How long does it take a cat to get used to a dog?

[TNDemo]

(Man, I can just feel those annoying copycat posts on the way.)

We have a 4-year-old cat who has lived without a dog all this time. We got a beagle/basset mix yesterday (a bagel?) and the cat is a very unhappy camper. She is very much a people person and has to be wherever we are but she is basically hiding under the bed. The dog wants to play with her but she just sees the dog as a predator and will have none of it. Will they eventually learn to live well together or is the cat just going to grow old and bitter and live under the bed?

[WillParkinson]

1. Our cats...

Have not taken kindly to Bailey - with the exception of Cider who wants to wrestle with him.

Cat doesn't care about him as long as he stays the hell away from her.

Dot would prefer to sleep up high where he can't reach but if he's on the ground and Bailey gets near there's a hissy fit waiting to happen.

Star will do whatever it takes to be elsewhere when Bailey is around.

However, they are much better off than when we first brought him into the house.

So, in answer to your question, they probably will co-exist but it may not be as 'best friends'.

[tandot]

2. that might take a while...

I got my cat Tommy as a kitten when I already had my dog Leo for a couple of years. I think it is harder when the cat is older and was there first.

Just give the cat enough room so she/he can escape. And try to correct your dog when he gets too eager.

Even my dog still chases cats. There is just something about a kitty running away. He even chases my Tommy when he gets outside. But as soon as any cat stops and turns around, he'll hit the brakes, and walks in a different direction, pretending not to even notice the cat.

[lovedems]

5. That was my first thought, an older cat is less likely to *ever* get use

to a dog.

Our cat was less then a year old when we got our Border Collie (active dog) and after a couple of weeks they became great friends. They had a bonding moment over a large locust in our back yard because they both wanted to "play" with it.

They wrestle and are great friends now but I am certain it is because our cat was so young. Good luck! I hope your cat eventually accepts your dog because there is something inherently funny about a cat and dog being such good pals!

[TNDemo]

3. When I was growing up my cat and dog

ate out of the same bowl, slept in the same bed and were best buddies. I think the difference is we brought the cat in as a kitten. Our dog (who had been spayed for years) tried to nurse the kitten and they really bonded. My cat is a kitty with an attitude and right now it is extremely pissed off. This dog is very sweet and is used to having other dogs to romp with at the foster home so she is kinda lonely and ready to play but the cat would just prefer her to eat dirt and die.

[1monster]

4. Depends on the cat.

I have six cats and one dog. Five of the cats get along very well with the Sheltie, one does not. They avoid each other completely... And they have lived in the same house now for nearly six years.

[Spinzonner]

7. Have they made the Sheltie an honorary cat

And I've heard Shelties obsessively herd. Any problems with that ?

[1monster]

13. Shelties DO obsessively herd! But when my Sheltie tries to herd the

cats, something really wonderful happens. The Sheltie ends up being herded by the cat(s). It's really funny to watch. Cats are stalkers and herders cannot herd stalkers.

[bif]

6. After he claws the dog's eyes out

He'll feel more comfortable around the dog. Actually, I have no idea.

[k in IA]

8. It just takes time. The cat has to realize the dog isn't leaving (that

can take awhile) and that they aren't all that bad (for a dog, of course).

We had a black cat that was 6 and adopted a basset (adult dog). It took time but they became buddies. The cat was the alpha animal in the house and the dog accepted it. The dog would still chase the cat around and bark at her some times but she could put him in his place with a few pops to the nose (and she didn't have claws). The cat would also stalk the dog when she was feeling frisky.

The easiest (and completely accidental) pet adjustment we had was when we first got the cat and already had a schnauzer. The kitten did not like having the dog around (and it was a very low key dog). Well, the kitty was obviously older than they told us and she went into heat before we had gotten her fixed. She was rubbing up against the dog and liking the dog A LOT. We got her fixed and after that they were great buds.

[Liberal Classic]

9. Well, that largely depends on the individual animals but

The most likely outcome is a détente between cat and dog.

The proceedure is almost the same as bringing another cat into the household. The same adjustment period applies.

I already had cats when I got my dog. They didn't like it at first, and of course the dog was very curious. Eventually my cats have come to just ignore the dog with the usual catty aloofness. My dog is a lab mix, kind of quiet and mellow. She doesn't bother the cats at all. I wouldn't worry too much. A beagle basset mix doesn't sound too agressive. Eventually they will come to ignore each other.

One of the best things to do is to discourage your dog from chasing the cat. Sorry if this is too obvious. Also, close the bedroom door periodically to give the cat a chance to eat and use the litter box.

Best way to have cats that like dogs is to raise them around each other. My cats that were adults when I got the dog still don't like the dog to get too close, but that's about it. The one cat that has been around the dog from kittenhood still plays with the dog a little, things like swatting at the dogs tail as she goes by. They sniff and groom each other just a little. I wouldn't expect this level of socialization from an adult cat who has never been exposed to dogs, but cats can and will adapt just fine.

How long? I can't say exactly. If you cat won't come out at all tease it with food and cat litter. I would guess your cat should start to relax in a few days to a week. By relax, I mean act some what normal when the dog is not in view. That's why I said to give your uptight feline friend some alone time. After that, the cat should start venturing around the place. If he sees the dog and then retreats, that's ok. There's no hurrying a cat. I would say so long as your dog doesn't terrorize your cat in a couple months things will be back to normal.

Good luck!

[DBoon]

10. What is the dog's expected lifespan

Usually about that long....

Cats are patient, and usually outlive dogs.

[stellanoir]

11. some make peace. . .some live in mutual tolerance. . .

some live in mutual distain. . .some will have to wait to reincarnate in different species altogether.

Here's an e-mail (n/l) I got about a year ago that explains the latter possibility quite well. . .

EXCERPTS FROM A DOG'S DIARY
Day 180
8:00 am - OH BOY! DOG FOOD! MY FAVORITE!
9:30 am - OH BOY! A CAR RIDE! MY FAVORITE!
9:40 am - OH BOY! A WALK! MY FAVORITE!
10:30 am - OH BOY! A CAR RIDE! MY FAVORITE!
11:30 am - OH BOY! DOG FOOD! MY FAVORITE!
12:00 noon - OH BOY! THE KIDS! MY FAVORITE!
1:00 pm - OH BOY! THE YARD! MY FAVORITE!
4:00 pm - OH BOY! THE KIDS! MY FAVORITE!
5:00 pm - OH BOY! DOG FOOD! MY FAVORITE!
5:30 pm - OH BOY! MOM! MY FAVORITE!

Day 181
8:00 am - OH BOY! DOG FOOD! MY FAVORITE!
9:30 am - OH BOY! A CAR RIDE! MY FAVORITE!
9:40 am - OH BOY! A WALK! MY FAVORITE!
10:30 am - OH BOY! A CAR RIDE! MY FAVORITE!
11:30 am - OH BOY! DOG FOOD! MY FAVORITE!
12:00 noon - OH BOY! THE KIDS! MY FAVORITE!
1:00 pm - OH BOY! THE YARD! MY FAVORITE!
4:00 pm - OH BOY! THE KIDS! MY FAVORITE!
5:00 pm - OH BOY! DOG FOOD! MY FAVORITE!
5:30 pm - OH BOY! MOM! MY FAVORITE!

Day 182
8:00 am - OH BOY! DOG FOOD! MY FAVORITE!
9:30 am - OH BOY! A CAR RIDE! MY FAVORITE!
9:40 am - OH BOY! A WALK! MY FAVORITE!
10:30 am - OH BOY! A CAR RIDE! MY FAVORITE!
11:30 am - OH BOY! DOG FOOD! MY FAVORITE!
12:00 noon - OH BOY! THE KIDS! MY FAVORITE!
1:00 pm - OH BOY! THE YARD! MY FAVORITE!
1:30 pm - OOOOOOOH. BATH. BUMMER!
4:00 pm - OH BOY! THE KIDS! MY FAVORITE!
5:00 pm - OH BOY! DOG FOOD! MY FAVORITE!
5:30 pm - OH BOY! MOM! MY FAVORITE!

EXCERPTS FROM A CAT'S DIARY

DAY 183
My captors continue to taunt me with bizarre
little dangling objects. They
dine lavishly on fresh meat, while I am forced to
eat dry cereal. The only
thing that keeps me going is the hope of escape,
and the mild satisfaction
I get from ruining the occasional piece of
furniture. Tomorrow I may eat
another houseplant.

DAY 184
Today my attempt to kill my captors by weaving
around their feet while they
were walking almost succeeded, must try this at
the top of the stairs. In
an attempt to disgust and repulse these vile
oppressors, I once again
induced myself to vomit on their favorite chair
... must try this on their
bed.

DAY 185
Decapitated a mouse and brought them the headless
body, in attempt to make
them aware of what I am capable of, and to try to
strike fear into their
hearts. They only cooed and condescended about
what a good little cat I
was ... Hmmm. Not working according to plan.

DAY 186
I am finally aware of how sadistic they are. For
no good reason I was
chosen for the water torture. This time however it
included a burning foamy
chemical
called "shampoo." What sick minds could invent
such a liquid. My only
consolation is the piece of thumb still stuck
between my teeth.

DAY 187
There was some sort of gathering of their
accomplices. I was placed in
solitary throughout the event. However, I could
hear the noise and smell
the foul odor of the glass tubes they call "beer".
More importantly I
overheard that my confinement was due to MY power
of "allergies." Must
learn what this is and how to use it to my
advantage.

DAY 188
I am convinced the other captives are flunkies and
maybe snitches. The dog
is routinely released and seems more than happy to
return. He is obviously
a half-wit. The bird on the other hand has got to
be an informant, and
speaks with them regularly. I am certain he
reports my every move. Due to
his current placement in the metal room, his
safety is assured.

But I can wait, it is only a matter of time...

[WillParkinson]

12. HAW HAW!

Thank you for waking my puppy. Now I've got to get my shoe back.

[HuckleB]

14. Time, time, time.

Since your cat is a "people cat," try to get the dog out for a walk or in the backyard every day, and then give the cat some "people time" while the dog is away. This might help the cat remain a part of the family, keeping its bitterness at bay, a bit, so to speak.

[boobooday]

15. We had the dog first

And then brought in the kittens when they were very young. The three of them now have a very close relationship, although they still bicker over who gets the favored "spots" on the bed and stuff.

Probably, eventually, the cat will train the dog. :-)

http://www.wgoeshome.com