Cats and dogs together

creativgirl

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I'd like to get a dog sometime within the next year (can't have one where I'm living now but am hoping to move at the end of the year). I have two neutered male American Shorthairs who will be 7 years old in June. They're close to each other and very friendly to humans but don't have much experience with other animals.

Guess I have two questions:

1. How can I socialize Rocky and Oliver to other animals without scaring the daylights out of them? Is it better for them to meet other animals on their turf (e.g., have a friend with a dog bring him/her over to visit) or take them someplace neutral like PetSmart (at the one near where I live, lots of people bring dogs)?

2. I know that a lot depends on the dog, but in general, what breeds are good with cats? I haven't had a dog since I was a kid, and the German Wirehaired Pointer we had then was awesome with our cats.

Thanks everyone!
 

forensic

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I think that, because cats don't do well with strangeness, introducing them to strange animals in a strange place might send them into a tizzy.

On the other hand, having a strange animal show up on their turf would have a bad effect too...

Would it work to introduce them as you would two cats to each other? Keeping them apart for a while and slowly letting them meet?

Whatever you do, don't introduce them by throwing the dog into a bathroom with the cats. Sigh.
 

mom of 4

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We have always had dogs, so it was bringing a cat into our house of dogs. I treated it just like introducing a new cat to the old cats.

I assume you will crate the new dog (or puppy) when you aren't around. That gives the cats time to "Own" their house.

We put up a baby gate to keep the cat and dogs apart at first. They would sit on opposite sides and start/sniff/taunt each other. Zoey quickly felt comfortable in climbing the gate to visit the dogs (did I mention the little one is 82 lbs?). But she also had high places in each room and could easily get over or under the gate.

Even though my dogs are very laid back and have never hurt anyone, I waited three months before I felt I could trust them together.... first with me in the other room, then for short perioids of time.
 

white cat lover

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I've had lotsa dogs.....I foster & seem to rotate them often. I keep the dogs away from Damita as much as possible because it stresses her.

I've had a coonhound, several pits, jack russel, rat terriers, rott x, boxer x, great dane x, lab xs of course, pointer x. It depends on the dog.

I advise adopting, choose a dog that has very low prey drive & is cat safe. I suggest an adult as they'll be mellower, which will be easier on the cats. Taking the cats to petsmart won't necessarily socialize them as they'll be stressed. If you know someone with a calm cat safe dog, have the doggie visit. Realize the cats will likely throw a fit.

Right now, I've got a lab/gsp x, lab, rott/boxer x, & bichon. The bichon is worst with the cats.
 

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I would introduce them right at home. But "introduce" is kind of a tricky word. Do not force it. The cats will probably hide for a while. Just let them come out and check out the dog on THEIR terms. They might not all be bed-buddies, but in time they will be able to live together just fine.

There are a lot of breeds that are good with small animals...of course some are a little better than others. I'd, personally, stay away from sporting breeds and terriers, BUT if you are able to get a young dog I think it can learn to be good with cats no matter what breed.

Good luck!
 

goldenkitty45

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Many of your larger breeds are better with cats - labs, setters, goldens are among the most friendly to cats.

Many terriers are not good - especially the Jack Russels. The terriers are ratters and small game hunters and cats are about the size of their prey.

Smaller dogs like chi's, pom's, yorkies, might be too nippy if the cats are bigger then the dog. Plus they are yappers and most cats like peace and quiet


If your cats are not used to dogs, its gonna be hard. You might have a friend with a WELL trained dog come over. Keep the dog on the leash and put it in a down-stay. The cats will probably run, hiss at first but may be curious enough to come closer.

When we brought Charlie home, we had Keno in a down-stay as she's a lab. It took Charlie 2 days to be friendly with the dog - he hissed some and backed up; but Keno loves cats and raised kittens, so she knew to stay back and not push things.
 

miagi's_mommy

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I have a rottie mix, a corgi mix, a black lab mix, and a hound that all LOVE my cats. Buster loves to harrass Tiger, though.


I would have your dog that you adopt cat tested first. that's what we do where I work. I would probably adopt an older dog/younger adult dog that is known to be good with cats. It doesn't depend on the breed persay, but it depends on the dog its-self. the puppies like to harrass the cats and probably haven't been around them in their life..

and think they are just a toy and then the cats grow to hate them.
like white cat lover said, it depends on the dog not the breed. I would invest in a crate, though so when you're not home your cats are safe because all one scratch it takes on the nose to tick the dog off and then all heck breaks loose. good luck on your search.
 

momofmany

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I have a golden mix and a setter mix that does marvelously with the cats. My recent adoptee, a lab/border collie mix is still a bit young and wants to herd the cats but is learning self control. I have to suggest to avoid a herding dog if you haven't had a dog in a long time. It takes a lot of work and knowledge to control them.

Whatever you adopt, get some tall cat condos before you bring the dog home so that the cats have a tall place to escape to. Cats can feel very safe looking down on a dog from a cat tree.
 

goldenkitty45

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I remember a person who was coming to see and adopt one of my rex kittens - she didn't tell me she was bringing a Doxie with her! At the time, none of my rexes had met a dog. The adults all high tailed it to the top of the fridge when the dog came in!
 

faith's_mom

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I have always had dogs and cats; and they have always coexisted very well. The important thing to remember, especially with the vast majority of dogs, is that they need to learn that the cats are a higher pack member than they are...otherwise they will be inclined to chase, pester, aggress, and otherwise dominate the feline household members.

When I introduce a dog, I do not allow him to take over the house; the cats (and other dogs) have been there first...they 'own it', not him. I don't allow aggression, especially from the dog; and any aggression gets one locked up in a safe place for a 'cool down'. The new dog is on a lead until I know he is 'cat friendly', and crated when I can't watch him as well, until the 'testing stage' is over.

A very very helpful page
http://www.greytinspirations.com/tip...gs-to-cats.asp

My Sophie dog with Martha Mae (blk\\wht), and her former best cat buddy, Jade (balinese); we had to put Jade down in November of last year due to FIP. My Sophie and Jade were ALWAYS caught sleeping together, and often when I would put Sophie in her crate when I left home, I would be inadvertantly locking Jade in with her, because he would hide under her bedding; when I would come home they would be curled up together happy as can be.
 
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creativgirl

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Thanks everyone for the great advice! I have a friend with a German Shepherd cross and a cousin with a Rottie, so I might invite one or both of them to bring the dogs over to visit (not at the same time, obviously). Both dogs are very cat-friendly and usually calm.

P.S. Faith's Mom -- I love the picture!!!!
 
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creativgirl

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Originally Posted by Momofmany

I have a golden mix and a setter mix that does marvelously with the cats. My recent adoptee, a lab/border collie mix is still a bit young and wants to herd the cats but is learning self control. I have to suggest to avoid a herding dog if you haven't had a dog in a long time. It takes a lot of work and knowledge to control them.

Whatever you adopt, get some tall cat condos before you bring the dog home so that the cats have a tall place to escape to. Cats can feel very safe looking down on a dog from a cat tree.
Thanks for the great advice!
 
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creativgirl

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Originally Posted by GoldenKitty45

Many of your larger breeds are better with cats - labs, setters, goldens are among the most friendly to cats.

Many terriers are not good - especially the Jack Russels. The terriers are ratters and small game hunters and cats are about the size of their prey.

Smaller dogs like chi's, pom's, yorkies, might be too nippy if the cats are bigger then the dog. Plus they are yappers and most cats like peace and quiet
Rocky weighs 13 lbs. and Oliver weighs 17 lbs. , so I could see problems with either a toy breed or a terrier.
 

julie deschenes

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 In my experience, Great Pyrenees are the best for cats. They are calm, not prey driven and were bred to protect sheep and goats from predators. As farm dogs, they protected all on the farm, birds, cats, bunnies and children. A sibling of my dog lived with a ferret breeder and  happily took on the role of couch and playground for the little critters. All but one of the dogs who joined us were cat friendly. The one who wasn't did not get a chance to harm our cats, as our Pyrenees stood guard constantly between her and his cats. Eventually she attacked our Pyrenees and she went back to the foster family. All our old dogs have passed and we now have a puppy of a different breed who does not yet understand the cat is not a toy. Strangely enough, the cat is curious and wants to investigate the puppy on his own terms. That cat is obsessed with dogs, cuddles with them,, headbutts them in the face and does not leave them alone. I have no idea why he is like this. We hope the puppy will chill soon.  Do any of you have cats with similar behavior?
 

feline faelan

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I'm in the same situtation, but then the other way around! I have a dog and I want to get a cat. So I'll keep tuned on this tread!

About the dog breeds, that depends a lot on the dog and the socialication. I know a jack russel who lives perfectly with four cats!  Whippets/ greyhounds and malutes are real hunters and the hardest to socialize with a cat, so those breeds wouldn't be a good idea.

Good luck with socializing your cats and ofcourse have fun when you get a dog!
 
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