- Joined
- Nov 18, 2020
- Messages
- 4
- Purraise
- 7
hello- first time poster here.
I'm wondering if we made a mistake in adopting a kitten while having a high prey drive dog (ie- she chases squirrels and bunnies with passion) in the house? I didn't realize that such a thing could be an issue until I started digging for ways to introduce dogs to new cats (stupidly AFTER we brought the kitten home).
I didn't even think it could be an issue because We had an older cat (whom we recently had to say goodbye to due to kidney failure) and the dog left her alone for the most part---occasionally chasing her down the stairs of the bedrooms. The dog was adopted in when the cat was about 10 years old.
I suffer from some heavy duty anxiety and a friend suggested I come up with a plan to help which is why I am here-asking those with a lot of cat experience
Current situation: The kitten had an URI when we adopted her (from SPCA) so they sent us home with abx and eye drops. Because of this we have had her quarantined in our (large) bathroom and will be keeping her in there for at least another week. The dog has only had peeks at her from a distance when the bathroom door opens. I have noticed though, the dog becoming very rigid and focused on the door when the kitten makes noise (eating or scratching in litter box) and she has come tearing down the stairs barking when she hears the meows. Also rigid and laser focused when she peeks at her from 10 feet away.
Once the kitty is better I planned on introducing them through scent first and then the gate. Then feeding on either side of gate. I am so so so nervous though- like keeping me up all night nervous---I would hate for the kitty to get hurt and the past few days make me feel like the dog can be unpredictable. I am reading these horror stories of "dogs that seems fine with cat" attacking and killing it. sigh. How much time do I give it? Do I just trust my instincts that it isn't going to work and plan to rehome her soon? (I would of course talk with the place we adopted her about this) Could this possibly work out? The dog is only 11 pounds but honestly- is not well trained- and FAST. She also has anxiety and hides under the bed all day and comes out for walks and food and to play at night. We have a tiny house and don't really have a good "permanent" safe space for the cat if we needed to keep them separated permanently. We also have 2 kids (12 and 14) who are in LOVE with the kitten. What do I do? One last thing: I am pretty sure I have some PTSD from witnessing our dog and a dog we were sitting for get into a nasty fight. I got in the middle of it because it looked like the other dog was going to kill our dog and was bitten. Our doggie has been a bit jumpy around other dogs since then as well.
Ugh- why do I have to suck at thinking things through?
I'm wondering if we made a mistake in adopting a kitten while having a high prey drive dog (ie- she chases squirrels and bunnies with passion) in the house? I didn't realize that such a thing could be an issue until I started digging for ways to introduce dogs to new cats (stupidly AFTER we brought the kitten home).
I didn't even think it could be an issue because We had an older cat (whom we recently had to say goodbye to due to kidney failure) and the dog left her alone for the most part---occasionally chasing her down the stairs of the bedrooms. The dog was adopted in when the cat was about 10 years old.
I suffer from some heavy duty anxiety and a friend suggested I come up with a plan to help which is why I am here-asking those with a lot of cat experience
Current situation: The kitten had an URI when we adopted her (from SPCA) so they sent us home with abx and eye drops. Because of this we have had her quarantined in our (large) bathroom and will be keeping her in there for at least another week. The dog has only had peeks at her from a distance when the bathroom door opens. I have noticed though, the dog becoming very rigid and focused on the door when the kitten makes noise (eating or scratching in litter box) and she has come tearing down the stairs barking when she hears the meows. Also rigid and laser focused when she peeks at her from 10 feet away.
Once the kitty is better I planned on introducing them through scent first and then the gate. Then feeding on either side of gate. I am so so so nervous though- like keeping me up all night nervous---I would hate for the kitty to get hurt and the past few days make me feel like the dog can be unpredictable. I am reading these horror stories of "dogs that seems fine with cat" attacking and killing it. sigh. How much time do I give it? Do I just trust my instincts that it isn't going to work and plan to rehome her soon? (I would of course talk with the place we adopted her about this) Could this possibly work out? The dog is only 11 pounds but honestly- is not well trained- and FAST. She also has anxiety and hides under the bed all day and comes out for walks and food and to play at night. We have a tiny house and don't really have a good "permanent" safe space for the cat if we needed to keep them separated permanently. We also have 2 kids (12 and 14) who are in LOVE with the kitten. What do I do? One last thing: I am pretty sure I have some PTSD from witnessing our dog and a dog we were sitting for get into a nasty fight. I got in the middle of it because it looked like the other dog was going to kill our dog and was bitten. Our doggie has been a bit jumpy around other dogs since then as well.
Ugh- why do I have to suck at thinking things through?