What do you think about this

Sorry I'm not sure if this is the right forum.
I have 2 cats one will be 2 in a few weeks, the other will be 2 in October. They used to be very playful and come sit on my lap and want attention. Last summer we got a dog, my younger cat didn't care too much about the dog but the dog used to try to chew (playfully) on the cat, the older cat hated and still hates the dog.

I don't let the dog chase after them, every once and a while he will try to but he gets in trouble. The cats will chase the dog though and growl and have him trapped in a corner..mind you the dog is a 72lb lab. I really don't think it's just playing I think they hate the dog.

Lately they will spend most of their days sleeping in one of the kids rooms. Sometimes they still like to lay in my kids bed and sleep with them but other then that we don't see them till they hear food being put out for them. I also babysit and the kids are very gentle with the cats but get excited when they are around and run to pet them and I think the cats get scared and run off (kids are not allowed to chase the cats.) sometimes they will allow a child to pet them but not always.

If they were older I wouldn't worry so much, but I worry they are not having the best life they could be having. I feel like maybe they wouldn't hide so much of the dog wasn't around. Or do you think they are happy sleeping under kids beds all day? They literally each have a kid, my oldest cat is always in my sons room and the younger cat is always in my daughters. They will come lounge on the couch, kitchen chairs and in open windows but not as often as they are in rooms. I guess they've calmed down and aren't playful kittens anymore, but is it normal for them to hideout when they used to love being around us.

Based on their ages, it is likely they've calmed down a bit and just aren't as into playing, but it's very likely they've just changed their routines to avoid that areas where they;d run into the dog as much as possible. Some cats are okay with dogs, but others just aren't comfortable. Is it possible to give them a certain time of day where the dog is kept out of the main rooms that they used to enjoy? If they're still coming out, I wouldn't worry too much, but if they aren't comfortable, they'll likely stay somewhere they are comfortable until they feel like hanging out.  

Sometimes cats change a little bit. It could be that they just feel a bit more safe and comfortable in the room. As long as they act normal I think it is fine but I would do a few things to encourage them to move around the house a bit more.

I would try to get them to play especially outside of the room. Da bird usually gets cats very interested. After you play with them feed or give treats. Also, do you have cat trees or places they can go high and watch what is going on down below them? Giving them plenty of escape places (from the dog, little kids you babysit for, etc) where they can go high and be safe would be helpful and help them build their confidence.

It sounds to me like your cats have a very good life. The oldest cat has your son's room, the younger cat has your daughters room and it sounds like they have a great family and they lounge on the chairs, couch and windows (a cat tree by the window or a window perch is always a wonderful thing so they can watch the birds etc outside).

Please feel free to ask anything. Thank you for caring so much about your cats.

Do your cats have high places to perch away from the dog in the common areas of the house?  I would suggest a really high cat tree that both can be on without crowding one another or install some cat shelves.  That way they can join the family but feel comfortable the dog will leave them alone.

The cats actually attack the dog most of the time. Every once and a while the dog will chase one and it will jump into the laundry room which is gated so the dog doesn't get their food and litter box. They have a cat tree in there, and climb on top of and in the cupboards. It's actually a large utility room, they like to lay on the rabbits cage and in the windows in there too. They can lie on the top part of the couch and the dog isn't allowed on the furniture.