We recently got a new puppy, he is a lab retriever. I have two cats and one of the cats attacked the puppy on their first meeting. The cats are scared all the time. The puppy wants to play with them and be friends. Will my cats ever get over the fear of the dog?
2007-05-26 06:32:43 · 19 answers · asked by Will 2 in Pets ➔ Cats
Once your pets decide who is boss every thing will fall into place. The cats usually win. Do not leave them alone for the time being as the cats may hurt the puppy since he is very playful,he will not realise that the cats don`t like him. He probably thinks that they are playing.
2007-05-26 06:38:08 · answer #1 · answered by coolfluke 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Yes, I think the cats will eventually get used to the dog. I've done this three times with the same cat! It took a few months each time but now my cat cleans the face of one of my dogs and sleeps in the same bed with her sometimes! It just takes time. Try not to let the cat scratch the dog. This can cause injuries that may need the attention of a vet. I just distracted my dogs away from my cat at first and let the cat come to the dogs when he was ready. Now they all can sit on the couch together without fighting!
2007-05-26 13:39:20 · answer #2 · answered by amyaz_98 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
How old are the cats? How long have you had them? Have they been around dogs at all?
Put the cats near the puppy, not with the puppy. Cats are stubborn and will take time to get used to this 'ignorant, rude, juvenile'. They will learn to at least tolerate him, and probably get along fine.
Puppies are kinda dumb at first, and want to play with everything, including rattlesnakes! Soon your puppy will learn who the boss is in your house [ not him - you will have 'alpha dog' kitties! ]
This is actually a better way to do it, then having dogs and adding a cat - cats rarely hurt puppies, but dogs frequently hurt cats if they are not used to them.
2007-05-26 13:42:14 · answer #3 · answered by Nurse Susan 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It'll take some time. In the begining, whenever introducing a new animal to the house, your other animlas might be a bit aprehinsive. My cats are always that way. After a while most of them calm down and accept the new animal and they become friends. My oldest cat took the longest. My kittens are almost 6 weeks old and she still hates them. You will probably have to break up a couple fights, but eventually they will become friends.
2007-05-26 13:38:29 · answer #4 · answered by Steven's Love 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Well if you were the dominant animal, getting all the food, all the love, all the attention, & affection .... and sum little hairball with a bark came in and took that, u'd be pissed to right ?
But dont worry, the cat will either tolerate and be apathetic...
or befriend the dog and be okay with playing.
My cats all started that way and only 1 never got over herself and her apathy towards dogs.
2007-05-26 14:11:17 · answer #5 · answered by Jonas 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
eventually they will learn to co-exist in the home. Remember the cats were there first and they feel threatened right now. Also the lab is a hyper puppy and that probably freaks the cat out.
2007-05-26 13:38:38 · answer #6 · answered by Vikkie S 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It takes time to adjust everyones territory rights..only leave them to together for short periods of time to start..as the dog settles down the cats may be more tolerant of him.
2007-05-26 13:36:36 · answer #7 · answered by SK8TERGURL~1~NOT~ 2/davesslave 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
well i also have a puppy and a cat, and at first they didnt really get along, but now they play around and sleep together, i guess it depends on the cats you have.
2007-05-26 13:36:08 · answer #8 · answered by Tania c 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋
You just have to give them plenty of time to get used to each other. It may take awhile, but once the cats figure out that the dog poses no threat, they should be fine.
2007-05-26 13:36:01 · answer #9 · answered by kj 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Yes, they will.
They just need some time.
Maybe let your dog roll around in a blanket, and rub him with it.
Then give it to your cats to lie in, and rub on.
The cats will get used to his smell, and eventually get used to him.
2007-05-26 14:11:00 · answer #10 · answered by Candy Parker 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋