Just to start off, I'm new here and I have a some questions about cat behavior, I hope I've come to the right place to get my questions answered.
I was planning on visiting and staying at my Aunt's house over the holidays, and she has an old (atleast 15 years) male cat named Winnie. Winnie had a brother named Pooh Bear, but he passed away a few years ago. The two boys were known for marking/spraying in the house, especially on curtains, chairs, couches etc. My aunt had them neutered, but it didn't deter their behavior. Since Pooh Bear (PB) has died, Winnie has stopped marking.
My family is planning on staying at her house, and I have a 5 lb Maltese named Libby who I was planning on bringing with me, but now my Aunt is upset because she is afraid that me bringing my dog will affect her cat and bring up his old marking behavior. Is this a possibility?
I don't know much about cat behavior so I really don't know what to expect.
What I do know, is that my dog is very small (half the size of the cat), and very attached to me. She is a very good sweet natured dog and has encountered a few cats in the past (and her reaction was to just look at them, and sometimes wants to smell them, at which point the cats usually ran off). My Aunt thinks the only way I could bring Libby is if I keep her away from the cat (meaning leaving her only upstairs, or in the formal dining room- two areas that the cat is not allowed) but I know this will upset Libby. I don't think the cat has ever had another cat or dog stay in the house before.
I really don't want to be without Libby for the holidays, so I hope we can work something out with the cat to make everyone happy and comfortable.
I was planning on visiting and staying at my Aunt's house over the holidays, and she has an old (atleast 15 years) male cat named Winnie. Winnie had a brother named Pooh Bear, but he passed away a few years ago. The two boys were known for marking/spraying in the house, especially on curtains, chairs, couches etc. My aunt had them neutered, but it didn't deter their behavior. Since Pooh Bear (PB) has died, Winnie has stopped marking.
My family is planning on staying at her house, and I have a 5 lb Maltese named Libby who I was planning on bringing with me, but now my Aunt is upset because she is afraid that me bringing my dog will affect her cat and bring up his old marking behavior. Is this a possibility?
I don't know much about cat behavior so I really don't know what to expect.
What I do know, is that my dog is very small (half the size of the cat), and very attached to me. She is a very good sweet natured dog and has encountered a few cats in the past (and her reaction was to just look at them, and sometimes wants to smell them, at which point the cats usually ran off). My Aunt thinks the only way I could bring Libby is if I keep her away from the cat (meaning leaving her only upstairs, or in the formal dining room- two areas that the cat is not allowed) but I know this will upset Libby. I don't think the cat has ever had another cat or dog stay in the house before.
I really don't want to be without Libby for the holidays, so I hope we can work something out with the cat to make everyone happy and comfortable.
