Cat vs Dogs

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springermomx3
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Cat vs Dogs

Post by springermomx3 »

We added a new cat to the house day before yesterday. 2-3yr old male, who had been a stray and at the shelter since July. We named him Binks, (he's black, so named him after Thackery Binks from Hocus Pocus).

Anyway, Binks has a really sweet temperament. Wouldnt think of scratching anyone or any other animal. Very laid back and loving.

However when the dogs are around he acts like he's dead. His body goes limp and he won't move. (unless we give him cooked chicken, even then hes afraid to move much).

We've trained the dogs to give him space when we tell them "leave it", and do not allow them to chase. However he still hides all the time and will not move when the dogs are around.

What should we do? I'm not really sure. I know a ton about dog behavior but not cats.
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suttonsue
Posts: 38
Joined: Fri Jun 26, 2009 8:30 am
Location: Birmingham UK

Post by suttonsue »

It's such early days yet. New home for the cat and new animals to contend with. No wonder he's hiding but I'm sure he'll gradually come out and about when he realises that the dogs mean him no harm. Perhaps just keep one dog at a time in the room that he's in so that he doesn't feel overwhelmed. Just be sure that you can control the dogs at all times when the cat is around so that there are no backward steps in his socialising and trusting the dogs.
Lis & Addy
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Post by Lis & Addy »

It's going to take weeks for the cat to adjust to his new home and to the dogs. He may or may not ever be friends with the dogs. He was a stray; just being in a new home is a big adjustment for him, and there's a good chance his previous experiences with dogs have all been bad.

Supervise whenever they're in the same room, make sure the cat has somewhere to go that's not accessible to the dogs--and then let them take it at their own pace. Two or three days is no time at all, and yet, he's already coming out where he will encounter the dogs.

Oh, and continue to give him chicken when he's around the dogs. Help make their presence a good thing.

And, as long as you're making sure the cat is safe around the dogs, don't fret too much. Cats are naturally cautious in investigating and ajusting to new situations.

Lis
springermomx3
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Post by springermomx3 »

Ok thanks guys! I wasnt sure. Like I said I know much more about dogs :P
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mselisabs
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Post by mselisabs »

I love that you named him Binks! So cute!
I actually learned *more* about cat language when we got our dog about 6 weeks ago...

First off, give Binks a few weeks or even a month to get settled. When we first got our cat from a shelter she'd run and hide every time our central heat would come on... a simple rush of air would send her under the bed! Now if a guest comes over and sits on the coach she's in their lap in about two minutes... not to mention when we brought our dog home she walked right up to the pooch and sniffed her nose-to-nose. She's a confident kitty, and Binks will have to work up to being confident too.
Of course, just like a dog, the more "positive" things he gets when the dogs are around the better, just keep his stress level low by making sure the dogs are distracted and not paying attention to him. Although cats are not quite pack animals like dogs, they still respond very strongly to physical status. If I have paying much too much attention to the dog she will come right over and sit in my lap as to "claim" me. Needless to say it does work, my dog's a bit intimidated by her and leaves...


Makes me giggle thinking about him playing dead... sweet little man! Hope every day gets better for you guys!
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