Cats and Dogs - Can They Get Along?
Discussion
Hi,
Need some advice here. My 15 y/o cat has come to live with us from my house as I'm moving in with my girlfriend. However, my girlfriend has a 15 month old border collie. Now, my cat has never lived in the same house as a dog before, and vice versa. The dog is as gentle as anything, and just wants to play. Thus far, we've had a stand off under a sofa in the lounge, and if the cat is outside the house and the dog can see him, she goes nuts.
I really would like them to at least tolerate each other, so if anyones had to do this before I'd love to know how you did it!
Thanks,
Greg
Need some advice here. My 15 y/o cat has come to live with us from my house as I'm moving in with my girlfriend. However, my girlfriend has a 15 month old border collie. Now, my cat has never lived in the same house as a dog before, and vice versa. The dog is as gentle as anything, and just wants to play. Thus far, we've had a stand off under a sofa in the lounge, and if the cat is outside the house and the dog can see him, she goes nuts.
I really would like them to at least tolerate each other, so if anyones had to do this before I'd love to know how you did it!
Thanks,
Greg
Its all going to depend on the cat's temprament Greg, even then, faced with a new invader, the most docile of cats can turn into an all-spitting, all-scratching devil. 
Its a tough one. If it was the other way around (bringing the dog to the cat), I'd suggest that it might be a smoother experience, the cat already having "claim" to the territory and knowing where to hide himself away should the puppy get over inquisitive.
If you've got an in-home cage for the puppy, it might help to leave him in there for periods while the cat gets climatized. Other than that, i think its a case of suck-it-and see.
Its a tough one. If it was the other way around (bringing the dog to the cat), I'd suggest that it might be a smoother experience, the cat already having "claim" to the territory and knowing where to hide himself away should the puppy get over inquisitive.
If you've got an in-home cage for the puppy, it might help to leave him in there for periods while the cat gets climatized. Other than that, i think its a case of suck-it-and see.
Thanks. The border isn't really a puppy any more sadly, shes all grown up!
The cat is quite docile, I think its difficult for him at the moment because of the change of scenery etc. I think the best thing to do might be to put them in a room together and just let them get on with it. Like I said, I think the dog just wants to play, but try telling the cat that!
I'm sure it will sort itself out.
The cat is quite docile, I think its difficult for him at the moment because of the change of scenery etc. I think the best thing to do might be to put them in a room together and just let them get on with it. Like I said, I think the dog just wants to play, but try telling the cat that!
I'm sure it will sort itself out.
GregE240 said:
Thanks. The border isn't really a puppy any more sadly, shes all grown up!
The cat is quite docile, I think its difficult for him at the moment because of the change of scenery etc. I think the best thing to do might be to put them in a room together and just let them get on with it. Like I said, I think the dog just wants to play, but try telling the cat that!
I'm sure it will sort itself out.
Just as long as you, and more importantly your good lady, are aware that the dog will come worst off in a forced situation. Cats are extremely defensive by nature.
Good luck.
well if this left hook is any indication.......
actually, the get on really well, guiness (the pup) is about a year now and murphy (the kitten) is about 4 months. guiness seems to think hes a squeaky toy and watches him (in that sheepdog way) constantly. murphy will bite and claw him, and i mean those back feet claws in the eye, and he never murmurs. if he gets too rough guiness just pushes him away. They quite often sleep in the dogs cage in the kitchen together.
We have an older dog too, a german shepherd with the obligatory back leg problems, he's just a grumpy old sod and the kitten wont go near him and he never bothers the kitten, ever.
actually, the get on really well, guiness (the pup) is about a year now and murphy (the kitten) is about 4 months. guiness seems to think hes a squeaky toy and watches him (in that sheepdog way) constantly. murphy will bite and claw him, and i mean those back feet claws in the eye, and he never murmurs. if he gets too rough guiness just pushes him away. They quite often sleep in the dogs cage in the kitchen together.
We have an older dog too, a german shepherd with the obligatory back leg problems, he's just a grumpy old sod and the kitten wont go near him and he never bothers the kitten, ever.
i think it is possible, but it is bound to be much easier when the cat is very young because they can get very proud about "owning" an area and dont like to be subservient.
i guess the easiest way is just to wait and try and properly introduce them when the dog seems most docile, therefore being less of a threat in the eyes of the cat.
i guess the easiest way is just to wait and try and properly introduce them when the dog seems most docile, therefore being less of a threat in the eyes of the cat.
An 8 year-old dog and a 2-year old cat.
Dog has been there from day 1 - cat introduced about a year ago.
Hissing and spitting in the first few days - but they soon settled down and just got on with it.
The cat hid upstairs for the 1st day or 2, and gradually got more confident. She'd come down and run back up again - but overall - no problems at all.
Now they are the best of mates. In fact - quite infuriatingly so ... the cat will jump up onto the kitchen worktops swipe any food onto the floor - where they both scoff it.
K
Dog has been there from day 1 - cat introduced about a year ago.
Hissing and spitting in the first few days - but they soon settled down and just got on with it.
The cat hid upstairs for the 1st day or 2, and gradually got more confident. She'd come down and run back up again - but overall - no problems at all.
Now they are the best of mates. In fact - quite infuriatingly so ... the cat will jump up onto the kitchen worktops swipe any food onto the floor - where they both scoff it.
K
Gazboy said:Thanks Gaz....er, whats this "bike" about which you speak?!!
I guess the easiest way is just to wait and try and properly introduce them when the dog seems most docile, therefore being less of a threat in the eyes of the cat.
There are mental (in a good way). Greg, it may be an idea to take her on a walk with you riding your bike to utterly knacker her out, then introduce them? I always do this with my Staffy if we are going to have guests- kinda takes the edge off him....
could always tie her to the back of the SL I suppose....They should be fine eventually Greg, but it will take time.
I woudl advise against locking the 2 of them in a room together however, it may get destroyed!!
Collies tend NOT to be cat chasers, so it 'should' be ok (some breeds you just cannot get the 2 to live together - Jack Russels for instance), as I said before, it just takes time for them to get used to each other, and the cat to get used to its new home.
Good luck.
I woudl advise against locking the 2 of them in a room together however, it may get destroyed!!
Collies tend NOT to be cat chasers, so it 'should' be ok (some breeds you just cannot get the 2 to live together - Jack Russels for instance), as I said before, it just takes time for them to get used to each other, and the cat to get used to its new home.
Good luck.
Greg, firstly congrats.
Secondly, our labrador hates cats. We had the misfortune to have to live with the Mother in Law for a few months whilst our money pit was being seemingly rebuilt (another story). The MIL has a cat and the two of them, shall we say, hated each other at first. The dog thought it good sport, the chase the cat out of the window. I thought it was funny, watching the dog trying to follow it. Anyway, the two of them calmed down after a while and were the best of friends. Bubbles (the cat) used to lick Bens (the dog) nose, when he was drifting off to snoozeland.
Familiarity breeds contempt as they say but in their two case, it bred a friendship. Aww.
Good luck Buddy!
>> Edited by anniesdad on Wednesday 1st March 14:30
Secondly, our labrador hates cats. We had the misfortune to have to live with the Mother in Law for a few months whilst our money pit was being seemingly rebuilt (another story). The MIL has a cat and the two of them, shall we say, hated each other at first. The dog thought it good sport, the chase the cat out of the window. I thought it was funny, watching the dog trying to follow it. Anyway, the two of them calmed down after a while and were the best of friends. Bubbles (the cat) used to lick Bens (the dog) nose, when he was drifting off to snoozeland.
Familiarity breeds contempt as they say but in their two case, it bred a friendship. Aww.
Good luck Buddy!
>> Edited by anniesdad on Wednesday 1st March 14:30
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