My cat hates our new pup!?

Question

we have had the cat about two years it stays inside and the pup is six months, but the cat keeps attacking the pup every chance it gets,we have another dog which is seven years old but the cat is ok with him no problems at all, thing is for the pups safety i have to keep them apart at all times. the cat lives in the sitting room with door closed and some times in the hot press, and the pup has the run of the house, and at night the pup sleeps in my daughters room, and the cat has the run of the house. this is mad, i know but what else can i do, i would really love for them to get on but now any time the dog sees the cat the dog shakes like mad and is scared, and the cat just trys to have a go at him. can any one give me advice is its driving me mad. I really couldnt get rid of any of them.

Answer 1

This is invaluable info: borrowed from the HSUS. I post it here since “incompatibility” is one of the main reasons of return of adopted pets to our pound. Please read, it works wonderfully!
AND- it applies to introducing new cats to dogs and other resident pets as well.

“Wouldn't it be nice if all it took to introduce a new cat to your resident pet were a brief handshake and a couple of "HELLO, My Name Is “Fluffy”? Unfortunately, it's not quite that simple, which means you'll need to have some realistic expectations from the outset. What are realistic expectations? First, it's recognizing and accepting that your pets may never be best buddies but will usually come to at least tolerate each other. Second, it's understanding the need to move slowly during the introduction process to increase your chances for success.
Of course, some cats are more social than other cats. For example, an eight-year-old cat who has never been around other animals may never learn to share her territory (and her people) with other pets in the household. But an eight-week-old kitten separated from her mom and littermates for the first time might be glad to have a cat or dog companion.

Cats are territorial, and they need to be introduced to other animals very slowly so they can get used to each other before a face-to-face confrontation. Slow introductions help prevent fearful and aggressive problems from developing. Here are some guidelines to help make the introductions go smoothly:

Confinement

Confine your new cat to one medium-sized room with her litter box, food, water, and a bed. Feed your resident pets and the newcomer on each side of the door to this room, so that they associate something enjoyable (eating!) with each other's smells. Don't put the food so close to the door that the animals are too upset by each other's presence to eat. Gradually move the dishes closer to the door until your pets can eat calmly while standing directly on either side of the door.

The Old Switcheroo

Swap the sleeping blankets or beds used by the cats so they each have a chance to become accustomed to the other's scent. You can even rub a towel on one animal and put it underneath the food dish of another animal. If there are more than two animals in the house, do the same for each animal.

Once your new cat is using her litter box and eating regularly while confined, let her have free time in the house while confining your other animals to the new cat's room. This switch provides another way for the animals to experience each other's scents without a face-to-face meeting. It also allows the newcomer to become familiar with her new surroundings without being frightened by the other animals.

Next, after the animals have been returned to their original designated parts of the house, use two doorstops to prop open the dividing door just enough to allow the animals to see each other, and repeat the whole process over a period of days—supervised, of course.

Slow and Steady Wins the Race

Avoid any interactions between your pets that result in either fearful or aggressive behavior. If these responses are allowed to become a habit, they can be difficult to change. It's better to introduce your pets to each other so gradually that neither animal becomes afraid or aggressive. You can expect a mild protest from either cat from time to time, but don't allow these behaviors to intensify. If either animal becomes fearful or aggressive, separate them, and start the introduction process once again with a series of very small, gradual steps.

You'll also want to have at least one litter box per cat, and you'll probably need to clean all of the litter boxes more frequently. Make sure that none of the cats is being "ambushed" by another while trying to use the litter box, and be sure each cat has a safe hiding place.

Try to keep your resident pets' schedule close to what it was before the newcomer's arrival. Cats can make a lot of noise, pull each other's hair, and roll around quite dramatically without any injuries. If small spats do occur between your cats, you shouldn't attempt to intervene directly to separate the cats. Instead, make a loud noise, throw a pillow, or use a squirt bottle with water and vinegar to separate the cats. Give them a chance to calm down before re-introducing them to each other.- gratefully reprinted from the HSUS.

http://www.hsus.org/pets/pet_care/our_pets_for_life_program/cat_behavior_tip_sheets/introducing_pets_to_a_new_cat.html

Answer 2

Did you do introductions properly?
As your cat was there first, you should give him the run of the house while keeping the pup confined to a room for at least 2 weeks.

Follow the advice below (link) it refers to another cat, but it applies to any new animal in the house. Keep it up, it will get better! Well done for not wanting to rehome any of them, there really is no need.

I know that keeping them separate feels crazy, but it isn't, it's the only way to go.

Answer 3

cats can be trained so i would advice you to take the pup into your sitting room on a lead with the other dog, sit them down at your feet. allow the cat to wonder about but if it goes to attack the pup raise your voice and say no. this may take a while but persistence is needed here..

Answer 4

did ur cat grow up with the seven yr old dog or was ur cat introduced to the seven yr old dog before it was 8 months old?
If ur cat did grow up with the dog ( or was introduced to it be4 it was 8 months old) it knows the seven yr old dog and is used to it, the puppy just came in and the cat doesn't know whether to trust it or not.....u should punish the cat(not by hitting it or anything like that) but by spraying it with water. If the problem still goes on after using the named technique for two weeks, contact me for further info.....
Hope I Helped!! :)

Answer 5

well my cats hate dogs and somethimes other cats. im thinking that they are jealous or territorial. since your new puppy didnt live with you before or at the same time as your cat it doesnt like the pup. when my sister brought home a stray cat like always my cats didnt like it. well it took one of them longer to get use to it than the other (i have two cats) so jus give your cat time to get use to the new pup. hope that helps you!!!

Answer 6

Well, this problem is kind of usual. Of course, don't let your cat to hit your puppy. Maybe you should make a fence or something or put them if different rooms. Anyway, don't let your cat hit your puppy. Maybe you should give a little bit more time for the cat to adjust to the puppy.

Answer 7

cats dont like change and thats why its being like it is it'll soon get used to the pup you've just get to let them adjust to each other

Answer 8

it will get use to it
before ugot the pup u should of let the dog meet it

Answer 9

you should really start chastising your cat ,you have to let him know their is a new edition to your household,the worst thing you could do is separate them,they have to get to know each other.