DU multi-species pet owners: Question...

[dolo amber]

I have 2 dogs; a 2 year old pug and a 6-ish month old puggle. We have a friend who is going to be staying with us for a bit, and she has a female cat. I'm wondering...being as my dogs have never lived with, or had any real contact with a cat, what's the best way to go about introducing them to each other? The cat was a rescue, used to be an outdoors dumpster diver. I'm sure she's been exposed to dogs, though I have no clue how she reacted.

The puppy is SUPER hyper. She attacks (playing) the pug constantly. I'm hoping that the cat puts her in her place rather quickly with no harm done to either. But if anyone has any solid experience/advice on how to handle this with minimal damage to pets, property, or nerves...I'd certainly appreciate it.

Thanks! :hi:

[ScreamingMeemie]

1. The puppy is going to be over curious; in the cat's face, butt etc...

until the cat gets irritated enough and whacks her one. At least that's what happened here when Jessie came to live with us as a puppy and Merlin had to deal...

Merlin is more bothered by other cats than other dogs. As long as the dogs don't act agressive I think you will be fine. Have fun!

[dolo amber]

2. I'm sure you're right...

How'd you introduce them though? Just put them all in the same room and let them sort it out for themselves? :shrug:

[ScreamingMeemie]

3. We let Jessie run up to Merlin in all of her puppy exuberance and let

him "put her in her place"...All the while watching though, in case of over agressive behaviour. Luckily , all went well. Most times it does, but don't be surprised if the cat finds a hiding place and sticks with it for the visit. Merlin hates when other cats come over (and one time a dog, but he was a cat hunting Munsterlander and had it in his breeding) and will not leave from under our bed until they are gone. He also does this with small children.

[haele]

4. The dogs might consider the cat an interloper.

I'm thinking the cat may be more of an issue than the dogs, especially since she was feral rescue from your description. It's their home, after all. If they know nothing about cats, they will spend a lot of time checking her out and trying to decide where she is in the pack order.

If the cat has not been around friendly dogs before - even if the pug and puggle are close to her size, she will run when checked out and that excites the dog's chase reaction. It will not be a happy experience for any of them, especially if she gets cornered and decides to fight. They'll be expecting her to "submit" since she ran, and if she doesn't, they'll become very confused and possibly consider her a hostile presence. (expect a lot of "bark, bark, snarl, snarl" whenever they see her after she fights back.)

Ultimately, stressed dogs and an upset cat is not fun to be around. Constant barking and/or Kitty Litter-box Revolution is one of the symptoms around our house.

The best preparation you can have is to make sure you have a room she can hang out in that's safe from dogs. If you want interaction, it would be a good thing if you keep her there for the first week or so, and gradually introduce her to the dogs. That way, if it doesn't work at all, she will still feel somewhat safe.

Puppies are no problem. Most cats play puppy bowling if it gets too rambunctious. (mine did)

Good luck.

Haele

[Kali]

5. Agree

If cat was a stray and not used to dogs (or only knows them as danger) this will be a problem.

[Beware the Beast Man]

6. Keep the kitty isolated in its own room for a bit.

For at least a couple days. Every now and then, introduce it to the dogs (with supervision). If you drop the cat in with 2 dogs, things can get fun, the kind of fun you don't want.

Once the doggies get used to the kitty and vice versa, you should be okay. It all depends on how long your guest is staying. Hope this helps. :hi: