Help! Potential new dog advice .....

rising_from_the_ashes

OK, so having a look round as some of you know and I stumbled along a seemingly perfect dog:) - great in every way (3 years old, dog friendly, children friendly, current owners work & he's left all day etc etc) but - there had to be one .....

He's never had any interaction with cats :eek: - now I know every dog is different etc but just wondered if anyone has been in a similar situation & how did you introduce them, were their problems, did they settle down etc?

I should be able to arrange 1/2 days from work for the next couple of weeks without a problem ... but obviously dog & cats would be alone in the house in the mornings.

(TBH he'll probably be gone soon anway, but on the off-chance he's not ....)

Any advice gratefully received. TIA

Caroline_a

Different rooms? Crate? Even with a dog that loves cats you'd have to take it steady anyway.

My first Dane was a rescue and a total unknown quantity - we had 2 cats at the time. We just did it very steadily and in no time at all said Dane would wander into the lounge and manage with very little effort to knock both cats who were fast asleep off the back of the settee! Ever seen a Dane grin? and 2 exceptionally embarrassed cats as they scrabbled down the back trying to get a clawhold. Didn't stop them all curling up together in front of the fire though!

Fingers crossed for you!!

Person_one

I've never had cats so I can't advise but wanted to say that I really really hope it works out for Rising.

Can you keep cat and dog in separate parts of the house while you're not there at first? No chance of taking a chunk of annual leave?

Talk to the rescue, they might be able to help out by arranging a few visits, or they might have someone there with experience.

meritaten

in my experience the cat has been perfectly well able to look after itself! they soon train new dogs to the house and the fact the dog hasnt learned to chase/hate cats is a good omen!

rising_from_the_ashes

Thanks ..... it's a private rehoming (still having rescue "issues").

The only thing I've thought of so far is to put a baby gate on the kitchen (decent size) and keep him in there when I'm out (not something I'm keen on as Ben always had the run of the house to do as he choose - but DMs dog is kept in the kitchen (again big) at night / if she's out) ... but the cats could still get in.

It's funny as I rang last night & 2 people were going to see him so had ruled him out but the lady rang me tonight & one didn't turn up and the other said "he's too big" (what! - surely you've some idea of how big a Lab is before you think about taking one? - but I guess that could've been an excuse if they didn't "click".

I was going to see him tomorrow but have said I'll have a think about the cats situation (it's about a 2 hours drive!) and ..... (you may think I'm nuts here - if you don't already:rotfl:) - I'm very much a "if it's meant to be, it will be" .... so it it's meant, he'll still be there at the weekend.

meritaten - that's partly what I'm worried about! One of my cats is very jumpy and will just run (which may involve chasing :eek: & I have stairs) and the other will stand her ground and I know who would come off better.:eek:

Person_one

I think a baby gate is fine at first. Eventually you'll be able to get rid of it if things work out but it can be easier for some dogs to have a smaller space at first until they feel settled and calm. Having too much open space can make them anxious! Also, dog will still be able to see cat and get used to cat padding about and not being scary!

rising_from_the_ashes

mmmm thanks, hadn't thought of that.

Ben arrived on a Sunday afternoon and I was back at work on the Monday morning & couldn't get any time off - he wasn't "planned" and arrived with a bowl (and that is literally all - I had nothing, no food, bedding, bowls, baby gates etc!) looking back I was very lucky!:)

JayneC

Hi I recently acquired a dog (end of August) and have a very old cat with one eye so was nervous of them being together. Poppy (dog) had apparently never seen a cat!!! She's 18 months old, but apparently didn't go for many walks either so she's a nightmare with other dogs and new people too, but anyway that's another story. On first meeting Poppy was in a cage but started barking immediately and cat decidedly unimpressed, so I've since kept them apart. Poppy lives downstairs and Jasmin(cat) upstairs. They do occasional cross if Jasmin is on the stairs when I take Poppy out, and initially Poppy would go for Jasmin but after a few threatening hisses Poppy now stops dead and just looks if Jasmin is around - I think she's a bit scared. I had planned to put Poppy in her cage for a bit in an evening and allow Jasmin into the room so they got used to each other but decided that it was too stressful for all concerned (including me) so they just have different parts of the house and it works ok. Jasmin has a litter tray in the bathroom and her food on the landing.

Dollardog

When I lost a beloved dog some years back, I had a cat, the cat used to idolise the dog that died. When I had another dog from the same breeder, he was about two and a half years old and had never had any contact with cats. I just led him on his lead into the lounge where the cat was, the cat was obviously used to a dog being around so wasn't jumpy, the dog just wanted to sniff the cat as he hadn't really been close to one before. Ha ha, but the cat was the one that objected. he hissed at the dog!! When it was obvious that there wasn't going to be a chase situation, I just unclipped the lead and let them sort themselves out, the cat was well able to get out of the way if there had have been trouble, but there never was, in the end, the cat used to get in the dog's basket with him.
If you need to leave them alone in the house during the first week or so, I would do what the others suggest, either shut the dog in a seperate room until you are there to supervise, or get a baby gate for your kitchen.
You'll usually find that cats are well able to take care of themselves and only need to threaten a dog a couple of times with their claws and the dog soon learns to leave them alone!!

So glad you might have a new dog on the horizon, I live alone and I know how unbearable it is when you lose your friend and companion. No other dog will ever take Ben's place but they have their own character and do help to ease the pain. Just think how much Ben loved you, he wouldn't want you to be so upset and I'm sure he would want another dog there to look after you and protect you. Its a tribute to him that he has left a hole in your heart for another. Don't leave it till the weekend, go fetch him tomorrow, you are only prolonging your agony. Ben would want you to be happy again.
Wherever you go, Ben will always still be with you, so think how nice it will be that you are able to go on his favourite walks again.

Take care.

rising_from_the_ashes

Jayne thanks for the insight ...... fingers crossed yours do manage to interact and live happily together soon.

Dollar TBH wee cat adored Ben (and slept curled up next to him etc) and she is very feisty so think she'd soon put any dog in it's place and once the hissy fit was over would be fine (she has lived with Ben since she was 3 1/2 weeks old so doesn't know any different). Big cat ... he's really the one I'm worried about - he was here before Ben and although he was never bothered by him, he really never sought him out IYKWIM. He is also very skittish, would run etc etc.......Thank you for the lovely words .....


Well, really must go & get on as back to work in the morning & very unorganised:eek:. Hope to have some good news for you all soon xx

Dollardog

rising_from_the_ashes wrote: »

Jayne thanks for the insight ...... fingers crossed yours do manage to interact and live happily together soon.

Dollar TBH wee cat adored Ben (and slept curled up next to him etc) and she is very feisty so think she'd soon put any dog in it's place and once the hissy fit was over would be fine (she has lived with Ben since she was 3 1/2 weeks old so doesn't know any different). Big cat ... he's really the one I'm worried about - he was here before Ben and although he was never bothered by him, he really never sought him out IYKWIM. He is also very skittish, would run etc etc.......Thank you for the lovely words .....


Well, really must go & get on as back to work in the morning & very unorganised:eek:. Hope to have some good news for you all soon xx

As I say, my cat idolised the dog, he used to stare lovingly at her. When I got the new dog, that was a male and I think he couldn't understand why she had suddenly disappeared and another male had taken her place.
Just make sure that if there is any chance of the cat doing a runner when they first meet, that he can only run and hide in the house, make sure the doors are closed, I'm sure he'll soon tolerate the new one, like he did Ben.
Good luck.