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Cat Forum / Health and Behavior / January 2004My cat is attacking new small dog
My young 15 pound cat has started stalking and lunging for my new small, timid yorkie rescue I brought home last Sat. The dog just cowers and the cat knows he can do whatever he wants to and she won't fight back. Thus far, I have been able to stop it before he hurts her. I think he thinks she is prey of some sort - like a squirrel. All the literature I can find on the net is about dogs attacking cats. Has anyone else experienced this with their cats? Any suggestions? I keep them separated as best I can. This poor little yorkie has had a horrible life and deserves better than this. I have tried to give the cat extra attention but that hasn't worked. The first couple of days they were fine. It has been getting worse. I don't know what to do to improve things. Help!! Thanks! > My young 15 pound cat has started stalking and lunging for my new small, timid > yorkie rescue I brought home last Sat. The dog just cowers and the cat knows he [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > fine. It has been getting worse. I don't know what to do to improve things. > Help!! Thanks! You haven't owned the dog very long; certainly not long enough to form the same bond that you have with your cat. Like you said already, the dog deserves a better home; so simply give the dog back. There are other needy dogs that could do just fine in your home. Why go thru a lot of trouble experimenting with changes in your home that would never be as good for that particular dog as a better home than yours? I have to agree. Give the dog back. I have to wonder why people mix cats and dogs to begin with in the same household? If the OP wanted another animal then get another cat so they can keep each other company.  SignaturePanther TEK: Staying On Top Of All Your Computer Needs! www.members.cox.net/catprotector/panthertek Cat Galaxy: All Cats, All The Time! www.catgalaxymedia.com "Knack" <zok9NOSPAM@hotmail.com> wrote in message news:b8AQb.25061 > You haven't owned the dog very long; certainly not long enough to form the > same bond that you have with your cat. Like you said already, the dog [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > a lot of trouble experimenting with changes in your home that would never be > as good for that particular dog as a better home than yours? > I have to agree. Give the dog back. I have to wonder why people mix cats and > dogs to begin with in the same household? If the OP wanted another animal > then get another cat so they can keep each other company. Cats and dogs can do fine together. The thing is you need to do a gradual introduction. One week is not gradual. Google "introducing pets" and you will find many good links. I grew up with dogs and cats that never had a problem together but we didn't just put them together right off the bat. One of our dogs absolutely took care of kittens like her own babies. Karen I haven't put them together immediately and at first they sniffed each other and it seemed to be okay. It was later that the male cat, Kobey, decided to attack my yorkie. This has been very hard for me. I love the little yorkie but the cats were here first. The yorkie was apparently a breeder in a puppy mill and then adopted by a family that had small children that harrassed her. She is afraid of her own shadow and obviously physically abused. So sad as she deserves a wonderful home for herself. > I haven't put them together immediately and at first they sniffed each other > and it seemed to be okay. It was later that the male cat, Kobey, decided to [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > afraid of her own shadow and obviously physically abused. So sad as she > deserves a wonderful home for herself. I guess I would say start over. I think it can work if you go much more gradually. You've only had the dog a week. Also, there is a product called Feliway which you could get to see if it helps calm the cat down a bit. Otherwise, I just think that you should go back to separate rooms with small amounts of exposure. I think you definitely need to slow it down. Karen >>I have to agree. Give the dog back. I have to wonder why people mix cats and >>dogs to begin with in the same household? If the OP wanted another animal [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > > Karen So does my dog. Every foster kitten I've had has been groomed and cuddled by Bubbas. Indeed the key is slow introductions. I think if you even google this group about dogs and cats you can find info. > I have to agree. Give the dog back. I have to wonder why people mix cats and > dogs to begin with in the same household? If the OP wanted another animal > then get another cat so they can keep each other company. God you're an idiot. Have you ever owned a dog? My dog gets a lot of companionship from two of my cats and they like him. Lots of dogs and cats get along wonderfully, try to actually know what you're talking about before you spout off. >> I have to agree. Give the dog back. I have to wonder why people mix cats >and >> dogs to begin with in the same household? If the OP wanted another animal "Give the dog back." I realize reading isn't your strong suit, but the OP did mention the dog is rescued puppy mill breeding stock, who went to one (failed) adoption. She is confused, and probably terrified, and you don't even want to give her a chance. Damn, you're cruel. Sherry circa 26 Jan 2004 04:03:22 GMT, in rec.pets.cats.health+behav, Sherry (sriddles@aol.comkitty) said, > >> I have to agree. Give the dog back. I have to wonder why people mix cats > >and [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > give her a chance. > Damn, you're cruel. Please thread; I didn't recommend giving the dog back, and I'd hate for somebody to think I did because your attribution was to my post. I intend no offense here; I just don't want anybody thinking I would say something as awful as that. :-) Laura SignatureI am Dyslexia of Borg, Your a.s will be laminated. circa Mon, 26 Jan 2004 04:08:48 GMT, in rec.pets.cats.health+behav, Laura R. (usefirstinitialandlastname@technologist.com) said, > > "Give the dog back." I realize reading isn't your strong suit, but the OP did > > mention the dog is rescued puppy mill breeding stock, who went to one (failed) [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > I intend no offense here; I just don't want anybody thinking I would > say something as awful as that. :-) OMG, I am SUCH a doofus! Sorry, Sherry, it seems that *I* am the one with threading problems! Laura SignatureI am Dyslexia of Borg, Your a.s will be laminated. >Please thread; I didn't recommend giving the dog back, and I'd hate >for somebody to think I did because your attribution was to my post. >I intend no offense here; I just don't want anybody thinking I would >say something as awful as that. :-) > >Laura Oh dang, Laura, I think that's the second time I've done that to you. I'm sorry. Sherry > >Please thread; I didn't recommend giving the dog back, and I'd hate > >for somebody to think I did because your attribution was to my post. [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > Oh dang, Laura, I think that's the second time I've done that to you. I'm > sorry. No, Sherry, this time it was ALLLL me. :-) Sorry about that! Laura circa Sat, 24 Jan 2004 17:00:28 -0700, in rec.pets.cats.health+behav, Cat Protector (catprotector@cox.net) said, > I have to agree. Give the dog back. I have to wonder why people mix cats and > dogs to begin with in the same household? If the OP wanted another animal > then get another cat so they can keep each other company. Oh, good lord. Please stop posting your worthless, inaccurate "advice". To the OP- What others have told you about starting over and introducing the animals gradually is good advice. I wouldn't surrender the dog just yet- I'd re-approach the introductions from a different, more gradual angle. Laura SignatureI am Dyslexia of Borg, Your a.s will be laminated. > circa Sat, 24 Jan 2004 17:00:28 -0700, in rec.pets.cats.health+behav, > Cat Protector (catprotector@cox.net) said, [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > surrender the dog just yet- I'd re-approach the introductions from a > different, more gradual angle. If the OP needs an acceptable dog, it'll be a heck of a lot faster and easier to replace the wimpy dog rather than to try to correct the relationship between it and the cat. Obviously the OP isn't too particular about dogs or that dog wouldn't be of the rescue variety. Should be a quick and easy switch if it's done soon (before OP gets attached to it, and before the return policy of the shelter expires for that dog). circa Sun, 25 Jan 2004 04:38:01 GMT, in rec.pets.cats.health+behav, Knack (zok9NOSPAM@hotmail.com) said, > Obviously the OP isn't too particular > about dogs or that dog wouldn't be of the rescue variety. I find this statement repugnant. Laura SignatureI am Dyslexia of Borg, Your a.s will be laminated. > circa Sun, 25 Jan 2004 04:38:01 GMT, in rec.pets.cats.health+behav, > Knack (zok9NOSPAM@hotmail.com) said, > > Obviously the OP isn't too particular > > about dogs or that dog wouldn't be of the rescue variety. > > > I find this statement repugnant. I might if I could decode it. Is English CP's second language? > Laura > > circa Sun, 25 Jan 2004 04:38:01 GMT, in rec.pets.cats.health+behav, > > Knack (zok9NOSPAM@hotmail.com) said, [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > > I might if I could decode it. Is English CP's second language? Apologies to CP. Bad attributions. My Bad. To give you all more information, I have been volunteering at this dog rescue foundation since October and this yorkie has been there all that time (since July 2 actually). She was living with 20 other rescue dogs and was terrified. I kept waiting for the right home to appear for her but it never did. We didn't know how she would do with cats. She had always been my favorite dog and I felt protective of her. I couldn't stand to send her back with all the other bigger dogs anymore and decided to try it. She is my first dog. I really wasn't intending to add a dog to my family. This one just needed to get out of where she was. In spite of the cat problem she is really coming out of her shell. I care about her a lot and can see she would really blossom as the only animal perhaps with a retired person/couple. But I also hate to see her go through another move if this can be resolved. circa 25 Jan 2004 19:55:37 GMT, in rec.pets.cats.health+behav, Kailey11 (kailey11@aol.com) said, > To give you all more information, I have been volunteering at this dog rescue > foundation since October and this yorkie has been there all that time (since [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > perhaps with a retired person/couple. But I also hate to see her go through > another move if this can be resolved. There is no need for you to give the dog up at this point. It was clear from your first post that you had known the dog for a while, and that you had bonded with her. Assuming that she's "just a shelter dog" and that you therefore must find her interchangeable or a throwaway, was rude, IMO. I think you should go with the advice about gradual introductions. It can work. It just takes time and patience. Laura SignatureSuccessful men follow the same advice they prescribe for others. >To give you all more information, I have been volunteering at this dog rescue >foundation since October and this yorkie has been there all that time (since [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] >dogs anymore and decided to try it. She is my first dog. I really wasn't >intending to add a dog to my family. Congratulations on adopting a puppy mill dog. It's not easy to turn a mill breeder dog into a pet, which I'm sure you know. We had dogs who were beyond timid, who were fear biters, and who would lie in their own feces because that's what they'd done all their lives in the cages, and were nigh impossible to housetrain....sad, sad things, some of them. I hope yours came away from her old life with few behavioral problems. Anyway, I think eventually, with lots and lots of patience, she'll do fine and the cat will learn sort of "disgust treaty" and for the most part ignore the dog. You've just got to keep them separated as much as possible for now, pay extra attention to both, and be patient. Try it for a little longer. You sound very attached to her already and I think it may work out. Please keep us posted. Yorkies must be very popular with puppy millers. We seized 280 dogs Dec. of 2001 and the big majority were Yorkies. They're sweet little dogs. Sherry > I have to agree. Give the dog back. I have to wonder why people mix cats and > dogs to begin with in the same household? If the OP wanted another animal > then get another cat so they can keep each other company. Because cats and dogs can get along just fine. Mine do. Signature-- ~kaeli~ The definition of a will?... (It's a dead giveaway.) http://www.ipwebdesign.net/wildAtHeart http://www.ipwebdesign.net/kaelisSpace >Because cats and dogs can get along just fine. >Mine do. Mine do, too. Not at first, for sure, and they don't exactly love each other, but they co-exist just fine. Bootsie even rubs on him, when she isn't smacking him, and he wants to chase her *so bad*, but she won't run. Happy was a shelter dog scheduled for euthanasia. I brought him home as a "foster" never intending to keep him and knowing it would be hard to get these high-strung cats to accept him. It was probably three solid months of "musical pets"...cats in, dog out. Dog in, cats out. Dog in bedroom, catts in living area. Vice versa. It worked, eventually, I got attached to the little doo doo head and we still have him. Sherry > Mine do, too. Not at first, for sure, and they don't exactly love each other, > but they co-exist just fine. Bootsie even rubs on him, when she isn't smacking [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > > Sherry I've been quite lucky. I have never had to do musical pets. Aside from a timeout for evilness, no one gets separated in different rooms. I bring home furry things and plop them on the floor and everyone has their little hissy fit and gets over it pretty quick, for the most part. Rowan can be pissy for quite some time, but she never gets overly aggressive or anything. I brought home a puppy, plopped her on the floor, and went about my day like nothing was unusual. The cats were confused, but not overly afraid or aggressive. She was separated from the cats in a crate (in bedroom with the door open so the cats could see and smell her and even approach if they chose) when I wasn't home and never allowed to chase them or see them as prey. Aside from a general sense of disgust, the girls were fine with her. Here's a pic of Sam and Rowan the very first day. http://www.ipwebdesign.net/wildAtHeart/kids/RowanSammie3.jpg A year or so later, I brought home Jeffrey and plopped him on the floor. The girls were pissy, but there were no fights. Sam loved him. Jeffrey loved Sam (he was raised with dogs) and was friends with Sam before he was friends with the girl kitties. :) Here's Jeffrey rubbing Sam. http://www.ipwebdesign.net/wildAtHeart/kids/SammieJeffrey3.jpg Signature-- ~kaeli~ A man's home is his castle..., in a manor of speaking. http://www.ipwebdesign.net/wildAtHeart http://www.ipwebdesign.net/kaelisSpace > > Mine do, too. Not at first, for sure, and they don't exactly love each other, > > but they co-exist just fine. Bootsie even rubs on him, when she isn't smacking [quoted text clipped - 30 lines] > Here's Jeffrey rubbing Sam. > http://www.ipwebdesign.net/wildAtHeart/kids/SammieJeffrey3.jpg Oh man, that is THE cutest picture. Karen circa Mon, 26 Jan 2004 14:37:00 -0600, in rec.pets.cats.health+behav, kaeli (tiny_one@NOSPAM.comcast.net) said, > I brought home a puppy, plopped her on the floor, and went about my day > like nothing was unusual. The cats were confused, but not overly afraid [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > Here's Jeffrey rubbing Sam. > http://www.ipwebdesign.net/wildAtHeart/kids/SammieJeffrey3.jpg Oh, those are SUCH cute pictures! Laura SignatureI am Dyslexia of Borg, Your a.s will be laminated. Those pics are precious! See, dogs and cats *can* get along, and sometimes even love each other! Sherry > circa Mon, 26 Jan 2004 14:37:00 -0600, in rec.pets.cats.health+behav, > kaeli (tiny_one@NOSPAM.comcast.net) said, [quoted text clipped - 16 lines] > > > Oh, those are SUCH cute pictures! Yep. Cute critters!! I want to live at Kaeli's house! ;) > > Oh, those are SUCH cute pictures! > > Yep. Cute critters!! I want to live at Kaeli's house! ;) Thanks all! :) Signature-- ~kaeli~ Not one shred of evidence supports the notion that life is serious. http://www.ipwebdesign.net/wildAtHeart http://www.ipwebdesign.net/kaelisSpace > My young 15 pound cat has started stalking and lunging for my new small, timid > yorkie rescue Is your cat neutered? Yes,he is neutered. Since he was 6 weeks old (much to early for my preference). Go back to keeping them seperated and din't make any decisions until you've worked on their relationship for at least a month. It can take that long or longer with 2 adult cats, so why shouldn't it with a cat and a dog? They may end up at the best of friends after three straight weeks of attacking. You never know. And that poor little dog may never get another chance at adoption. Feliway is a good suggestion. Also limit their time together, if you can, and make it clear to the cat that you are sad and unhappy when the dog gets attacked. Be reassuring to your cat (who is simply protecting territory from an invasion) and basically do all of the things suggested when introducing two cats. You cannot judge success or failure in a week. And it will be easier in the long run for your cat to adjust to this dog than to start all over again with another. I know it's human nature to feel pain for the newcomer, but honestly, they more than likely will work out a mutually tolerable arrangement for living together in a couple of months. And you got a pretty tough little cat. Trying to be alpha cat with a dog is pretty ballsy : Cats are royalty after all so the feline is making sure the canine knows this. My neighbor has a dog, a siberian husky that he says loves cats. Of course when this dog encountered my cats, they hissed and arched their backs. This dog wasn't coming at them growling or in any type of threatining manner (he is actually one of those dogs that just has a lot of puppylike energy) but my cats saw the enemy. The interesting part of this dog is that he reminds me of the sled dogs in that movie called "Snow Dogs." There was one in there named Demon so I call my neighbor's dog Snow Dog. Of course his name is Glacier. SignaturePanther TEK: Staying On Top Of All Your Computer Needs! www.members.cox.net/catprotector/panthertek Cat Galaxy: All Cats, All The Time! www.catgalaxymedia.com > And you got a pretty tough little cat. Trying to be alpha cat with a > dog is pretty ballsy : > Go back to keeping them seperated and din't make any decisions until > you've worked on their relationship for at least a month. It can take [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > attacking. You never know. And that poor little dog may never get > another chance at adoption. I agree totally. Even if they are never "best of friends", they'll probably learn to tolerate each other. > Feliway is a good suggestion. It just occurred to me - how does a dog react to Feliway? Their olfactories are so acute, would it bother them? Maybe it would seem like there were a lot of cats around! > Also limit their time together, if you > can, and make it clear to the cat that you are sad and unhappy when [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > And it will be easier in the long run for your cat to adjust to this > dog than to start all over again with another. They're still feeling each other out. You'd definitely be starting from square one with another dog, and what if it was a dog that attacks cats? That's be worse, in my opinion. > I know it's human nature to feel pain for the newcomer, but honestly, > they more than likely will work out a mutually tolerable arrangement > for living together in a couple of months. And dogs love their masters. As long as you show him nothing but love and kindness, he'll adapt and be very happy. > And you got a pretty tough little cat. Trying to be alpha cat with a > dog is pretty ballsy :> Besides which we're talking about a terrier here - they are the toughest little dogs in existence, believe me. Deb SignatureDon't let perfection get in the way of 'pretty damn good'. - "Coach" Jack Donohue
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