I have a 2 year-old neutered Chihuahua who is nice to cats (though he is not calm by any stretch of the imagination). I also have a 2 year-old DSH who was adopted as a kitten (he is also neutered). Then there's Booter. He is supposed about 10-years old and neutered but I'm not certain. I'm not even sure of Booter's gender (long-haired and fiesty - can't get a look).
About a month ago I took in a pregnant stray. She had 3 kittens on March 14th.
Booter does not like the dog at all, but he and Jack (my 2yo DSH) pretty much ignored each other until recently. Within the last few weeks there have 2 or 3 serious fights where Booter was the agressor. I started feeding Jack first to try to elevate his status (I was feeding Booter first because Jack is much bigger).
Here's how the interactions between our fosters and the resident pets have gone . . .
About a week ago Booter was sitting outside my bedroom door. I opened the door and Hope (mama cat) was on the floor about 4 feet from the door. The both saw each other. Hope ran up to Booter and they were nose to nose for a second and then Hope attacked. Booter retreated (which surprised me since he's so aggressive when he fights with Jack). I stepped in between them. She went back in my room and Booter went back to the main living area. I figured that she was protected her babies and Booter recognized that he was dealing with an animal that wasn't going to back down.
I feel like Hope is bored and lonely trapped in my room. A few days ago I picked her up and walked around my small apartment with her so she could get the lay of the land. It was a slow but short walk. The dog barked from the kitchen. Hope was tense but she didn't panic. I placed her slowly on my bed and she was fine.
A few days ago I picked up Jack (Jack is very laid bad) and carried him into my room. Hope was on my bed and seemed interested but not scared. I squatted down near the edge of my bed and they sniffed each other. Jack hissed so I stood up and walked out of the room. All of that was very calm and slow.
Yesterday I carried the dog in my arms and sat on the floor just inside the door. Hope approached and they smelled each other. I was so glad that the dog didn't bark or try to wriggle out of my arms. I was pleased with that short but non-negative interaction so I slowly stood up and left the room.
I have a friend who pet sits for me when I go out of town. He takes Don Pedro and Jack to his place. He's been taking them a few times a year since both animals were young so they're used to that. We joke about having joint custody. When Don Pedro and Jack go over there I say they're on vacation.
Don Pedro and Jack left last night. They'll be on vacation for two weeks (I'm a single mom, my kids are going to their dad's for spring break, and I'm going to college and interning as a paralegal at a law firm).
Today I brought one of the kittens out to the living room and showed it to Booter. He hissed.
Booter was a stray who was part of a big group who were fed by my BF's neighbor/close friend. The man allowed 4 cats to be indoor pets and Booter was one of those. The man died last fall and my BF took the 4 indoor cats. Booter has been around lots of cats his whole life but I feel like he doesn't like other cats.
I would love to be able to keep Hope and/or one of her kittens (okay, let's be 100% honest, I would love to be able to keep Hope and all of her kittens), but only in everyone can get along and be happy and healthy. I figure it's best to socialize the kittens to others cats and the dog so that they'll be able to be well-adjusted in their future homes BUT I have no idea what I'm doing.
Please share your advice, experiences, links - whatever you have. Thank you in advance!
About a month ago I took in a pregnant stray. She had 3 kittens on March 14th.
Booter does not like the dog at all, but he and Jack (my 2yo DSH) pretty much ignored each other until recently. Within the last few weeks there have 2 or 3 serious fights where Booter was the agressor. I started feeding Jack first to try to elevate his status (I was feeding Booter first because Jack is much bigger).
Here's how the interactions between our fosters and the resident pets have gone . . .
About a week ago Booter was sitting outside my bedroom door. I opened the door and Hope (mama cat) was on the floor about 4 feet from the door. The both saw each other. Hope ran up to Booter and they were nose to nose for a second and then Hope attacked. Booter retreated (which surprised me since he's so aggressive when he fights with Jack). I stepped in between them. She went back in my room and Booter went back to the main living area. I figured that she was protected her babies and Booter recognized that he was dealing with an animal that wasn't going to back down.
I feel like Hope is bored and lonely trapped in my room. A few days ago I picked her up and walked around my small apartment with her so she could get the lay of the land. It was a slow but short walk. The dog barked from the kitchen. Hope was tense but she didn't panic. I placed her slowly on my bed and she was fine.
A few days ago I picked up Jack (Jack is very laid bad) and carried him into my room. Hope was on my bed and seemed interested but not scared. I squatted down near the edge of my bed and they sniffed each other. Jack hissed so I stood up and walked out of the room. All of that was very calm and slow.
Yesterday I carried the dog in my arms and sat on the floor just inside the door. Hope approached and they smelled each other. I was so glad that the dog didn't bark or try to wriggle out of my arms. I was pleased with that short but non-negative interaction so I slowly stood up and left the room.
I have a friend who pet sits for me when I go out of town. He takes Don Pedro and Jack to his place. He's been taking them a few times a year since both animals were young so they're used to that. We joke about having joint custody. When Don Pedro and Jack go over there I say they're on vacation.
Don Pedro and Jack left last night. They'll be on vacation for two weeks (I'm a single mom, my kids are going to their dad's for spring break, and I'm going to college and interning as a paralegal at a law firm).
Today I brought one of the kittens out to the living room and showed it to Booter. He hissed.
Booter was a stray who was part of a big group who were fed by my BF's neighbor/close friend. The man allowed 4 cats to be indoor pets and Booter was one of those. The man died last fall and my BF took the 4 indoor cats. Booter has been around lots of cats his whole life but I feel like he doesn't like other cats.
I would love to be able to keep Hope and/or one of her kittens (okay, let's be 100% honest, I would love to be able to keep Hope and all of her kittens), but only in everyone can get along and be happy and healthy. I figure it's best to socialize the kittens to others cats and the dog so that they'll be able to be well-adjusted in their future homes BUT I have no idea what I'm doing.
Please share your advice, experiences, links - whatever you have. Thank you in advance!
