I wish I could have a cat!
- Thread starter Lizmo
- Start date
it is sooo hard to go to some of those petfinder sites knowing that these cats and dogs time may be up any day (not trying to make you feel guilty or anything
) How do you know your dog does not like cats. My dog would flip out when he saw a cat, he would chase cry bark and just go nuts. When we got Neko (cat) we were afraid Max (dog) would try to kill him but he just got wicked excited and tried to chase him, we trained Max not to chase Neko in no time, and of course once Neko was not scared of Max he would not run so there was no reason to chase. He acted the same way when we got our second cat Willie and was constantly up his but and every time Willie moved Max would sorta start to chase, but once Willie was not new or threatening any more Max did not care about the cat and now the all sleep together on my bed. I'm sure if Max saw a cat out side he would chase and kill it. He sees these two cats as part of his family but not other cats.
There are lots of ways to slowly introduce cats to dogs, if you are very worried or have tried to get a cat before and it did not work out then don't try it again. I was just wondering why you think your dog hates cats.
) How do you know your dog does not like cats. My dog would flip out when he saw a cat, he would chase cry bark and just go nuts. When we got Neko (cat) we were afraid Max (dog) would try to kill him but he just got wicked excited and tried to chase him, we trained Max not to chase Neko in no time, and of course once Neko was not scared of Max he would not run so there was no reason to chase. He acted the same way when we got our second cat Willie and was constantly up his but and every time Willie moved Max would sorta start to chase, but once Willie was not new or threatening any more Max did not care about the cat and now the all sleep together on my bed. I'm sure if Max saw a cat out side he would chase and kill it. He sees these two cats as part of his family but not other cats.There are lots of ways to slowly introduce cats to dogs, if you are very worried or have tried to get a cat before and it did not work out then don't try it again. I was just wondering why you think your dog hates cats.
Aww, hang in there! I know that feeling. I wanted a cat sooo much but my mom did not like cats at all and she was allergic to them. . .I thought I would never get one. . .but right now there are two little fluffballs on the couch with Lucy.
Are you sure Major couldn't handle a cat? If you introduce them properly maybe it would work?
It'll work out one way or another. (((((hugs)))))
Are you sure Major couldn't handle a cat? If you introduce them properly maybe it would work?
It'll work out one way or another.
(((((hugs)))))
I also think you may be surprised how quickly Major accepts a cat especially if you bring it in as a very small kitten. I had cats before Skye and after they passed have since got two more. They're one big happy family now.
But that situation is different I know. Many years before I was advised by a vet that my adult, male unneutered GSD was fretting because my work hours had extended and he was bored. I had a girl come in and walk him in the middle of the day but that wasn't enough. He advised me to go to the local RSPCA and pick the tiniest kitten I could find. That's how I got my Boods.
The first thing the little madam did was high dive off a counter and plough head first into Max's food dish. He picked her up in his mouth and I nearly died! He trotted away from me into the living room where he spat the cat out and returned unruffled to his dish.
Poor Boods was soggy but unhurt and she proceeded to torment Max for as long as I had him. Then she tortured Skye until the day she died at 22 yo.
But that situation is different I know. Many years before I was advised by a vet that my adult, male unneutered GSD was fretting because my work hours had extended and he was bored. I had a girl come in and walk him in the middle of the day but that wasn't enough. He advised me to go to the local RSPCA and pick the tiniest kitten I could find. That's how I got my Boods.
The first thing the little madam did was high dive off a counter and plough head first into Max's food dish. He picked her up in his mouth and I nearly died! He trotted away from me into the living room where he spat the cat out and returned unruffled to his dish.
Poor Boods was soggy but unhurt and she proceeded to torment Max for as long as I had him. Then she tortured Skye until the day she died at 22 yo.
Thanks everyone!
Max, yes Major would and does bark at ANY cat he sees outside, seeing as our neighbors have about 3 or 4 cats put together. And he would probably kill one if he had the chance to outside, but that has never happend! *sigh*
I would LOVE to have one! And maybe your right, if we slowly introduced one into the family, he would get used to it, but my main problem in that my dad is dead-set that Major hates "all" cats So that would be the real problem.
But what would happen IF we did get a cat, and slowly introduced them, but Major still did not like the cat? I would hate for us to bring it back to the shelter
But now that I think about it, I have fostered about 8 TINYYYY kitties that were going to be put down if some thing was not done(and then later found homes for them all) He saw them a few times and did not do anything. He would sit with his head titled at the door wondering what was out there lol
*sigh* now all I have to do is convince my parents.........
Max, yes Major would and does bark at ANY cat he sees outside, seeing as our neighbors have about 3 or 4 cats put together. And he would probably kill one if he had the chance to outside, but that has never happend! *sigh*
I would LOVE to have one! And maybe your right, if we slowly introduced one into the family, he would get used to it, but my main problem in that my dad is dead-set that Major hates "all" cats
So that would be the real problem. But what would happen IF we did get a cat, and slowly introduced them, but Major still did not like the cat? I would hate for us to bring it back to the shelter
But now that I think about it, I have fostered about 8 TINYYYY kitties that were going to be put down if some thing was not done(and then later found homes for them all
) He saw them a few times and did not do anything. He would sit with his head titled at the door wondering what was out there lol*sigh* now all I have to do is convince my parents.........
what breed is Major sometimes there are problems when introducing high prey drive dogs like Border collies, Aussies, pit bulls, and huskies although i have heard of them getting along anyway. When getting from a shelter you can always ask if a certain cat has lived with dogs which will help if he/she has so that she will be less likely to run or hiss at Major. Some dogs may end up ignoring the cat and some will sleep with them and if you have a small dog they may play. My cat Neko plays with my uncles shih-tzu(and wins every match) He'll head lock the dog and then flip her over, it's so funny. If there is no way Major will except the cat after you have tried with introductions(there are lots of ways to introduce, try them all!) Then try re homing the cat yourself, maybe with a family member so you can still see her.
If you want to know some methods on introducing just ask and i'll tell you all the ones i know. And if you want breed recommendations i'm very pro Siamese (traditional, as i like the look better) they are some what dog like in that they will easily be trained fetch and are vocal to the point whee you can have conversations with them(well i like that anyway) many siamese also love to greet strangers one of my cats hides while the other one comes out and starts rubbing everybody and begging for attention. My Siamese Willie is also a shoulder cat in that if you bend over he jumps on your back and crawls on your shoulder, or if you hold him he rests himself across your shoulder. I never rally wanted cats because the cats i knew always were either outside or avoided you at all costs. My cats don't do that because they are of a social breed and kind up bringing and i love Siamese for their social nature. Everyone likes cats for different reasons but as a dog person i thought maybe you would like a somewhat dog-like cat, just my opinion.
I hope you can get a cat as they can be really rewarding to have around.
If you want to know some methods on introducing just ask and i'll tell you all the ones i know. And if you want breed recommendations i'm very pro Siamese (traditional, as i like the look better) they are some what dog like in that they will easily be trained fetch and are vocal to the point whee you can have conversations with them(well i like that anyway) many siamese also love to greet strangers one of my cats hides while the other one comes out and starts rubbing everybody and begging for attention. My Siamese Willie is also a shoulder cat in that if you bend over he jumps on your back and crawls on your shoulder, or if you hold him he rests himself across your shoulder. I never rally wanted cats because the cats i knew always were either outside or avoided you at all costs. My cats don't do that because they are of a social breed and kind up bringing and i love Siamese for their social nature. Everyone likes cats for different reasons but as a dog person i thought maybe you would like a somewhat dog-like cat, just my opinion.
I hope you can get a cat as they can be really rewarding to have around.
Major is our 9 year old Stand. Poodle
Yes, I would LOVE to know some ways to introduce a dog/cat! Thanks!
And Lizzie LOVED the kittens I fostered, we let her sniff one and she started to lick him So I really have no doupt she would love one, lol, she may even try and play, seeing as Major does not play as much any more.
I really would love to get one, I just don't know if my parents would go for it, But I have told me mom I want one before, she like totally freaked :lol-sign:
Oh, I would like one with some what long, white fur! Awww, my cousin has the sweetest cat ever like that!
Thanks so much Max!
Oh, and I would also think that they are less money to take car of, not that I am saying they are any easier, but it is like have a big dog compared to a small dog in terms of Cost or food, shots ect, Right? That would be a big thing with me parents
Yes, I would LOVE to know some ways to introduce a dog/cat! Thanks!
And Lizzie LOVED the kittens I fostered, we let her sniff one and she started to lick him
So I really have no doupt she would love one, lol, she may even try and play, seeing as Major does not play as much any more. I really would love to get one, I just don't know if my parents would go for it, But I have told me mom I want one before, she like totally freaked :lol-sign:
Oh, I would like one with some what long, white fur! Awww, my cousin has the sweetest cat ever like that!
Thanks so much Max!
Oh, and I would also think that they are less money to take car of, not that I am saying they are any easier, but it is like have a big dog compared to a small dog in terms of Cost or food, shots ect, Right? That would be a big thing with me parents
yeah the cost will be much less for food and you won't have to worry about obedience classes.
There are a lot of ways to introduce them, and luckily it is much easier to get a resident dog to accept a new cat than it is to get a resident cat to accept a new dog. You should give the cat his own room with food water and a litter box, come and give the kitty attention and play time. get a towel and rub the cat down with the towel being sure to get the entire towel full of the cats scent. Then put the towel under your dogs food bowl when you feed him so that he associates the cats smell with good things. Do not do any meetings for a couple of days after you get the cat to make sure the cat is settled in. After a couple of days put the cat in a crate and let the dog come in and sniff the kitty through the bars. If your dog shows any aggression (barking grabbing the crate with teeth, a lot of growling) then remove the dog from the room. Next time try with your dog on a leash and have him sit by the crate to keep him from getting over excited. Do this for a couple of days and then put the dog in a crate and let the cat walk around and sniff him. Give the dog some treats for good behavior. You can also switch the pets by letting the dog come into the cats room and letting the cat have the run of the house for an hour and then switch them back so that they can get used to each others smell (careful, some dogs love the taste of litter box poop). You can eventually bring your dog to the doorway of the cats room and using a leash or a baby gate allow the dog to watch the cat from the doorway. Use a baby gate for many of the introductions as if the cat is comfortable enough you can entice him to come over to the gate so that the cat and dog are eye to eye. Do the gate intro a lot so that they become very use to each others presents. You can eventually bring the dog into the cats room and close the door, have the dog on a leash and have him lie down, and you can sit next to him telling him how good he is. the cat will most likely come and sniff the dog and will also probably hiss especially if the dog moves. That's all right just keep the dog lying there. The cat will also prefer if the dogs head does not turn toward him. If the dog seems really mellow with the cat, you can back off but keep the leash on the dog in case he starts chasing or snapping at the cat. If the cat can't run much than the dog will not chase so having the cat in a smaller room would help. For a few days do these meeting where you bring the dog in and have him lie or sit for a couple of minutes and then let him up and walk around the room Once the cat is comfortable and they both seem good with each other you can open the door and let them out, keep a close eye on them and make sure you know where the cat is as they can be very mischievous there first times out. For the first two weeks or so that you let him have the run of the house i would have the cat sleep in his room at night and be in his room whenever you are not there. over time you can let the cat out at night and when your not there but be very careful at first.
Depending on your dog and cat this could take longer or slower than i have said. With my first cat we were not sure how Max would react so it took about a month. With the second cat we knew Max was good with cats so it only took about three days (although the second cat did not like max as much as the first one). Like i mentioned earlier if you get a cat that is already used to dogs it may be easier, as the cat is more likely to come up to the dog as opposed to hiding, and will also be less likely to run causing the dog to chase. If the dog does start to chase say come or leave it and praise him with a treat for responding.
When you first let the cat have the run of the house it is helpful to keep the gate up at the door of his special room so if he is spooked or just wants to get away from the dog, he can climb the gate but the dog can't.
Hope i helped if you want any more help/advice please ask!
There are a lot of ways to introduce them, and luckily it is much easier to get a resident dog to accept a new cat than it is to get a resident cat to accept a new dog. You should give the cat his own room with food water and a litter box, come and give the kitty attention and play time. get a towel and rub the cat down with the towel being sure to get the entire towel full of the cats scent. Then put the towel under your dogs food bowl when you feed him so that he associates the cats smell with good things. Do not do any meetings for a couple of days after you get the cat to make sure the cat is settled in. After a couple of days put the cat in a crate and let the dog come in and sniff the kitty through the bars. If your dog shows any aggression (barking grabbing the crate with teeth, a lot of growling) then remove the dog from the room. Next time try with your dog on a leash and have him sit by the crate to keep him from getting over excited. Do this for a couple of days and then put the dog in a crate and let the cat walk around and sniff him. Give the dog some treats for good behavior. You can also switch the pets by letting the dog come into the cats room and letting the cat have the run of the house for an hour and then switch them back so that they can get used to each others smell (careful, some dogs love the taste of litter box poop). You can eventually bring your dog to the doorway of the cats room and using a leash or a baby gate allow the dog to watch the cat from the doorway. Use a baby gate for many of the introductions as if the cat is comfortable enough you can entice him to come over to the gate so that the cat and dog are eye to eye. Do the gate intro a lot so that they become very use to each others presents. You can eventually bring the dog into the cats room and close the door, have the dog on a leash and have him lie down, and you can sit next to him telling him how good he is. the cat will most likely come and sniff the dog and will also probably hiss especially if the dog moves. That's all right just keep the dog lying there. The cat will also prefer if the dogs head does not turn toward him. If the dog seems really mellow with the cat, you can back off but keep the leash on the dog in case he starts chasing or snapping at the cat. If the cat can't run much than the dog will not chase so having the cat in a smaller room would help. For a few days do these meeting where you bring the dog in and have him lie or sit for a couple of minutes and then let him up and walk around the room Once the cat is comfortable and they both seem good with each other you can open the door and let them out, keep a close eye on them and make sure you know where the cat is as they can be very mischievous there first times out. For the first two weeks or so that you let him have the run of the house i would have the cat sleep in his room at night and be in his room whenever you are not there. over time you can let the cat out at night and when your not there but be very careful at first.
Depending on your dog and cat this could take longer or slower than i have said. With my first cat we were not sure how Max would react so it took about a month. With the second cat we knew Max was good with cats so it only took about three days (although the second cat did not like max as much as the first one). Like i mentioned earlier if you get a cat that is already used to dogs it may be easier, as the cat is more likely to come up to the dog as opposed to hiding, and will also be less likely to run causing the dog to chase. If the dog does start to chase say come or leave it and praise him with a treat for responding.
When you first let the cat have the run of the house it is helpful to keep the gate up at the door of his special room so if he is spooked or just wants to get away from the dog, he can climb the gate but the dog can't.
Hope i helped if you want any more help/advice please ask!
Update!
Okay, so I talked to my dad today and he said he would think about it!!!! YAY! I think he is leaning toward getting one also, since I told him about your story Max, THANKS!
Thank you soooooo much for your help! And I know that I will have tons of questions( like how to litter box train)
That is great advice, Max, I would have never thought of that! Awsome Awsome Awsome! Thanks so much and you bet I will be following it!
And I am pretty sure it will be a young/kitten so that we know that the cat will be okay with the dog.
Thanks!
Okay, so I talked to my dad today and he said he would think about it!!!! YAY!
I think he is leaning toward getting one also, since I told him about your story Max, THANKS! Thank you soooooo much for your help! And I know that I will have tons of questions( like how to litter box train
)That is great advice, Max, I would have never thought of that!
Awsome Awsome Awsome! Thanks so much and you bet I will be following it! And I am pretty sure it will be a young/kitten so that we know that the cat will be okay with the dog.
Thanks!
Well, my dad said no
I am just so down right now....I feel like I have lost some thing I nver had.....
So thanks so so much Maz for all your help and info...I feel really bad about all the trouble you went through
Oh and his reason was because my sis and bro have to get an animal before me, so my brother wants a dog, and may get one in the year...but he just doesn't know much or have a "passion" for dogs So I fear that ofter the newness where's off, that he will sorta forget about it, and it will be like my dog
And then after that my sister gets a cat....
*sigh* and I will probably be in College by then....
I am just so down right now....I feel like I have lost some thing I nver had.....
So thanks so so much Maz for all your help and info...I feel really bad about all the trouble you went through
Oh and his reason was because my sis and bro have to get an animal before me, so my brother wants a dog, and may get one in the year...but he just doesn't know much or have a "passion" for dogs
So I fear that ofter the newness where's off, that he will sorta forget about it, and it will be like my dog And then after that my sister gets a cat....
*sigh* and I will probably be in College by then....
oh Now I'm sad. I was looking forward to your kitty. My dad never liked cat's until we got Neko, then he needed another one Why can't you get a FAMILY cat (that you just happen to take with you once your out of college )
Oh well, i'm sorry, Someday you can have all the pets you want (that's what my parents keep telling me) and I'm sure there will still be plenty of shelter kitties needing your home and love.
Now I'm sad. I was looking forward to your kitty. My dad never liked cat's until we got Neko, then he needed another one Why can't you get a FAMILY cat (that you just happen to take with you once your out of college ) Oh well, i'm sorry, Someday you can have all the pets you want (that's what my parents keep telling me) and I'm sure there will still be plenty of shelter kitties needing your home and love.
Thanks Max
He said that once Robbie(brother) gets a dog and my sister gets a cat that would be the limit of Animals we can have(2 or 3 dogs and one cat)
*sigh* I was really looking forward to it too
And I told him that I would be taking the cat to college too (he says I am taking Lizzie too)
Ugh, I had my hopes up to high again
My parents are telling my the same thing too They say, "you just need to buy lots of acres and then have all the dogs and cats you want" heheh I plant on that too lol
He said that once Robbie(brother) gets a dog and my sister gets a cat that would be the limit of Animals we can have(2 or 3 dogs and one cat)
*sigh* I was really looking forward to it too
And I told him that I would be taking the cat to college too (he says I am taking Lizzie too
) Ugh, I had my hopes up to high
againMy parents are telling my the same thing too
They say, "you just need to buy lots of acres and then have all the dogs and cats you want" heheh I plant on that too lol