How to get my dog and cats to become friends?
Jessica Y asked:
We recently added a 5yo Labrador cross to our family. She is a very gentle and beautiful girl who would dearly like to make friends with our cats. The cats are, understandably, terrified of her and whenever she comes near them they howl and hiss and lash out at her.
We recently added a 5yo Labrador cross to our family. She is a very gentle and beautiful girl who would dearly like to make friends with our cats. The cats are, understandably, terrified of her and whenever she comes near them they howl and hiss and lash out at her.
Is there anything I can do to assist the cats in relaxing around her? She means them no harm at all. Do you think they will get more comfortable around her in time?
Thanks!
Dogs Health and Training
June 28th, 2009 3:08 pm
Lock them in a closet together.
July 1st, 2009 12:26 am
Introduce them to eachother slowly, don’t force them to be around eachother, especially if the cats are freaking out, it will do more harm than good. Our cats were 1 when we introduced a German Shepherd puppy to the family, and they hated her forever. They never got along, but the dog wasn’t that friendly to them either! You just have to take it slow and let them realise over time that the dog isn’t a giant, hairy cat-killer like they probably think it is at the moment! Good luck!
July 3rd, 2009 1:54 pm
Well my mom’s friend has cats,dogs,and bunnies,etc. it sucks you have to get the dog and the cat at the same time so that they can like each other 4 there on.say after you buy a puppy.go strait and buy you cat. Hope i helped.if u do that make sure u don’t have dog scent on ya. Hope i helped
July 6th, 2009 12:41 pm
only thing really to help them get along is time… i just recently introduced a chihuahua into my house with a 6 month old kitten and it took about two days now there best friends.. at first it took them some time b/c they both never seen each other before and weren’t too sure of each other… im sure they’ll be fine (:
July 9th, 2009 2:41 pm
Well i found this website that i think just might be of use to you :]. Hope i helped -x0xoAmyxox0
July 12th, 2009 8:28 am
Yes, but it may take months. In the meantime, make sure your cats have “safe areas” to retreat to. For instance, I used baby gates to block off my dining room for my cats. It is an area they can run to and quickly feel safe because the gates keep the dogs out. As my cats started gaining some trust, I made sure my dogs learned not to chase the cats and to be gentle with them. Make sure your dog learns the “leave it” command so that you can tame your dog’s attention to the cats. This is what I did and now my dogs (German Shepherds) and cats get along great. In fact, as I look at them at this very moment the cat is curled up along side the dog and they are sleeping side by side. I think they love each other.
It just takes time.