Introducing dog to cat and vice versa

tillymoo

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Hiya everyone i am very new and was wondering on having a cat with a dog that dislikes cats and does anyone have some kind of breakdown in timescale on how it works to introduce them?
We are not cat people and i came across a cat through my work that desperately needed rehoming (its a long story) the rescues where i live had a 2month waiting list, and i do adore animals its just dogs have been our prefered choice so to speak but i was really concerned and figured i could take the cat and rehome it myself without the urgency.
This little girl is called Tilly shes just adorable and is around 2yrs old we've had her for nearly a week now and we've decided to keep her as i would worry too much if someone didn't treat her right.
She has never ever been outside, apparently her last owner tried but tilly refused to move past the front door (and i can believe that now) she does not come out from her hidey places unless my husband, my daughter or i are present and only then will she mooch around.
She is currently upstairs with free run of that floor not that she strays far from one room at the moment but will follow us from bedroom to bedroom if she hears us come upstairs (the dog is downstairs) she does not eat unless we are present either.
She does not hate the dog in some respects i wish she would but i guess thats testiment to her loving nature, if she'd just put him in his place i think we'd make progress with him because he hated the hamsters we have until he stuck his nose right upto the cage and got bitten now he stays away from them and we even put them in their ball and he jumps out their way (and he is well over 85kg).
Would it be cruel to just leave her be and stay upstairs? i'm wondering if this will be her life until the dog dies! i'd like to think one day he would tolerate her but i can't see it in the near future but the way she is in following us i'd hate to think if we enticed her downstairs then the dog kicked off she'd loose confidence in us so i'd rather it in her own time but i'm wondering if she'll ever come downstairs..

Has anyone any thoughts i've googled my question and i'm a bit baffled by different bits of advice.

Many thanks
 

carolina

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Hi there!
Welcome to the world of being a cat lover - not being a cat person is not going to last long, I assure you

The best thing to do at this point is to put her in a room for a little while, with food, water and a litter box until she gets settled. Visit with her as much as you can, the whole family.
Here is some information on introducing a cat to a dog and vice Versa: Hope it helps!
http://www.thecatsite.com/Behavior/50/Introducing-Cats-to-Dogs.html
 
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