I am considering getting a dog but I have two cats. Both have all their claws intact (since we thought it was cruel to declaw them). Is it too late to try to introduce a new animal to them? I'm scared they might seriously hurt the dog with their claws (though I'm not too sure how much a cat uses their claws in a "real" fight - I was told many different answers). Both cats are 9 years old and have seen other animals but never really interacted with a dog that much. One is extremely timid and I'd imagine she'd run away from the dog most of the time, but the other is very outgoing and "alpha-like," he thinks he's the king of the castle. So would anyone know how to introduce them or have any experiences with having a dog and a clawed cat?
2007-04-12 20:22:01 · 10 answers · asked by thenebula6 1 in Pets ➔ Cats
you can try! but I would advice trying with another dog first to see how they react...you must be able to restrain them when you introduce the dog! It could be a good idea to also do it on neutral grounds first (ie in a place where neither the dog or the cats live) and then if this works you can try at your place to see if this works! Be careful! All animals have different personalities and a puppy can be very wild! most probably the puppy will end up chasing the cats...
good luck**
2007-04-12 20:27:59 · answer #1 · answered by INC0GNIT0 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not too late, they're not going to go for the dog, very few do, and when the dog comes too close the cat will quikly give it a sharp reminder to respect the ends of the paws, a dog rarely need a lot of reminding on that count. A cat uses it's claws a lot in a real fight, it's their primary defence.
Once they see the dog isn't the kind to see them and attack them, they'll start to relax, but you need to be patient with all of them.
Don't worry about their claws, that's not a bit concern. On the farm, while taking in many different animals, I had to introduce many cats to dogs and only once was there a problem, this is out of probably forty dogs and twenty or so cats.
2007-04-13 01:07:11 · answer #2 · answered by Unicornrider 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Generally it is a good idea for the cats to have claws when introduced to a dog because the cat is so much smaller. They won't "attack" and try to maul the dog, they'll just teach the dog a little respect. I have a bunch of cats in the house, one of them 8 years old. I got a full grown Miniature Australian Shepherd, which is a "herding" dog. She tried to herd the cats down the hall towards the bedroom. Big mistake. Cats were running, dog was chasing and then I heard "YIP!" and the dog returned, never to herd cats again. She respects them and doesn't try to chase any more. I have one cat that enjoys teasing the dog when she is in her kennel, but the dog basically treats the cats as a lower life form and the cats just ignore her now. As long as there is mutual respect, all is well.
2007-04-12 21:47:35 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you surprise a cat and they feel threatened, they will use their claws. I just introduced an 8 year old dog and a new kitten. When I brought the kitten home, I forgot to put the dog in the other room, the cat freaked out, scratched me like crazy, and was terrified (not a good way to start life at a new home!) I put the kitten in my bedroom, and kept them separated for a few days. Your cats will smell the dog under the door and will be more likely to get used to the idea of having the dog there if they don't feel physically threatened. After a few days of no contact- I put a baby gate up to allow the kitten to jump over & come out when she felt comfortable, but kept the dog out of her safe place. It took awhile but she would come out, see the dog and run back into her room, and eventually, she would approach & sniff him, and now they sleep together on the couch. Isolate the dog in the room, the cats already live there and the house is their safe place. It might take a while, but a SLOW, non-threatening, non-invasive introduction will be the most effective way to bring everyone together. If you just bring a dog home one day, your cat might attack him, but it will definietly be scared, and you don't want your kitties hiding under a bed for 4 days terrified and stressed out!
2007-04-12 20:58:28 · answer #4 · answered by lindskh 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It will depend a lot on the personalities of the cats and the dog. I had two cats (one was an adult and the other half grown) when I got a puppy a few years ago. The younger cat and the pup got along famously. They still play fight like dogs one minute and the next minute the cat is grooming the dog like it was another cat. The older cat, however, does not like the dog. Mostly, she just avoids him by going places he can't (like on top of the piano).
2007-04-12 20:32:16 · answer #5 · answered by cool_breeze_2444 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My cat is terrified of dogs and other cats. He has been doctored but still thinks that the world is His personal playground. He will fight anything that is not feeding Him. I would imagine that Yours is the same.
2007-04-12 20:53:03 · answer #6 · answered by Ashleigh 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't put your old friends through this trama please. You are rewarding years of faithful companionship with a HUGE disruption.
How will you feel if that "Timid" cat runs away forever? Or runs away and gets gets hit by a car etc. ? I have seen this happen. Cats are EXTREMELY sensitive to change.
Talk to your Vet he can guide you in this.
2007-04-12 20:30:57 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Very carefully does it, but not sure how!
2007-04-12 20:28:36 · answer #8 · answered by June S 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You have to train them to be together... but slowly..
Good luck...
2007-04-12 20:24:53 · answer #9 · answered by Kiki 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
probably not
2007-04-12 20:25:03 · answer #10 · answered by manadude2 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋