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- Apr 22, 2009
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Hello!
Well, let me preface this by saying I am a dog and horse expert...but not so much a cat one! I know how to medicate and treat them (I'm a vet tech), but when it comes to behaviour, I'm a bit behind the curve.
I have a 6 year old Bull Terrier. My boyfriend has a 9 month old Tortie. We've decided to move in together...and we want to do right by our furry children. My dog has lived in households with multiple dogs, multiple cats, birds, horses, and mice. The cat has lived alone since she was adopted by him.
The first step I took was allowing them to view each other through the glass door. The dog remained on a sit-stay, but the cat attacked the glass with exceptional violence. It was then that I realised this was going to be an interesting process.
But, we decided to trudge on into the fray. The next step I took was bringing the dog into the apartment...in his crate. Boyfriend secured the cat, I brought the dog in, put him in the kennel, then we let the cat go to investigate him on her own terms. She hissed and spat a bit, but I made sure to keep the dog from antagonizing her - he politely kept his eyes averted and eventually just fell asleep.
We've kept it like this for a while now. Cat seems to have calmed down a bit. I can now bring the dog into the apartment without someone securing the cat - she doesn't rush to attack him, etc.
Now, in the midst of all this, the cat has started to urinate on my boyfriend's clothes, my clothes, and on top of the dog food bag. I am fairly sure this is insecurity and a bit of territorial behaviour, and because of that, it doesn't bother me. She can ruin my things - I just want to make sure I'm doing right by her.
Last week we brought the dog out of the crate for the first time. I put him up on the sofa with us, and we acted like everything was normal. Cat came and investigated a little - a bit of a bottlebrush tail, but then she came around and laid down on the arm of the sofa next to the sleeping dog. The only strange part was that about an hour later, she disappears to go wander the apartment, and came back and jumped the dog! She bashed him around the head a bit, but the boyfriend was quick with the squirt water bottle, and the dog was too well mannered and surprised to do anything back. We waited until everyone was calm again before putting the dog away.
So, my question is this: are we doing this right? I've never introduced a dog to a cat who isn't familiar with dogs already. I don't want to put any more undue stress on either animal, but mostly on the cat (since my dog is very laid back and is content to just leave the cat alone). Ideally, I'd like to have the dog out of the crate in the evenings before we turn in for the night. Obviously they would never be together without supervision.
Given her initial aggressive response to the dog, do you think she will ever be okay sharing the apartment with him? The dog could care less. He's content to yield to cats at the water bowl, and on occasion will cuddle with them on the couch...other than that, he's happy just leaving them alone.
Are we okay to use the squirt bottle full of water just to have on hand in case of a ninja kitty moment?
Also, she is going in for her OHE tomorrow morning.
Thanks in advance. I welcome all advice, rebukes, and suggestions!
Well, let me preface this by saying I am a dog and horse expert...but not so much a cat one! I know how to medicate and treat them (I'm a vet tech), but when it comes to behaviour, I'm a bit behind the curve.
I have a 6 year old Bull Terrier. My boyfriend has a 9 month old Tortie. We've decided to move in together...and we want to do right by our furry children. My dog has lived in households with multiple dogs, multiple cats, birds, horses, and mice. The cat has lived alone since she was adopted by him.
The first step I took was allowing them to view each other through the glass door. The dog remained on a sit-stay, but the cat attacked the glass with exceptional violence. It was then that I realised this was going to be an interesting process.
But, we decided to trudge on into the fray. The next step I took was bringing the dog into the apartment...in his crate. Boyfriend secured the cat, I brought the dog in, put him in the kennel, then we let the cat go to investigate him on her own terms. She hissed and spat a bit, but I made sure to keep the dog from antagonizing her - he politely kept his eyes averted and eventually just fell asleep.
We've kept it like this for a while now. Cat seems to have calmed down a bit. I can now bring the dog into the apartment without someone securing the cat - she doesn't rush to attack him, etc.
Now, in the midst of all this, the cat has started to urinate on my boyfriend's clothes, my clothes, and on top of the dog food bag. I am fairly sure this is insecurity and a bit of territorial behaviour, and because of that, it doesn't bother me. She can ruin my things - I just want to make sure I'm doing right by her.
Last week we brought the dog out of the crate for the first time. I put him up on the sofa with us, and we acted like everything was normal. Cat came and investigated a little - a bit of a bottlebrush tail, but then she came around and laid down on the arm of the sofa next to the sleeping dog. The only strange part was that about an hour later, she disappears to go wander the apartment, and came back and jumped the dog! She bashed him around the head a bit, but the boyfriend was quick with the squirt water bottle, and the dog was too well mannered and surprised to do anything back. We waited until everyone was calm again before putting the dog away.
So, my question is this: are we doing this right? I've never introduced a dog to a cat who isn't familiar with dogs already. I don't want to put any more undue stress on either animal, but mostly on the cat (since my dog is very laid back and is content to just leave the cat alone). Ideally, I'd like to have the dog out of the crate in the evenings before we turn in for the night. Obviously they would never be together without supervision.
Given her initial aggressive response to the dog, do you think she will ever be okay sharing the apartment with him? The dog could care less. He's content to yield to cats at the water bowl, and on occasion will cuddle with them on the couch...other than that, he's happy just leaving them alone.
Are we okay to use the squirt bottle full of water just to have on hand in case of a ninja kitty moment?
Also, she is going in for her OHE tomorrow morning.
Thanks in advance. I welcome all advice, rebukes, and suggestions!