Need help introducing cat to dogs...

[Guest Anonymous]

I have a 8 month old Rottie puppy and a 3 year-old golden retriever and yesterday, a stray cat was walking around the door of my apartment and followed me in. I fed her and my girlfriend and I had plans that we couldn't break so we left her alone in the apartment with a litter box and some food/water. When we came home today, the cat was calm as can be and had gone to the bathroom in the litter box and eaten almost all of its food. She has been very friendly and follows us around, lets us pet her, brush her, etc. Now, we've got the cat and the two dogs separated but we'd like the three of them to be able to deal with each other's company. The only problem is the cat seems to be terrified of the dogs as any attempt we've made thus far to introduce the cat to the dogs has ended with the cat arching its back and hissing at the dogs. The dogs are not trying to be threatening at all, they just want to check her out. Anyone had any experience with this before?

[Guest Anonymous]

When introducing a new animal I always try and put the bigger in a crate - since the cat is new, it would also make sense. While a strange cat wandering in your house while your poor dogs watch may be upsetting to them, it is the safest way I can think of. I've also done a new cat in the crate, but that doesn't seem to do anything more than rile the cat up further because the dogs are still in control.

I say crate 'em and let kitty wander - she'll eventually realize that the dogs can't get her and will approach them to sniff and check them out.

Good luck and always be safe! :smile:

[Shannon_C]

Hi there.
Do your dogs listen to you when you tell them to do something ? Ideally it would be ideal and safer to put them on the lead sitting by you, let the cat wonder around. If the cat see's that the dogs are calm and dont want to hurt her, she will start to trust them and will be willing to investigate, but your dogs must be sitting still or lying bye you, and at no time should they be allowed to jump up if the cat does decide to come closer, this would scare her off. Just be patient and relaxed, (the key is if your relaxed, your dogs will be).
Give the cat time to adjust to a house with dogs.

Shannon