Cat Selectively Dog Friendly?

artem

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This is just a general curiosity question, first and foremost.  While I would eventually like a dog, as I do love canines, it's at least five years in the future, more likely ten, and will not happen until I have enough space to keep the two separate if they prove unable to get along.  As Hunter is accustomed to hearing and smelling dogs in our current apartment building and pretty much just tunes them out, it shouldn't be an issue.  But that doesn't stop me from being perplexed by some pretty odd behavior.

You see, Hunter appears to like some dogs and not others.  Let me explain.  The first time we were at the vet, a dog came over and sniffed at his carrier and he actually took it pretty well, sniffing right back and looking relaxed and friendly, to the shock of the cat owner sitting next to me.  I figured he'd probably been raised with dogs and counted that as a boon that would make my life easier 5-10 years down the road.  The next time he met a dog, however, he hissed immediately.  I shrugged, decided he'd probably just been overwhelmed by his first vet visit and didn't like dogs after all.  But this Saturday, he met another dog, who snuck his nose right in from of his crate and started sniffing pretty vigorously.  I was getting ready to intervene when I saw that Hunter looked...perfectly happy, even curious.  This dog was a pretty large pit mix while the dog he did not like was a golden retriever.  I don't remember the breed of the first dog, but I'm sure it was short-haired and it may also have been a pit mix as well.  Anyway, the million dollar question is what the heck?  Was he raised exclusively with short-haired dogs?  Is he picking up on some sort of canine body language I'm not?  When, in the very distant future, I do get a dog, should I take his preferences into consideration?  Ask if he can meet potential canine friends as another dog would?  He seemed to almost immediately know who he did and did not like.  I didn't know cats did that and I'm just a little confused as to what's going through that little brain of his.  This isn't an urgent question by any means, as it's not a problem, just a funny little quirk I don't quite understand and would like to.  Because, if I do get a dog at some point, I'd really, really like it if they could be friends, particularly as I suspect Hunter does not like other cats judging by his response to any video with cat sounds in it.
 
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pinkdagger

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He could be peeved by the smells of some dogs, he could have had a bad experience with a similar looking or smelling dog, and some animals just don't click - just like people. You can meet one human and totally hit it off, be best friends, want to hang out all the time... but you can meet another and just want to punch them in the face.


I think part of it will be getting comfortable and used to a dog in your home. A dog that you meet very briefly is going to be very different than a dog that ends up living with you. Even if they're not best friends grooming each other, most animals can be taught to tolerate each others' presence and leave when they feel bothered rather than getting into an altercation.

I know a couple of the humane societies back in my hometown requested that all members of the family - other animals like cats and dogs included - go down to the shelter to visit a potential new addition. You can see if this is an option when you start looking into a dog. Of course, it'll be different when they all get home and your cat is on his turf, but if you want to get a first impression you can see how that pans out at an initial visit.
 
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artem

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*nods* Thanks, that makes sense.  I've only ever had one pet at a time and am new to cats, so I guess I just figured that a cat was dog friendly or it wasn't, but it makes sense that there's still a sort of chemistry.  And I think I probably will try and find somewhere that will let me see what first impression any prospective doggie sibling makes on Hunter, provided adoption procedures look the same in the semi-distant future, as I'd like to set them up for success as well as I can.  Unless Hunger wants a puppy.  I am NOT raising a puppy.  That's actually how I ended up with a cat in the first place.  Best decision I could have made. :) (While of course we have adult shelter dogs, good apartment dogs in the immediate area go FAST as I live in a city.)
 

hagen

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My cat tolerant my second pet, who is a cameleon. I have never had any problems wit this kind of connection (reptile + cats). Boston sits in front of the rterrarium and look at Camelon very often, and he makes it too:) I need to send a picture to show you, how does it looks like:)
 

matts mom

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I suspect that the demeanor of the dog has something to do with it as well. Matt got  along great with my dad's first two dogs (calm retrievers) but the third one, a setter, is a little high strung. Matt's not exactly hostile, but he chooses not to go near the dog. Nor will he stay where the dog can see him for long. And it's not that the dog is going after him or anything, he just doesn't want much to do with him.

 He used to drive Charly, the last retriever insane licking him around the ears until the poor dog begged to leave! LOL.

We suspect that Matt had prior experience with dogs, as we got him at age2, and we can walk him(carefully) around Petsmart on a leash and harness but he wants nothing to do with the cat cages. He'll sniff  some of the dogs though....
 

patti a

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Hi,

I have always had a cat and multiple dogs. Our cat, Annie is my tester for cat friendly foster dogs. She almost immediately senses if a dog is okay or not. A little background on this dog loving feline...she was a stray living in the woods behind our home and we know she was out there fir at least a month. We took her into our already 1 dog family. Our dog was raised with a cat and was very cat friendly, but Annie was PETRIFIED of her. I set Annie up in our finished basement and put a baby gate at the top of the stairs. This way, she could observe from the steps without feeling threatened. Most of the time she hid in the back storage room. That was okay. Everything, including the dog, was new to her. We spent time going down and letting her get to know us. Codie, the dog, would stand at the gate pleading with Annie to be her friend. I started feeding Annie some yummy canned cat food at the bottom of the steps and fed Codie at the top on the other side of the gate. Each day, I moved Annie's food up a step until they were eventually eating on either side if the gate. When Annie became more comfortable, I would sit with the dog on one side if the gate and offer treats to both of them. Eventually, we were able to remove the gate and like magic, they were fine. They became best friends! When Codie passed away at home, Annie sat by her side until it was time to bury Codie. She mourned her friend right along with us. After a few months, we brought another Rhodesian Ridgeback home. I forgot to mention all the dogs in Annie's life have been Ridgebacks. Ironically, they were bred to hunt lions! Anyway, Morgan was 3 and had never seen a cat in her life. She wanted to eat Annie. We repeated exactly what we did with Codie, but this time it was to train the dog to like the cat. They too became best buds. Then, another Ridgeback came to live with us. Curtis also wanted a taste of Annie and we repeated the basement/baby gate training. Annie was our gauge as to when it was safe to remove the baby gate. When she trusted the dog, she would jump the gate and all was well. We started fostering rescued Ridgebacks after this and there was always a new dog coming or going in the house. Annie became my tester for cat friendly dogs. If a dog was safe, Annie would walk right up to them. If a dog was not safe, we would never see her outside of our bedroom. She has an amazing judgement regarding dogs. I believe cats can sense if a dog is a danger to them. That being said, I also believe, from our own experience, that a dog can be taught to leave kitty alone and even end up being friends. Annie now lives with 2 Ridgebacks. One was raised from a pup with her and the other is a new rescue we adopted. She rules the canine roost around here and snuggles with the new dog.

Patti
 

sherlockblue

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Awww is that Annie and Codie? Which dog is that? Either way Annie looks super cute! Romi, my five month old kitten - gets along great with our sixteen year old mutt Copper. I think he gets jealous of attention sometimes but being the old man he is he'll look out for the kid. Y'know? Romi will play with Copper's fluffy tail, and he'll get overexcited and hug Copper's head sometimes with his paws. If I ever get a picture of it I'll definitely post it here! 8 D 
 

patti a

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That is Layla and Annie. Layla is our new rescued girl. They love each other! Your kitty sounds like a ball of fun. Cooper sounds like a saint:)

Patti
 

flutenotepoet

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Patti A., those pics are SO cute.  I hope our cat and dog will be that comfortable with each other soon.  I think they are almost there, but not quite. 

Artem, I don't know the answer to your question; I just have my own personal experience with my cat and dog.  My cat's first impression of my dog was to hiss at him and confine himself to a small area of the house.  So, they each had their side of the house for a few months.  It took my cat a few months to get comfortable around my dog or even go in the same room.  Six months later and my cat will go in the same room and even go on the same bed... but will make sure my dog is a few feet away.  So, hopefully in a few more months they will like to be next to each other like Patti's pics.  Guess we'll have to wait and see!  
 
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artem

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I wish you the best of luck, flutenote.  But if they can coexist, that's already a success in my book.  You must have done a great job with introductions.

And I agree that Annie sounds like an awesome cat.  :)  It's incredible how well she picked up dog language as an adult.  She must be a really clever girl.  Plus, she looks so cute snuggling with her new canine buddies.
 

hagen

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i have a friend who has a french buldogs and british cat. They are awensome!
 

patti a

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The best advice I can give is to NOT rush things. Feeding the dog and cat on either side of a double baby gate is a great way to get them accustomed to each other and have positive (food) associations with each other. Even if you have to start the cats feeding a hallway away, you can move the dish closer and closer over time. It also gives you the opportunity to correct/redirect/ praise the dog.

Patti
 
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