Cat + new dog experiences?

saleda

Hi, we have a 4 year old cat who has lived with us for 2 years. We are thinking of getting a small dog, probably a bichon for its temperament etc. Have no idea how the cat might react to this so would be interested to hear others experiences in this area. Thanks in advance.

sambuka41

I had pretty much the same situation! Had my guy 2 and half years then got a dog. I'd say it depends on the cat and the dog. My cat is very assertive (a bully really) so he didnt care about the dog. Initially the smell bothered him, he wouldn't come into the sitting room but he got over it once he realised she wasn't leaving!!!

She is good with him and they play together every once in a while. She knows that he is the number 1 in the house, he gets fed first and get priority on the couch!! Its helped them get along better cause he doesnt feel threatened by her.

good luck

saleda

That's good to hear. I am more worried that my cat will be so upset that he'll run away! But I guess that isn't likely to happen.

Thanks for your reply.

Zapperzy

A lot of it has to do with the introduction. The first time they meet have the dog on a lead or in a crate so that he cannot chase the cat and don't force the cat to meet him, just let him sniff the new dog and figure it out for himself in his own time. Always make sure that there's somewhere for the cat to retreat to if he freaks out, preferably somewhere up high as cats feel most comfortable up high, you'l probably find he'l sit somewhere up high for the first while just observing the new four-legged addition anyways.
Make sure the cat still gets the same level of affection and attention as before so he doesn't feel left out and decide to go elsewhere for attention.

I done everything all wrong and just opened the door and released a cat chasing terrier into the house with a terrified of her own shadow cat which resulted in her having to be pulled down from on top of the kitchen units in a complete state of terror. 3 years later their still not perfect together and she still gets the odd chase from him but it's a lot better than those first few months in which I nearly pulled my hair out in frustration and spent manys a night contemplating whether I had done the right thing in getting a dog in the first place!

Are you getting a puppy or an older dog? What's your cat like? Is she a scared of her own shadow cat like mine or more confident?

saleda

Great advice there, thanks! Your second paragraph had me in knots laughing... sorry

Our cat is quite shy, especially with strangers but with us, he's absolutely fine. I think we would have to keep them apart for a while and gradually introduce them and hope it all works out. It's not an easy decision.

We are hoping to get a bichon puppy but that could be 9 months away from now. Before making a decision, I just want to be sure it's right for us.

brenglee

I think the cat will be upset but won't run away,especially if you give him treats and nice food.
But I urge you to rescue a dog,rather than buy one.
I know someone who has a Bichon and he's a vicious thing. He has a
really hard bark that would go thru your brain!
I had a rescue dog for 17yrs and she was loyal and graceful and
beautiful.
Cats keep dogs in their place.

Queen-Mise

brenglee wrote: »

I think the cat will be upset but won't run away,especially if you give him treats and nice food.
But I urge you to rescue a dog,rather than buy one.
I know someone who has a Bichon and he's a vicious thing. He has a
really hard bark that would go thru your brain!
I had a rescue dog for 17yrs and she was loyal and graceful and
beautiful.
Cats keep dogs in their place.

Your friends dog is probably rearing rather than the breed Bichon. Any dog (maybe smaller dog anyway) could be like that.

I stop the dogs from barking in the house - wrecks my head, especially when trying to watch telly. And I'll tell them to stop outside as well if it goes on for over ten minutes 'ish'. The older dog has a probably the bigger problem with this - as he takes serious issue with any tractors etc around the back of the house. We had some fun when our neighbour put a goat around the side of the house :rolleyes::rolleyes:

As for cats & dogs OP - I know nothing. I have the dogs already and know they chase cats. So I couldn't ever get a cat.

Zapperzy

brenglee wrote: »

I think the cat will be upset but won't run away,especially if you give him treats and nice food.
But I urge you to rescue a dog,rather than buy one.
I know someone who has a Bichon and he's a vicious thing. He has a
really hard bark that would go thru your brain!
I had a rescue dog for 17yrs and she was loyal and graceful and
beautiful.
Cats keep dogs in their place.

In fairness I also know someone with a bichon who is a lovely little dog, I also know a boxer who would gladly maul anyone but his owner, a labrador that has on more than one occasion snapped at me, a chihuahua that snarls and barks at whoever looks at him, doesn't mean that all boxers, labradors and chihuahuas are vicious. It's all in the bringing up, let a dog away with anything, never socialise or train him or set any rules or boundaries and of course you'l end up with a nervous/aggressive/unpredictable and potentially dangerous dog!

Often a cat or a dog will accept their 'own' furry family members of a different species but will still be nervous or chase other 'strange' members of the opposite species, so most likely given time and patience they will learn to at least tolerate each other enough to live in relative peace. My dog will still go mad to chase strange cats and my cat will still freak out completely if she sees a strange dog outside the window yet I have photographic proof that they have cuddled up beside each other on more than one occasion!