We got the dog, an 18 month old yellow lab, about six weeks ago. She's very friendly but the cat refuses to come near her (unless she is in her crate). He basically spends the majority of his time under our bed.
Any suggestions on how to speed up the adjustment process? I'm afraid he's never going to come out and meet her on his own.
2007-02-13 22:26:11 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Cats
You must look at things from the cat's perspective. He is old. He's gotten used to life being nice, quiet and peaceful and suddenly, a large loud noisy creature comes bounding along, creating a racket.. His first response is to hide under the bed until this smelly thing goes away.. Wouldn't you? It's going to take him along while to get used to your dog. It's really not going to help if the dog's first response to seeing him is to bark. If the cat is ready to come and see her in her crate, the battle is already half won. Give them time to interact. The cat is only doing all this to protect himself since he obviously doesn't know if the dog is dangerous. Help them get used to each other, through the grills of the crate. If she falls asleep in her crate, very quietly open it so the cat can see she is not charging out at him.. Praise him effusively and give him lots and lots of attention. He's an old boy and his sensitive feelings must be looked after.. I think they'll be fine in no time. Just be patient and look at slowly increasing their interaction.. But in all honesty, I think he's an old cat and shouldn't be forced into anything he isn't ready for..
2007-02-13 23:20:59 · answer #1 · answered by aken 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You just have to give them both time. Don't force it. The last thing you want is the cat to get really frightened or the dog to get a scratch from the cat. It could put the relationship out for good. Just talk in a clam voice to the cat and keep reassuring it. Keep the dog calm and try to teach it not to rush toward the cat. I intro'ed a 8 week old pup into the house with a 12 year old & 2 year old cat. Then intro'ed another 13 year old cat, (who had never shared it's previous home with another pet of any kind!) when the dog was 6 months old. 2 months later everyone is just fine with each other! It just takes time.
A calm voice and food treats will help. Make sure you spend a bit of quality time with each animal so neither feels left out or feels it's being replaced.
Good luck!
2007-02-13 22:34:58 · answer #2 · answered by red260z 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your cat is pretty old. I'm not sure if he will adjust, especially if he's never been around a dog before. If he has, then there is a good chance he'll adjust, but it will take time. Speed up the adjustment process by keeping the dog in the crate more often, and then when you let her out, keep her at your side. So that the cat sees she's out, but not going after her. I am not sure you can rush this process.
2007-02-13 22:31:22 · answer #3 · answered by ThatLady 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Me and my fiance had the same issue when we moved in together. I have a cat and he has a pitbull. We continuously put the dog in a submissive position which was laying on his back with head down and paws in the air and brought the cat around him while keeping him in the submissive position. After a week or so the cat realized that the dog is not a threat and she remains dominant. They are great friends now!
2007-02-13 23:08:26 · answer #4 · answered by hollilynn 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Not really any way to speed up the process, but don't worry, eventually your cat will come out from under the bed. My guess is that one day you will come home and find the two of them curled up together sleeping on the couch.
2007-02-13 22:37:04 · answer #5 · answered by jingles 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I wager your a loving being concerned proprietor so do no longer permit all people inform you in any different case,whether I do think of your pit-bull would attack the different kitten which you will meet him wit,and from what i've got study it would be ultimate to get an person cat,(no no longer a youthful-person, an person lol) reason I as quickly as had a candy loving small(no longer actual small basically no longer medium the two)dogs and we had have been given us some ferrets and we concept she grew to become right into a frightening cat.(my dogs thats why i did no longer think of she would lay a paw on them) lol we referred to as her punkin properly my brother referred to as her punk for short she grew to become into candy yet she grew to become into additionally a house dogs and the ferrets had there on room(we've a huge homestead so we could arise with the money for to allow them to have there very own they grew to become into in a cage and all yet i don't comprehend i think they squeezed out?)and he or she ate one the different grew to become into smarter and grew to become into on the curtains so regrettably we had to offer her away yet we gave her to my aunt whom is an extremely clever-previous lady i like her to death :] besides what i'm announcing is that it would be a greater valuable threat of you getting an cat if it grew to become into grown reason a infant cant guard itself
2016-10-02 03:03:27 · answer #6 · answered by alarid 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the 14 year old has had the run of the house - and now has to share
whoa - go slowly - and give her reassurance that she is not getting replaced
dogs have masters
cats have staff!
2007-02-13 22:36:19 · answer #7 · answered by tomkat1528 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋