had free reign in the house...you should continue to allow them that. As far as them scratching your son.......he just happened to be the closest living being between the cat and the dog. The cat simply lashed out b/c its angry. Keeping the dog retrained from the cats for a week or so and letting the cats get slowly used to the dog will ease their fears. The dog will adapt.......the cats will take longer. My cats had a bit of a time getting used to my dog but now they sleep together and nuzzle with one another. It will take some time but it will work. Just be patient and keep your son away from the swiping claws! Good luck.
Beth
2006-10-08 13:50:11 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Everyone has given excellent advice, another thing to do is, as you should be keeping them apart for a bit - every time you feed your cats, bring the dog in the room, it helps them associate the pleasurable activity of eating, with yonder puppy. Maybe don't leave pellets out for them inbetween meals for a few days, this helps sharpen appetites, and ensures that they will be nice and hungry when you feed them. That way, they will definitely leave puppy alone so they can eat. Keep the dog restrained while the cats are eating, on a leash, so that she doesn't annoy them at their bowls. Also, pin both cats down when they are tired and trim their nails - there is definitely going to be a few occasions when they are going to try to hack your puppies face up! Not to worry though, if they can adjust to other cats it means that they are already tolerant kitties, the dog won't take too long to adjust to. Just make sure that they have all got places to hide in, and that their food and litter trays are protected from your pup.
If they have got favourite places to sleep, take a blanket or old tee shirt and let the dog sleep on it, then put it in kitties favourite spots, this helps them get used to the dogs scent, without it actually being there. You can even put their food bowls on to the dog smelly blanket!
2006-10-08 23:50:23 · answer #2 · answered by Karring Kat 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You can get Rescue Remedy from a health foods store. With animals you just shake the bottle well and put three to four drops on each animal's fur. Treat as often as you can for the next week or ten days. It can help ease the tensions among the animals. It's not a drug or a medicine and can't hurt them in any way.
If you want to wait a week you can get "New Beginnings" from Dr. Jean Hovfe's site www.spiritessence.com. It would cost about the same as the RR.
I'm sure Hovfe's essence has Walnut in it which might have a better effect long-term and I think either would help the situation.
2006-10-08 13:52:11 · answer #3 · answered by old cat lady 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes, it will get better but, I predict it will take a while. don't force them to be together or in the same room or anything. The dog is smart enough to know the cats are boss and will act accordingly but, it will take time for him to know what they will and will not tolerate and him being a puppy will naturally test the cats pretty often and learn his lessons the hard way, over and over. I hate to say it but dogs are dumb that way....lol I have 2 cats and a dog. It's funny to watch. Let them take all the time they need. the cats are mad and the dog is , well a dog. So, time is the answer. Good luck and many years of dog and cat antics for you and your family. Great that you rescued a dog....won the doggier lottery huh?
2006-10-08 14:19:34 · answer #4 · answered by MISS-MARY 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Cats are territorial and the dog is in they're territory. Do Not give the dog more attention than you will give your cats stay away from the dog for a few days let the cats show him the rules of the house and everything will be fine. Keep your son away from the dog at first the cats know him as they're human. Animals actually think we are their pets. LOL
2006-10-08 13:50:17 · answer #5 · answered by Val K 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
gradually, is the key right here. And introduce them in an ecosystem controlled by potential of you. in line with risk initiate by potential of keeping apart them into diverse rooms, and once you pass away with the canines, enable the cat stumble on the room you had the canines in to get used to the fragrance. And vice versa. Then enable the cat and canines sniff one yet another by using a cracked door, and if the canines responds actual with good habit, reward him. After some encounters of them peeking by using a door for some seconds, enhance the time as long because of the fact the canines isn't exhibiting signs and indications of desirous to pounce the cat. at last artwork as much as being waiting to place a baby gate contained in the door physique and enable the canines watch the cat from there. at last the cat may even develop into curious and make their excess of the gate, yet pass away the gate status so if the cat feels threatened it has a secure way of taking flight without the canines following.
2016-10-02 02:32:59 · answer #6 · answered by Erika 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the cats and your nwe puppy should be playing together in about a couple of days . it takes a few days for them to adjust themself to eachother. what ever you do do not leave the cats and the puppy alone together at all you have to watch them like hawks. as for scratching our son if they have newer done that befor it is probably just jelosy. I would not worry about it.. e-mail me if the dogs and cats don't get better in about 3-4 days ok.. good luck.
isabella
2006-10-08 14:51:59 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
ALL DOGS AND CATS ARE DIFF. I HAVE 3 DOGS AND 4 CATS ONE OF MY DOGS I JUST GOT ABOUT 1 OR 2 MONTHS NOW AND HE NEVER BEEN AROUND CATS BEFOR BUT AT FIRST HE WAS CHASING THEM BUT IT WAS NOT TO BE MEAN BUT TO PLAY WITH THEM THE CATS BEEN AROUND DOGS ALL THEIRE LIFE SO THEY KNOW HOW TO ACT BUT TIME WILL TELL I HAVE ONE MUT AND TWO PIT BULLS AND THEY ALL LOVE CATS
MY MOTHER INLAW HAS A PIT THAT HAS BEEN AROUND CATS BEFOR AND IT ACTS LIKE IT WANTS TO TEAR HER CAT UP SO SHE HAS TO KEEP IT PUT UP SO JUST GIVE TIME AND THEY WILL GET USE TO EACH OTHER
GOOD LUCK
2006-10-08 13:55:24 · answer #8 · answered by kingkong9274 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
i had cats and then got a dashhound it took almost a month for my cats to get use to my dog now they never leave each other side and when i take my dog out my cat follows with her
2006-10-08 13:49:43 · answer #9 · answered by lady of the hearts 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
as long as it takes for your dog to get hungry....hehehe
2006-10-08 13:45:43 · answer #10 · answered by plainofexistance 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋