Introducing dogs and cats

Emilieu

Emilieu

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I'm currently in the process of moving in with my OH who is the proud owner of a 2 year old Chihuahua. My two cats will be moving with me. I've tried looking up advice online but most advice assumes that you will be introducing a chihuahua puppy into your home with existing cats. Does anyone have any advice for introducing adult cats to an adult dog's territory? The three animals have been together at my house (ie the cats' territory) with no major issues but the Chi is pretty protective of his own house (and of his dad... took him quite a while to warm to me!).

I was thinking of putting the cats in the spare room to begin with, only letting them out into the rest of the house when the Chi is at work with my OH, then gradually leaving the spare room door open but with a barrier so the cats can get in but the chi can't. Does that sound like a good plan?

Thanks in advance for any ideas and tips!
 
Do be careful with the dog. I remember a woman who looked after her neighbours Chi and the first night her siamese cat killed and ate the chi. I kid you not. so caution I think.
 
Crate train the dog. Then allow the cats into the room where the dog is in the crate. Dog learns to cope with the presence of the cats and vice versa. Or find some way of ensuring they are safe but can see each other - the aim is for them to learn to cope without reacting.
 
Pamfyson said:
Do be careful with the dog. I remember a woman who looked after her neighbours Chi and the first night her siamese cat killed and ate the chi. I kid you not. so caution I think.
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Gulp. Maybe will not share that story with OH in case we find ourselves uninvited!

Neither of the cats have much in the way of hunting instinct thank goodness, unlike my friend's cat who kills squirrels regularly!! I am concisous however that they are twice the size of him and better armed.
 
JillA said:
Crate train the dog. Then allow the cats into the room where the dog is in the crate. Dog learns to cope with the presence of the cats and vice versa. Or find some way of ensuring they are safe but can see each other - the aim is for them to learn to cope without reacting.
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Thank you. Dog is crate trained. I will try introducing them to the main part of the house this way.
 
Not of any help to you, but some years ago when I got my first dog, a Staffy cross, I still had an elderly cat. When I brought Maisie home, I assumed the cat would be in her usual place on my bed. No, she'd found the new dog bed in the kitchen and made herself at home in it! The two of them came face to face, Tiggy swiped Maisie round the face, and they got on just fine ater that!!

Good luck with your move.
 
NikkiF said:
Not of any help to you, but some years ago when I got my first dog, a Staffy cross, I still had an elderly cat. When I brought Maisie home, I assumed the cat would be in her usual place on my bed. No, she'd found the new dog bed in the kitchen and made herself at home in it! The two of them came face to face, Tiggy swiped Maisie round the face, and they got on just fine ater that!!

Good luck with your move.
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Thank you very much :)
I do love a fiesty cat!
 
As usual, I suggest preparing for the worst (= they will behave as if they hate each other), because then, it usually goes better than in the worst case scenario. I think it sounds like a good idea to first let the cats move in to the spare room, and give them two or more days to make themselves feel at home, and then follow JillA's suggestion about putting the dog in a crate the first time/times when you let them out of the spare room.

If it is possible, it could be a good idea to make the introduction when the dog is a little tired e.g. after a longer walk, and/or the cats are a little tired after that you've e.g. combed or played with them.

I mention combing, because my cats behaves as if combing is partly quite nice, but partly a personal insult towards their ability to take care of themselves. And when I'm finished, they usually seems to think that I've somehow made them dirty and they have to clean themselves... Which makes me think of combing as something that makes my cats less energetic.

Fingers crossed for that it goes as well as possible.

fingerscrossed.gif
 
FinnishLapphund said:
As usual, I suggest preparing for the worst (= they will behave as if they hate each other), because then, it usually goes better than in the worst case scenario. I think it sounds like a good idea to first let the cats move in to the spare room, and give them two or more days to make themselves feel at home, and then follow JillA's suggestion about putting the dog in a crate the first time/times when you let them out of the spare room.

If it is possible, it could be a good idea to make the introduction when the dog is a little tired e.g. after a longer walk, and/or the cats are a little tired after that you've e.g. combed or played with them.

I mention combing, because my cats behaves as if combing is partly quite nice, but partly a personal insult towards their ability to take care of themselves. And when I'm finished, they usually seems to think that I've somehow made them dirty and they have to clean themselves... Which makes me think of combing as something that makes my cats less energetic.

Fingers crossed for that it goes as well as possible.

fingerscrossed.gif
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Ha ha my boy thinks combing is quite nice right up until the point where he decides it an attempt on his life and freaks out, clawing your arm to ribbons! Great idea to tire them out though, a walk for the dog and a game of lazer pens for the cats should do the trick :)
Told OH about the chihuahua eating cat. Don't think he'll be taking his eyes off the wee man for the first few weeks! :D
Thanks for all the suggestions, I'll let you know how we go x
 
Yes be careful the cats dont attack the dog and dont leave them alone together. My terrier was a cat hater when we got our cat but after about 3 mths.careful and consistent training they now curl up in the same basket.Only works with our cat,any other he sees in the garden he is after like a shot.It did it Cesar Milan way,involves no cruelty as some think his methods are and worked perfectly.
 
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