Cat's not adapting to new puppy.

[hbwright]

I have two 11 year old cats (black cat and siamese mix) and one 3 year old cat (mac tabby). The older ones have lived with puppies before but our last puppy was about 9 1/2 years ago and since then they've been adults. They've never liked them but tollerated them. The younger cat was a stray that we took in to have her babies and found homes for the babies and kept the mommy. She's probably never been around a puppy in her life.

We brought home Jordan, doberman, when he was 14 weeks old, 5 weeks ago. Jordan showed no interest in the cats for the first week and after that only casual interest by stopping to look and sniff. The cats have a hissy fit. He has never pounced on them but when they have their fit he has started believe it means play time. He is learning that they mean business and he leaves them alone when they paw at him. Again, he has never pounced, mouthed or anything at all. He has licked on the siamese when there is a quiet occasion on the couch during night time cuddling before the cat realizes it is the dog doing the licking.

I thought they would learn to tollerate him in time and learn that he isn't hurting them. They are still hiding and keeping their distance but anytime he is visable they hiss and sound the sirens.

I've been working hard at giving them lots of cuddles and love anytime they are around and even sit between the pup and the cat while petting both to give them positive time together.

They have been around dogs their entire lives, just not puppies. Is this something that will improve with time? Is there anything else that I can do. They have safe places and I am around all the time but this just seems to be lasting too long and to the point that I'm really starting to worry. I'm not understanding this because the pup has never done anything to have them so uptight besides just being there. Honestly if they would stop the hissing and screeching he would probably give them no more then a sniff of interest. They are the ones that are making it a lot worse then it should be but I can't seem to comfort them.

 

[Barb04]

From my experience, cats will come around when they decide it's the best time. My one cat practically lives right on top of the dogs. My other one hisses at them and is content to sit on his perch and do what he wants to when they're not around.

 

[ToscasMom]

Give them a bit more time and they will sort it out. Long as they aren't hurting the puppy, things are better than you may think. They are just making sure the pup knows they are in charge. I had similar problems in the beginning and even my cat who always hisses can be found sleeping with my dog. They will work it out, I'm sure.

 

[mjb]

My last cat taught his puppy VERY quickly who was boss, and there was never any problem after that. He never loved that dog, but they resided side by side without a quarrel.

My present cats stayed out of the way more when he was a ppuppy, and this dog was more persistent as a puppy. Therefore, it took alot longer. After a year, both cats were still trying to stay away from the dog. I was beginning to think they would always lead separate lives. Two years later, they exist together, and they even interact with each other. They still hiss at him when he gets too 'happy' that they are letting him be part of the group. He knocks it off when they tell him, though. (One cat still trys to stay away from him if possible, but she also tries to stay away from everybody but her 2 favorite people, and even likes to be alone rather than with the other cat....she's very choosy about who she hangs out with).

 

[hbwright]

Thanks y'all. I didn't expect them to really adjust fast but I thought there would be some slight improvement. I guess anytime the youngest cat comes downstairs is an improvement at this point. I think they are anxious for this little pup to grow up and be a "normal" dog, meaning afraid of them.

 

[ToscasMom]

I guess anytime the youngest cat comes downstairs is an improvement at this point.

Exactly. hb, it's just that Cat Time and our time don't usually coincide in these things. Just let it take its course in Cat Time. It won't be warp speed, I can guarantee it, but one day you will notice that everybody is adapting.

 

[SpringerDog]

Two steps forward and one back is a good way to describe introducing pets to each other. Gosh, we love them all so much, don't they know they will love each other?
I have three cats and brought Fergus into the house. The Siamese adores him, grooms him. The other Siamese mix runs from him, so he chases him and now it's a game with those two. The third cat is a tabby (former outside stray) who has lived under the sofa since he came. It's been eight weeks and she is just starting to come out again at night, when he is sleeping. I was worried, but she's coming around.
Hang in there and things will get better. Puppies are a special problem since they don't have any boundaries yet. Your cats are smart and will come around when things settle down. It just takes longer than you would like or expect sometimes.

 

[hbwright]

Yes it does take a lot longer then I expected. I actually expected more of this from the girls, not my sweet siamese boy. He loves everything and would just love for my oldest dog to cuddle with him or give him any attention, but when the puppy is in sight he turns into a siren that would rival any fire truck. The puppy has no idea why they do this and either completely ignores them right away or if he is in a playfull mood will pounce and give a little bark before taking off to sulk. He does try to sneak up on the siamese (the only one that will even get close enough), inching toward him to lick him on the rear when he is not expecting it. LOL.

 

[ToscasMom]

Well the pecking order and interaction in my house is kind of strange too, comes with the territory. I have three cats, had four when Tosca arrived but lost my Vinny last November. Anyways, Mojo and Tosca are always near each other. I am not sure if they are an act or a team. Tosca makes all her best noises pretending Mojo is beating the crap out of her. I have never seen a mark on either of them in the past year. So, although it SOUNDs serious sometimes, it isn't. Their playtime is riotuous to say the least, and it is really clear that Mojo Rules and Tosca has learned to live with it. Now my cat Roni and Tosca have a more docile relationship. Tosca chases roni less, pesters him less and is more apt to wash him. Pretty often I find all three of them sleeping together or at least in the same room. My third cat is my late mother's cat and she is 18. She is hissy in a cordial way and prefers to stay upstairs where Tosca doesn't bother to tread much. It's almost as if Tosca respects her age and allows her her own portion of the domain to herself. Should Tosca see Roni and Mojo having a minor ruckus, which isn't a ruckus at all, but more of the typical rough play, it disturbs Tosca immensely and she feels the need to "break it up". So overall, things are good here but only because each of my pets have kind of set their limits and once in awhile Tosca has to be corrected by Mojo. lol. It did take awhile for all of this to unfold into what it is today.

This morning, I took out a catnip "sock" that someone sent me with this very potent catnip in it, and I gave it to Mojo and Roni to get snockered over. The stuff is so strong, one whiff and they are goofs. I went upstairs and did a few things and returned downstairs just in time to watch Tosca with the "sock" in her mouth, standing on the couch taunting the two cats and getting their sock good and spitty. I thought it was amazing that they even let her get away with it. I do think it was poetic justice for all of her toys they hide though.

 

[ToscasMom]

It wasn't ALWAYS like this

 

[LhasaLover]

OMG, how cute is that????? Adorable!

 

[ToscasMom]

TY Lhasa.

 

[hbwright]

Awww, thanks for rubbing it in Tosca's mom. Boy, I might just keel over and have a heart attack when that happens. I always thought Zeus would love having a pup that would actually pay attention to him and not run from him. he REALLY wants Summer (the senior dog) to pay attention and cuddle but Summer wants nothing to do with him. Then, anytime Jordan is in the room the siren whails. I am greatful that the pup is so patient with them though, it could be a LOT worse. Especially with the pup getting up there in size.

 

[smkie]

i had a friend that had brought home a dog and that was the last time his cat touched the floor. From that day on the cat went from the sofa to the piano to the kitchen counter and so on. Most cats and dogs however make their peace eventually.

 

[ToscasMom]

OMG Smkie, that's soooooooo funny!