cat with dog problems

I have a semi reformed aggressive 11 year old indoor/outdoor cat (Davinci) living with another cat (for 9 years), two dogs (one for 6 years and one for 2 years) and a house bunny (for 8 years).  He has a history of excessive itchy skin and has had to have much of his neck skin removed twice because he will scratch his neck skin so badly...I have him on a careful diet and the extreme itchiness has not been too bad for the last 4 years (no surgery, no meds).  It flares mildly in the spring and so does his aggressive behavior.  Sometimes I put him on behavior medication if it gets too bad.  The dogs watch out for him and avoid confrontations and getting too close to him.  Occasionally, he does things like waiting at the dog door for the smaller dog (Kenya) to go through the door and attack her.  That being said, a couple weeks ago, my 94 lb Chesapeake Bay Retriever mix (Kola) that Davinci has been living with for 6 years got clawed and was nailed right in the tender fold just beneath the nose - I thought he was going to kill Davinci...he has always been tolerant of getting clawed once in a while, but always just lets it go with a yelp.  However, this time he red lined and growled and snarled and bit at him until I got in the room, but did not hurt him at all.  I removed the claw with Kola crying and whimpering because it was like removing a fishhook.  I didn't see how or why it happened but it is usually due to the dogs not realizing he is on the couch or the under the coffee table.  There has been tension with Kola since the event, but I thought it would just blow over.  Davinci hissed and swatted at him for no reason today and Kola lost it and went after him again this time - he got clawed on one of his pads...I'm concerned.  Kola's super well trained and I got after him for going after him, which will definitely help.  I can't permanently put him on meds.  My neighbors love Davinci and he goes to them while I am at work and gets lots of attention at home and he is quite happy and content most of the time - the attacks are pretty rare, but I need him to stop completely.  I trust Kola unequivocally with my house bunny and other cat and used to trust him with Davinci.  Any ideas for building back some trust between the two or getting Davinci to stop with the attacks?       

A drastical solution if you dont find anyting else, is if the neigbours may adopt Davinci?  they like him, he likes them...

And it seems to solve all problems inside your house...

Such a solution is in fact not unique.  It isnt not common at all a cat decides to move to some neigbour, although his original home wasnt bad at all.

Although I hope you will find some other, better solution.

I presume you HAD tested feliway and other  preparates for cats?

there are also prpeparates for dags.

Good luck!

pamkey said:

 
I have a semi reformed aggressive 11 year old indoor/outdoor cat (Davinci) living with another cat (for 9 years), two dogs (one for 6 years and one for 2 years) and a house bunny (for 8 years).  He has a history of excessive itchy skin and has had to have much of his neck skin removed twice because he will scratch his neck skin so badly...I have him on a careful diet and the extreme itchiness has not been too bad for the last 4 years (no surgery, no meds).  It flares mildly in the spring and so does his aggressive behavior.  Sometimes I put him on behavior medication if it gets too bad.  The dogs watch out for him and avoid confrontations and getting too close to him.  Occasionally, he does things like waiting at the dog door for the smaller dog (Kenya) to go through the door and attack her.  That being said, a couple weeks ago, my 94 lb Chesapeake Bay Retriever mix (Kola) that Davinci has been living with for 6 years got clawed and was nailed right in the tender fold just beneath the nose - I thought he was going to kill Davinci...he has always been tolerant of getting clawed once in a while, but always just lets it go with a yelp.  However, this time he red lined and growled and snarled and bit at him until I got in the room, but did not hurt him at all.  I removed the claw with Kola crying and whimpering because it was like removing a fishhook.  I didn't see how or why it happened but it is usually due to the dogs not realizing he is on the couch or the under the coffee table.  There has been tension with Kola since the event, but I thought it would just blow over.  Davinci hissed and swatted at him for no reason today and Kola lost it and went after him again this time - he got clawed on one of his pads...I'm concerned.  Kola's super well trained and I got after him for going after him, which will definitely help.  I can't permanently put him on meds.  My neighbors love Davinci and he goes to them while I am at work and gets lots of attention at home and he is quite happy and content most of the time - the attacks are pretty rare, but I need him to stop completely.  I trust Kola unequivocally with my house bunny and other cat and used to trust him with Davinci.  Any ideas for building back some trust between the two or getting Davinci to stop with the attacks?       

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I really want to follow this thread,  @pamkey  because  I have a 2yr old labrador, and a 14 yr old tuxedo cat, but they actually do get along, and sleep in proximity to each other.  However, Spotty never really liked dogs, but somehow, now because another cat passed away, the dog and Spotty have become closer.

In your situation, I think Davinci is just being an alpha cat, and bothering the dog, and then the dog has to retaliate.  My dog chases the cat, the cat stops, swats, then the dog backs off, like in play.  However, when I have seen the cat just swat the dog for no reason, while he is sleeping, I just figure it is for some prior offense.

I separate the cat at this point, because the dog did not initiate any thing. He gets banished from the room for a time out, but allowed to join us after 20 minutes.  The dog also gets timeouts if he chases the cat excessively, because the cat is a senior.

We did have an older 16 year old cat with us for awhile, just taking care of her while owners were on vacation.  She liked to lay in doorways, and try to trip up my previous dog, and also cat, when they walked by, by putting out a paw.  It was not mean, just seemed she was bored.

I think you will have to observe Davinci, much closer, and see if he has some triggers, or is he just reacting because he is feeling too itchy, and uncomfortable, then calming meds might help again. Also if his teeth, body, or health are affected, he is probably just very stressed.

Maybe keep his nails trimmed always, or even try the nail caps, I have seen in stores.

Are you able to pat Kola with one hand and Davinci with the other, or do the two just glare at each other?

Kola sounds like a great dog, who just has to learn to be more wary of Davinci, and not approach him at all for awhile.  Would he listen to you if he just headed in Davinci's direction, or is it like an ambush always?.

I am hoping that some other members can also offer direct help, since in my case, I don't have this experience.

If davinci initiates all the attacks how would you feel about keeping his nails well trimmed so he can't hurt Kola?

pamkey said:

  I can't permanently put him on meds.     

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Who ? Kola or Davinci? Regarding the meds. You mentioned behavior medication. What kind was it?

Sounds like Davinci is having a bit of a psychotic set back. Has there been any major changes in the home lately? Has Kola somehow frightened/stressed out Davinci to begin this down hill spiral? Any changes or any additional information may be helpful. ALSO - is Davinci neutered? I will assume so. His skin issue can definitely be adding to his aggressive nature. It sounds bad at times and will cause him pain which will in turn lead to transferred aggression on anything or anyone he feels is causing his pain.

I was going to suggest putting Davinci on Elavil (Amitriptyline) that you would get from your vet. I have an aggressive, VERY aggressive cat named Pipsqueak. He rules the house AND my dogs. I have similar issues as you. Now and again, Pipsqueak needs the Elavil and it really helps to calm the waters in the household.

It sounds to me that Kola is a very, very good dog and extremely obedient but YES - can and will only take so much from Davinci. Honestly, I am not too worried about Davinici. More so - Kola because cats can cause much damage, are extremely quick and agile. I don't think that Kola will just blatantly attack Davinici for no reason. Kola is only now beginning to mistrust Davinci. There is no way you can force this relationship and the only way to repair it, is to try to become their mediator and try to foresee any aggressive exchanges. You can only manage the situation. You may have to be on guard and watchful when the cats/dogs are loose together so you can be observant and distract Davinci before he attacks. Be a mediator between the two. Believe me, it is work, I know first hand. Never let the dog/cat be unsupervised when you are not home.

Keep on training your dog, Kola, everyday so you instill that you are alpha. If you let Kola get the upper hand in this situation, then it could be dangerous for Davinci. For Davinci - make sure you are getting to the bottom of any issues or stressors that may be bothering him. Keep his nails trimmed very short - just before the quick. Try to have extra play sessions with Davinci solely - give him extra attention/treats when he is a good/calm boy. To bond them together - try feeding them some special treats in each other's presence. Always give the cat a treat first though before the dog. They are two different species and have a completely different set of rules/boundaries and limitations!!!

p.s. You mention the wonderful neighbors whom love Davinci. As a very last resort or option (which most do not have ) - I would begin discussion of them possibly adopting Davinci ?