My poor cats

jayliz433 · #1 17th February 2005, 01:52 PM

I am at a loss. My poor little cats, Linus and Schroeder, are constantly chased by Wendel. We have a baby gate up, so that Wendel can't go to the basement without us, but I hate that the cats are confined (at least when he's out of his crate) to the basement.

I had seen a British program, which gave an abbreviated concept of how to integrate dog and cat, but was wondering if anyone had any ideas? My cats were somewhat shy to begin with.

I want to be able to submit pics where L&S are cuddling with W when they are all asleep.

sthren65 · #2 24th February 2005, 12:35 PM

I have the same problem with Lexie and my 2 declawed cats. She chases them until they are out of her reach, when/if she catches them, she licks them until they start hissing.
The vet says that the cats must not be threatened by Lexie because they stick around when she's out & about, but I just want them to be "friends" and co-exist.
I would much appreciate any help!

Cami · #3 24th February 2005, 01:07 PM

I would suggest investing in some sort of tree house for the cats and place it in the family room, or whatever room that the family is spending most of its time. The cats need to have a "safety" place that still allows them to be included in the family. The more time that they all spend together the more they will come to ignore each other, or grow to enjoy each others company and perhaps start playing.
My dog and cat play together every day. The cat has a 3 tiered tree house that allows for her to get out of reach of the dog but still see all the action.

CathyR · #4 25th February 2005, 11:21 PM

We have 3 cats who are all somewhat ornery. The oldest is a 13 year old Manx who is pretty set in his ways. 3 weeks ago we brought home Charlie (5 months). The cats were wacky at first. We had a baby gate up to block the upstairs, and usually shut the downstairs door so Charlie only has access to the main floor. The cats holed up upstairs, bravely venturing downstairs to eat & potty.

Anyway, slowly they are coming around although they still detest the dog. He just wants to play but they are pretty intimidated. I imagine having something 6 times my size bouncing all over trying to chase me etc. ACK!!!

Our breeder has placed boxers into homes with cats before, and she said it will take a long time. Basically the cats are maintaining their dominance, and teaching the dog that they are not "toys". Growling, hissing, and the occasional paw smack

from the kitties have taught him to leave them alone. Now he just looks at them and wags his tail at 900 MPH lol.

I guess my point is let the animals figure each other out. Eventually they will. And yes, having a high place for your cats to escape is a must. They need to feel they have a safe place.

Also, we have found it is important to our cats to have one on one time with my husband and I. We try to each spend a minimum of 5-10 minutes per day with each kitty. I want everyone, humans and animals alike to feel special and welcome in my family.

Good luck!!
Cathy

Instg8rr · #5 26th February 2005, 08:57 PM

I have 3 cats... an 8 year old male (Mr. Hobbes)and two 3 year old females (Luna and Eclipse). Dozer is just 7 months old and ALL boxer. Each has dealt with Dozer in a different way.

Mr. Hobbes pays no attention, (never runs or hides) and gets stepped on, nipped at, and jackhammered at for his trouble. He has been caught once or twice playing tag in the yard with Dozer. Each chasing the other in turn.

Eclipse likes to be chased and she leads Dozer on a merry chase through, over, and around our furniture. She teases him relentlessly and he gives chase whenever and wherever he can. When she's tired she goes to the blocked off side of the house, under the bed, or up the 7' cat post I built for them. She can also get 3/4 of the way across the house on furniture that Dozer is not allowed on. He does catch her occasionally, and she takes her licks with all the destestment she can muster.

Luna is our crippled kitty. She broke both of her back legs at the knee (at different times and we don't know how) a couple of years ago, and has a little trouble getting around. She doesn't like the idea of a dog around too much so we have three bedrooms blocked off for her. They get along fine, for a cat and a dog, but when she's had enough she will hobble out of her bed backing him up all the way. She doesn't take any tomfoolery from him either. She has no problem walking (quite deliberately in fact) across the room to smack him on the nose when he's out of line. But they really do like each other. She will usually let him get a slobbery lick across the face without trying to rip his nose off.

I think the previous posters have it right. The cats need somewhere to go that the dog can't, and they will deal with him/her in their own style and time frame. Personally I think claws help get the message across.