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We have a 6 year old cat and a 6 month old German Shepherd puppy. They do not get along. The cat is afraid and the dog is curious. The cat has found a hiding spot on top of a cabinet and only comes down when he is sure the dog is not around. How do we get them to get along or at least tolerate each other?
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Hello, I have a kitty named Fozzie that is about 4 years old. I got him from the pound; he was declawed and neutered when I got him. Anyways, about 6 months ago I moved into my brothers house and he has two indoor cats who are brother and sister. The two other cats don't seem to mind Fozzie being around anymore, however Fozzie has never been able to adjust to the other two cats. He is constantly jumping and hissing at them. As things have progressed, he quit using his litterbox sometimes, and he now seems a bit depressed and doesen't like to be petted quite as much as he used to. Is there anything that can be done or prescribed to help him adjust to the other two cats? Thanks, Tim
1
We have a 6 year old cat and a 6 month old German Shepherd puppy. They do not get along. The cat is afraid and the dog is curious. The cat has found a hiding spot on top of a cabinet and only comes down when he is sure the dog is not around. How do we get them to get along or at least tolerate each other?
It is not unreasonable for your cat to be afraid of the new puppy. To help him adjust you need to control how the puppy interacts with the cat. When the cat is around, the puppy should be either on a leash or in a pen so that he is unable to chase and bother the cat. If the puppy begins to lunge at the cat use a command such as "leave it" to stop him and reward him with a food treat and a good dog for settling down. Gradually he should learn that he must not chase the cat and as the cat becomes more confident that the dog will not bother him he will come out more often. It also might help to use food rewards for the cat as well so that he associates good things with the presence of the puppy.
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2
Hello, I have a kitty named Fozzie that is about 4 years old. I got him from the pound; he was declawed and neutered when I got him. Anyways, about 6 months ago I moved into my brothers house and he has two indoor cats who are brother and sister. The two other cats don't seem to mind Fozzie being around anymore, however Fozzie has never been able to adjust to the other two cats. He is constantly jumping and hissing at them. As things have progressed, he quit using his litterbox sometimes, and he now seems a bit depressed and doesen't like to be petted quite as much as he used to. Is there anything that can be done or prescribed to help him adjust to the other two cats? Thanks, Tim
Some cats are more social than others and those that are less social may have a difficult time adjusting to living with other cats. One strategy for cats like these is to offer them their own space with food and water bowls and a litter box. This allows them to have the things they need without encountering the other cats. Often this will make them feel more secure and relaxed. If time does not help, you may want to consult with your veterinarian for other treatment options such as medication.
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