Need advice on cats and new dog

[Evanescenceclueless]

Hello. New to the forum.

Hoping some of you lovely people have advice.

I have two male cats. 4 and 5 years old.

I have just bought a 6 year old dog. Its a medium size and is very, very calm.

My youngest cat is slowly getting used to the dog as he has never seen one before. My oldest cat however it scared. He will have a look around the room but runs when he spots him. Nearest he got was sniffing the dog (dog didn't react). When he felt threatened he hissed.

Is there anything I can do to help the change go more smoothly? Just don't want them feeling like they can't walk around.

As far as I know, all animals are eating, drinking and toileting fine.

[Lilith]

Hi there and welcome

I take it the dog's a very recent arrival? Like in the past couple of days?

If so I think it sounds as if things are going very well indeed for such early days. One cat's laid back; the other is cross but not intimidated despite walking out of the room (they do do this; anything, from a new dog to a new duvet, is Change, and cats hate that, although a new dog is a BIG change ofcourse.) The dog's staying calm.

It does sound as if you've picked a suitable dog personality; in the past I've kept cats and dogs but brought the dogs in as puppies - and let the cats show the pups who was boss; luckily the cats were gentle, but I always made sure they had a means of escape and any pestering earned the pups a sharp 'no'. I did once try to introduce an adult dog; he was a labrador cross of about a year, untrained and just getting bolshy. He was actually very soppy but I couldn't stop him barking non-stop when he saw a cat, or prevent my biggest cat from trying to murder him ... poor old Paddy went to a rescue, but it was good in a way as I'd got him from a 'death row' 'charity' and he went to a no-kill rescue. In the right hands he'll have been a great dog.

Your situation sounds a lot more hopeful than this.

I think there WILL be ructions, and be prepared for the balance of power to swing back and forth. It won't be easy, but cats and dogs CAN settle and be friends. A feral tomcat once moved in with me, and he was a bruiser, but he used to sit on the wall and have a chat with next door's lurcher; they were fine together. Make a big fuss of the cats, especially the older cat, that goes without saying, and pet the dog behind their backs so as not to hurt their feelings, but it does sound hopeful.

Other people with more experience than me should be along and can give you more advice, but hope this helps for now; all the best and please update

[Evanescenceclueless]

Thank you for the reply.

Good idea. I have bought a calming plug in to try to calm them down.

The dog has been with us for just under a week so yes very new. Have had a few problems ie one of the cats peed on my bed. Think this was because the dog barked when the post came. The dog does not bark at any other time.

They have got to the point that they an sit in the same room. The cats are still wary of the dog but at least they are not running away.

I think the dog has been trained in the past but seems like the last owner spoiled him rotten.

If I keep him I will definitely be take him to a training place.

At least he is giving the cats the bedroom on a night as he sleeps in the living room.

Glad to know that you think its got potential and I hope you are right and they could be OK together.

The dog is from a rescue center and I could give him back but it would be heart braking.