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Help, I just adopted a 5-7 year old stray cat. Ihave two other cats who he seems ok with. My problem is he is going after my dog. I have him in a seperate room and have been trying to get them together with no hissing. Howver, after 2 weeks it's still happening. I really want this to work. What can I do and how long will this take, if ever?

Optional Information:
Age: 6; Male; Breed: domestic cat

Already Tried:
keeping cat in one room while tring to slowly bring dog into room and sitting next to me

Customer (name blocked for privacy)

Status: Closed Value: $8

Hi--

Bless you for trying to bring this new kitty into your home. Since he was a stray, my guess is he had a bad experience with a dog in the past that is ingrained and he may never get along well with your dog. At this point, possibly the best thing you can do is to try to find him a home with no dogs. Having other cats to adjust to is difficult enough, but if he is going after the dog, hissing and spitting, he honestly will probably never be able to acclimate himself to being in a home with one. If he's not neutered, you might do that, as well as purchasing some feliway plugins from your pet supply store to put in the house. These have a calming effect and may help somewhat. As a last ditch resort if you are truly insistent on keeping this boy, you may ask your vet if he can recommend a veterinary behaviorist that may be able to assist in reconditioning the kitty to at least tolerate the dog. I believe this will be a process that will require a lot of patience and persistence on your part. Good luck and let me know if you're successful in meshing these two into a happy relationship.

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Lori McLaughlin
Your veterinarian should ALWAYS be consulted first and foremost when your pet's welfare is at stake.

Reply to Lori's Post: i'm unwilling at this ppoint to give up. he is neutured and it's only been two weeks. is there anything else you can suggest

Dear friend,

Lori asked me to see if I could help.

First, I must say that this is a switch as it is usually the other way around LOL.

Please do not worry too much - I promise you this is going to work and things will change as long as the dog is not aggressive. Since this kitty lived on the streets he is used to defending himself and his territory. He has alreday accepted the other cats so you are halfway there. Get some soft paws at www.softpaws.com and put them on him so he cannot injure the dog. Do not let the do take his food or attempt to play roughly with him.Get him to bond with you and trust you by feeding him out of your hand.

Animals are very smart - right now kitty is just warning the dog, esablishing boundaries, and asserting his authority - as soon as he establishes a pecking order - so to speak - he and the dog will be able to coexist in peace. They may even become friends one day.

Please let me know if you have more questions, I will be happy to help.

Very sincerely,

Terr

Dedicated to Cats and the people who love them!
Please press ACCEPT if my answer was helpful and leave feedback Thank you! Terri

Reply to Terri Riba's Post: thank you so much for your words of encourgaement. Besides the soft paws shouls I leave him in his safe room with his food and litter box or move them down stairs. Do I keep bring the dog into the safe roomfor longer periods of time. When he does jump and hiss at her what do I do speak soothering or be more firm Any guideline will be greatly appreciated, but your words of encourgement have eased my heart
Thank you so much
billie

Hi Billie,

Just let him do whatever he wants. Leave the door to his safe room open and let him decide when to venture out. Make sure he always has a place to retreat to like under a bed.

Do not be firm as cats do not respond well to any tipe of discipline - just be soothing and assure him that he is OK and all is well. Win his confidence by feeding him out of your hand., To a cat food is love and cats CAN be bribed!!! Two weeks is a very short ime to a cat - just follow his lead and let him call the shots and things will work out - I promise.

Warmest best wishes,

Terri

Dedicated to Cats and the people who love them!
Please press ACCEPT if my answer was helpful and leave feedback Thank you! Terri

Reply to Terri Riba's Post: Terri, Just one more thing. You didn't say about where to feed him in his room as well as where to put litter box. Should Imove these items downstairs or keep them in his safe room
Thanks again

Hi Billie,

I would leave his things in the safe room for now and feed him in there as well - but keep the door ajar so he can venture out when he is ready. Remember - when he hisses and jumps at the dog he is only warning him off because he is afraid. As soon as he realizes he has nothing to fear and the dog won't try to hurt him he will relax and stop it. Right now he is just a scaredy cat. LOL

Terri

Dedicated to Cats and the people who love them!
Please press ACCEPT if my answer was helpful and leave feedback Thank you! Terri

Reply to Terri Riba's Post: Thank you again so much for your time and encourgement from both myself and Jackson.

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