problem introducing a cat into a dog home

[moodiestmare]

About a month ago I rehomed a 7 year old cat. I do have a dog but my dog was aroung my last cat and there was never a problem and if the dog got a bit much my cat just used to bop him.

They have seen eachother on several occasions.

I decided to let keep the cat upstairs and let her come own when she was ready. She would quite happily come downstairs (although quite cautious) after a few days if the dog was in her cage but she would not go in that room.

After about 3 weeks I decided to take the dog upstairs as that has become the cats territory so hopefully she wouldn't be scared. She just stayed on the windowsill and growled a bit. This was because I didn't think that the cat would ever go in the room with the dog. The dog was pretty well behaved and there was certainly no threatening behaviour that I could see. The dog was just a bit excited.

Now though, the cat won't come downstaitrs at all. She is perfectly happy but just seems to want to stay up there. I have tried taking it slowly and have no doubt done everything wrong.

My question is, what do I do now. Should I just accept it that the cat doesn't want anything to do with the dog? It is manageable keeping them seperate but would obviously be easier if they just got on. Also, with the cat being upstairs it will mean she won't be able to go out.

Any ideas?

 

[CAYLA]

You could do what I do, place a baby gate on your stairs (bottom) for safety and feed the cat on the stairs, gradually working from the top step to the bottom to slowly encourage her down, feed her yummy meat/chicken, this is how I have always cat tested dogs and gotten them used to cats, but it will help the other way around, I have a saimese that would happily live her life on the landing, but she has to come down the stairs to get her food

the dog will also see the cat in a calm manor, so good for both (hope that makes sense)

My cat bowls are perminantly on the stairs, it also stops the dogs nicking their food, as they cannot get past the baby gate

 

[CAYLA]

Ps....just to add, after a year of upstairsness for the siamese who has never lived with another dog or cat(then comes to me with 10 dogs and 4 other cats

me feeding her on the stairs has given the the confidence to venture into the kitchen and out into the gardein the summer, cautiously but she does it, I just leave her to it.

 

[CorvusCorax]

I still have problems with cats but when they are all in the house together I shut the cats in at one end of the house. Bella actually cornered one last week and I yelled at her, but when cat puffed up and showed her claws, Big Time Charlie(ne) came trotting back at me looking mortified

 

[mattilda]

Cats being cats will do what they want when they want. She'll find her way down in time, as Cayla says especially come summer when she wants to go out. As your dog is not showing any aggression or wants to chase her will make it easier. Just don't force either of them to socialise. Obviously try to keep the dog calm while the cat is around so she doesn't spook and run (nothing quite so tempting for a doggie)!

 

[moodiestmare]

Yes I know! Unfortunately my dog is somewhat excitable. She is so desperate to be friends. She actually messed herself when she saw cat for 1st time! When cat growled at her on upstairs dog actually jumped up on my lap!

I know damn well doggy wont hurt her because I've seen her around lots of cats and we used to have one. Often used to have scratches on her nose! Only prob with her is she get so excited shes a bit full on. Normally cats just give her a hiss and a punch and she packs it in! New cat hasnt yet though so dog needs sorting out!