Today I adopted a chihuahua/dachshunds mix for my household. I have two domestic cats. When I introduced them via a divided wall (like for a baby), the dog snapped and the cats ran off. Is this doomed to fail or is this just a period of adjustment? Any advice would be helpful. Thanks.
2007-02-02 13:47:49 · 15 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Dogs
I have a Chihuahua and two cats also but my situation was reversed. I got the cats after I had my dog. My dog barks and snaps at the cats whenever they get too close to her. They respect that for the most part. However, a few times I saw one of my cats turn around and swipe at the dog. I keep my cats claws trimmed so this wasn't a problem. If your cats have claws, your dog may get a swipe or two and s/he will learn to leave the cats alone. Keep them separated for a little while and introduce them slowly. Your animals will work out an acceptable living arrangement. Animals in the same house have to because of the close living space they share. Give it a little time and let nature take its course. Good luck and enjoy your new little friend.
2007-02-02 14:06:42 · answer #1 · answered by Give life. Be an organ donor! 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Give them time to adjust. Keep the puppy (you didn't give the age) or the adult dog separate from the cats for a while until the cats see the dog becoming part of the family. If it's an adult dog and it already has a bad attitude toward cats - you may have to train it.
I got my 3 year old dachshund Rosey when she was a tiny 2 month old puppy.
When I brought her home, we had 1 female cat (now 19 years old), last year I adopted another female cat (10 years old).
Both cats have adjusted to and play with my dog - she chases and the cats chase her back - even the elderly 19 year old - they eat together.
2007-02-02 22:09:06 · answer #2 · answered by birdwatcher 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
ok well because the dog snapped at the cats that's not a good sign, but there is a chance. Just wait a while for the dog to adjust, maybe put the dog in a cage and let the cats sniff it, or the other way around, just slowly introduce them to each other.
P.S chihuahua/dachshunds mix, that's an unusual mix, whats it look like:P
2007-02-02 22:02:12 · answer #3 · answered by ; р я ε т т ч <3 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You're starting out right by keeping them separate initially.
Here's a couple of articles that explain about introducing cats & dogs:
http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&A=2130&S=1&SourceID=47
http://www.littlebigcat.com/index.php?action=library&act=show&item=cattodogintroductions
You'll need to watch the new dog VERY carefully, especially since he's part Dachshund. Dachshunds are hunting dogs, bred to hunt badgers, so they tend have a very high prey drive & tend not to be good with cats. Even a small dog can kill a cat if it's determined to, so even if you manage to get them to get along, please don't ever leave them unsupervised together.
Honestly, the fact that this dog's initial response to the cats was to snap rather than to investigate concerns me. Are you totally attached to this new dog, or will the shelter let you return it if it doesn't work out? If possible, you may want to look for a different dog with a lower prey drive. Ask the shelter if they have any dogs that are known to be good with cats. Ask if you can test a dog you're interested in with a shelter cat who's good with dogs (the dog should be on a leash for this). You'll want to look for a dog whose initial reaction to a cat is friendly curiosity, trying to sniff the cat's nose or behind, rather than snapping, barking, or trying to chase the cat.
Hope this helps.
2007-02-02 22:31:07 · answer #4 · answered by Bess2002 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have two cats and brought a dog home. When Soph (dog) first came here I kept her in her kennel and let cats work up interest and check her out. (she didn't know at first how easy it was to spook them. When I let her out at first I kept her on a leash. Just establish control with the dog and give it TIME. it's been 5 months and the old cat is just getting where she'll come out when dog is loose and she's still jumpy. the younger cat and the dog play together since second week.
2007-02-02 22:06:54 · answer #5 · answered by shugabuns 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The animals should get used to eachother. I had a dog and a cat and they got along fine when we got another cat the dog was fine with the cat but the cat was very nervous and jumpy around it. After some time they should get used to eachother. Try puttin the dog on a leash and take him near the cats, once they've become more accustomed to having the other there and see how they react. If they dotn get along, it might jsut take more time. but some dogs jsut don't get along with cats sometimes.
2007-02-02 21:53:46 · answer #6 · answered by nevermore 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Our cat was angry with us for 6 months after we brought home a puppy. We made sure the cat had her own space and a place to get a way from him (cat condo tower). We made sure that the dog was taught that the cat was boss, not that we had to do it for her! I'd just keep an eye on them when they are together and nature will take it's course. One day you may come into a room with them being friendly with one another.
2007-02-03 03:18:53 · answer #7 · answered by ~M~ 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yea, your dog will adjust eventually, just give him a few days or weeks. Just make sure to put the cat food on the kitchen counter or some place out of reach of the dog. Dogs love to eat cat food
2007-02-02 21:50:24 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Good luck with that. I have four cats and I think anyone that brings a dog into a cat household is very brave. Maybe you should talk to your vet about it.
2007-02-02 21:51:20 · answer #9 · answered by mjhorn213 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not much you can do. I have 2 dogs and a cat and the dogs quickly learn who the real boss is.
2007-02-02 21:50:04 · answer #10 · answered by Topsy T 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋