fr0st Posted June 19, 2013 Share Posted June 19, 2013 So I have three cats and recently got a Yellow Labrador puppy. The idea behind getting a puppy was so that the cats would view it as non-threatening and find it easier to get along with than an adult dog. After some time they seem to have reached a sort of truce, but every now and then Casper will break protocol and have a joyous leap at them (wanting to play) but of course, they interpret this behavior as unnecessarily aggressive and either run away or hiss at him. Any tips from people more experienced with a harmonious household containing both cats and dogs? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Her Majesty Dogmad Posted June 19, 2013 Share Posted June 19, 2013 (edited) My friend's tip is to have somewhere secure (dog proof) for the cat litter tray - her dogs will tuck in at the first opportunity!! Don't leave your cat's food lying around - dogs will eat and it can given them diarrhoea. My friend feeds hers in high places! You need to give your cats a place to escape too. A Labrador may not have been the best choice - size and strength wise. They are a boisterous breed. I would always ensure you keep them separate when you aren't home, one bounce could easily harm a smaller animal and he's not going to stop for some years ... Edited June 19, 2013 by dogmad Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fr0st Posted June 19, 2013 Author Share Posted June 19, 2013 My friend's tip is to have somewhere secure (dog proof) for the cat litter tray - her dogs will tuck in at the first opportunity!! Don't leave your cat's food lying around - dogs will eat and it can given them diarrhoea. My friend feeds hers in high places! You need to give your cats a place to escape too. A Labrador may not have been the best choice - size and strength wise. They are a boisterous breed. I would always ensure you keep them separate when you aren't home, one bounce could easily harm a smaller animal and he's not going to stop for some years ... Good point about the cats! I forgot to mention that we found him om nom noming on some kitty poo as if they were cookies, so we have designated one room the Kitty sanctuary and barred it with a baby gate. That room is where they get fed and where their litter trays are kept. At the moment, the dynamic seems to be that the cats are happy to ignore him if he's sitting calmly somewhere, while his calmness starts to wane as soon as he spots a furry friend to play with. We're working on discouraging the signs leading up to a dash (deep voiced and firm NO to distract him from staring at the cats) and praising him if he spots a cat and does not try to run to them, so I am hoping they will settle in *eventually*. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mackiemad Posted June 19, 2013 Share Posted June 19, 2013 The cats need somewhere they feel safe- either a room, high spot or cat run where they can get away from him. Otherwise just keep doing what you're doing :) I personally always prepare and feed the cats first, wait until they're done and then set about with the dog's dinner. While the cats are eating I do some training nearby but not close enough to pee off the cats! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaseyKay Posted June 19, 2013 Share Posted June 19, 2013 Our 4 year old cat Essie lives with 4 active breed dogs. The older two dogs were brought up from puppies by our "big scary cat" Toby and his sidekick "evil white cat" (who we adopted as seniors and had been with us a while prior to these 2 dogs!) and they are generally very cautious around cats (as they learnt, go near cat = get whacked). Toby used to be able to remove either dog from a nice spot to sleep merely by looking at them and they would slink off. After they died a couple of years apart we got Essie as a kitten and Gael as a puppy not long after and they are the best of mates, this si the first time I have ever had a cat and a dog who are friends. Scout the Brittany is not loved by Essie as she likes to play by "bouncing" at the cat (she is not aggressive towards the cat, just overexcited by her). Essie likes to have high places she can get to that Scout can't reach. She also eats high up so the dogs don't bother her. We keep the door down to the bedrooms closed off to the dogs most of the time and the cat often sleeps in the bed. Last night it was cold and I had all 5 of them in the lounge with me including the brittany and the cat sharing the couch with me, so she doesn't mind Scout as long as Scout isn't bouncing at her! She never runs away from the pup, she just looks peeved off until I rescue her. She is very gentle, I don't think it would occur to her she has claws to defend herself with. We also have a courtyard area that is for the cat only and the dogs aren't allowed in there so she can roll around in the sun in peace :) Gael and Essie: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fr0st Posted June 19, 2013 Author Share Posted June 19, 2013 (edited) Speaking of cats interacting with dogs, has anyone seen this odd behavior where they keep their claws in and then rapidly thump the dog's face with both hands for a brief spurt? I'm assuming it's less threatening than hissing but a bit more than just "leave me alone". Edit: Not sure if I expressed it well enough, but this sort of slapping motion is what I mean: http://ohn1.slausworks.netdna-cdn.com/newohnblog/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/ohn_cats-aint_shyt_003.gif Clearly it's not meant to cause damage, right? Edited June 19, 2013 by fr0st Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Podengo Posted June 19, 2013 Share Posted June 19, 2013 Yeah Elliot does that to Elsie when she spends too much time trying to sniff his bum. Sometimes he does it when she runs past him and bumps into him too. This video of a cat licking a vacuum cleaner shows the behaviour pretty well, and is hilarious :D My link Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Spotted Devil Posted June 19, 2013 Share Posted June 19, 2013 (edited) One of mine is incredibly talented at dishing out just enough biffo to teach puppies some manners. Her judgement and timing are superb and I don't know how I'd teach the dogs respect without her! Her daughter just squeaks in protest and the foster failure plays rough and crazy so it's a rather mixed bunch. Pups and dogs here obey the house rules: 1. The cats rule 2. If in doubt refer to rule no. 1 No bullying from the cats allowed but I will back them to the hilt if pup is annoying them. No chasing - unless it's the foster failure because he loves and encourages it. Cats are fed up and away from the dogs, have high scratching posts to get away and a baby gate to leap over. It's not unusual to find dogs and cats sharing the central heating vent or a bed. The foster failure smooches the Dally, snuggles with the Springer and sees new puppies as another toy. It's a pretty harmonious multi pet household despite a fair dose of crazy. Edited June 19, 2013 by The Spotted Devil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nushie Posted June 19, 2013 Share Posted June 19, 2013 Our cat Kira was 5 when we got Jager as a pup. They have never been "friends" but they just ignore each other for the most part. If Kira runs Jager will chase her but as soon as she stops he stops and just walks away. Kira was always a very timid cat though and if we have visitors in the house she just disappears. I would separate your cats and pup while you are not there until things settle down but always make sure that even when you are there that the cats have somewhere that they can go to that the dog cant, maybe a room or a cat climber. Also if you have a crate, try putting your pup in there and allowing the cats to investigate and sniff the pup without being threatened. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fr0st Posted June 19, 2013 Author Share Posted June 19, 2013 Some great tips in here already. Thanks very much, everyone! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mummamia Posted June 20, 2013 Share Posted June 20, 2013 (edited) Speaking of cats interacting with dogs, has anyone seen this odd behavior where they keep their claws in and then rapidly thump the dog's face with both hands for a brief spurt? I'm assuming it's less threatening than hissing but a bit more than just "leave me alone". Edit: Not sure if I expressed it well enough, but this sort of slapping motion is what I mean: http://ohn1.slausworks.netdna-cdn.com/newohnblog/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/ohn_cats-aint_shyt_003.gif Clearly it's not meant to cause damage, right? Absolutely, I still watch the video of my cattle x (since passed away) and the 'boy cat' who were the best of mates and regularly had boxing sessions, well the cat boxed and the dog ducked. They loved each others company and wrestled regularly... I haven't had any problems with a further 3 dogs and 4 cats living in harmony, as well as various fosters and visitors. I am very cautious with the initial interactions and don't take unnecessary chances. I have refused some friends from bringing their dogs in my home. Cats food is always kept up on bench and furniture has to kept in place so cats can get up easily. If you don't the cats would never get to eat. Now its cold all 5 (currently - 3 dogs, 2 cats) want to be on the bed in the room with the heater. Yeah not everyones' cup of tea but I'm happy to share... It's likely the cats will sort out the dog and they will live in harmony. He's a puppy and everything is a play toy. Accidents can happen but sounds like your doing everything right. Enjoy the show... Edited June 20, 2013 by Mummamia Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RiverStar-Aura Posted June 20, 2013 Share Posted June 20, 2013 My two dogs and cat don't get along at all. All they do is bark in her face and chase her if she runs away. She's 10 1/2 and not a feisty cat so they all stay separated. If the cat wants to play outside, the dogs get locked on one side of the fence and the cat has the other half. She doesn't leave our backyard so putting up a dividing fence was our only option. The dogs have a too high prey drive for me to stop them chasing the cat so rather than force them to get along, this was the best solution for us. The only problem with the dogs is that they just want to play and Callie the grumpy cat doesn't do play. Perhaps if she was younger we would've worked on this but we're all happy with the current arrangement. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Justrace Posted June 20, 2013 Share Posted June 20, 2013 Our cat used to sleep with our last dog and would also play in the back yard with her. The cat thinks it's a dog & will chase the ball and run after the kids when they're playing the garden. Then we got Murphy. When he was a puppy the cat would climb into the play pen with him & of course jump out when she'd had enough. Now Murphy just wants to chase her, she gives him a few good swipes - but obviously not with claws out because he just keeps going until she runs away. Sometimes when Murphy hasn't noticed her the cat will try and rub up against him and then it starts. If I am doing training with him the cat comes out to taunt him, I'm sure she knows that he is on a lead LOL. Hoping that one day we will have peace between them Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mita Posted June 20, 2013 Share Posted June 20, 2013 The cats need somewhere they feel safe- either a room, high spot or cat run where they can get away from him. Otherwise just keep doing what you're doing :) I agree with this. But only add, I always feed the cat separately from the dogs.... who are also fed separately. I was able to ask for an adult cat that would be fine with our Tibbie girls, when I got a cat from the UQ Adoption Program. They had 30 cats that'd spent a year at the Uni (with loads of stimulation & socialisation) in a non-invasive research project (diet). All were rescued from pounds. The staff tested the cats to see how they got on around dogs & put them into 4 categories. First group were super-friendly around dogs. They initiated friendly contact. Second group just accepted a dog in the same area. Third group were a little reactive... a hiss or spit or two... but it was felt they'd adjust to their 'own' dog in their 'own' environment. Last group were labelled... 'never to be rehomed with a dog.' We picked one from the second group who just watched & accepted a dog. This 'nature' was very like the Tibbies themselves (who are a bit cat-like). We didn't pick one from the super-friendly group as it could be overwhelming for them. And.... yes.... they worked out fine. And the cat, Sarah, actually identifies with the Tibbies (& her bestest friend, the Tibbie next door). It's like owning a Tibbie that's dressed up as a cat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OSoSwift Posted June 20, 2013 Share Posted June 20, 2013 In my house there is the steadfast rule that cats are never chased ever! Our dogs and cats get along really well but I never leave them together unsupervised. Boo our oldest cat lays with and smooches the dogs and will sleep by their dog runic they are confined - even in the rain at times. Any sniff her bum to hard, try to chase her or generally annoy crap out of her and she flogs them. Claws in the first time, then game on. Our working BC has even found the abity to ignore his chase instinct and gives her respectful distance. Harry we got as the naughtiest kitten ever and he and Lewis play quite happily but again always supervised just incase the inner Whippet tries to come out and treat him like prey. In October we got two adult cats who had never been around dogs. One is very laid back about everything do fitted in quite quickly, the other was a little more reserved but since Sphynx and Whippets both week out the warmest spot in the house, they are now often seen sleeping together. The Sphynx - one especially would flog any dog who decided to try and play too roughly or chase. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Spotted Devil Posted June 20, 2013 Share Posted June 20, 2013 Play time...one guess who the instigator is!!! He is a MOST unusual cat :laugh: Sleep time... I need a bigger lap!!! Even so, I am missing one of the Burmese girls in this pic....usually I have 3 cats and a Springer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mita Posted June 20, 2013 Share Posted June 20, 2013 I love those pics! Especially the attack of the Killer Cat & the pair of Sleeping Beauties. Our cat, Sarah, has a great friendship with Lily, the Tibbie next door. They run & chase each other, all over the house, with mats flying They don't care who's the chaser & who's the chasee. And when they catch up with each other, Lily covers Sarah with Tibbie kisses. In all their nonsense, never, ever do they hurt each other. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Staff'n'Toller Posted June 20, 2013 Share Posted June 20, 2013 Play time...one guess who the instigator is!!! He is a MOST unusual cat :laugh: Not a cat, just a dog with pointy fingers. :laugh: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Spotted Devil Posted June 20, 2013 Share Posted June 20, 2013 Play time...one guess who the instigator is!!! He is a MOST unusual cat :laugh: Not a cat, just a dog with pointy fingers. :laugh: And opposable bloody thumbs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dancinbcs Posted June 20, 2013 Share Posted June 20, 2013 Speaking of cats interacting with dogs, has anyone seen this odd behavior where they keep their claws in and then rapidly thump the dog's face with both hands for a brief spurt? I'm assuming it's less threatening than hissing but a bit more than just "leave me alone". Edit: Not sure if I expressed it well enough, but this sort of slapping motion is what I mean: http://ohn1.slausworks.netdna-cdn.com/newohnblog/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/ohn_cats-aint_shyt_003.gif Clearly it's not meant to cause damage, right? The cat I had when I got my first BC puppy used to bop him on the head to make him behave but she never had her claws out. The puppy naturally wanted her to play because she was black and white and fluffy just like him and about the same size to start with. She taught him and all that came after him to respect cats very well. When I had litters she would make a point of walking through the puppy yard and standing still, head up, tail up, just to let them know who was in charge. She never ever scratched one of the dogs and they never chased her. She was a fussy eater who liked to eat one mouthful at a time many times a day. Her and the first dog had a system worked out were she would ask for food, have the tiniest bit and let the dog eat the rest. Sometimes she didn't even have one bite after asking for it but the dog loved the arrangement. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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