We just adopted a four yr. old female Snowshoe Siamese. She is very friendly, laid back, and affectionate. She was around one small dog before coming to our home. We have three small dogs, all under 5 lbs. each. Our smallest Yorkie, Ellie, age 9, only weighs 2 1/2 lbs. and she ignores the cat. Our Biewer Terrier, Zoie, age 3, weighs 4 1/2 lbs. and she also ignores the cat. But our 3 yr. old Yorkie, Abbie, who weighs 5 lbs. wants to chase her and bark at her. Abbie is our dominate dog here. She is the most friendly, most fun, most playful, and greets everyone. (She is my fav of the three dogs.) She is everyone's favorite who enters our door!
Right now I have the cat in a small area with a baby gate keeping her away from the dogs. She has her litter box, food, water, bed, and cat condo in her area. She can get out any time that she wants to, as she can jump or climb over, which she has done. In the night she did so and was roaming around the house when I got up to get some water. We put Abbie and Zoie in our bedroom and we shut the door last night, to keep Abbie from getting out to pester the cat. Ellie sleeps in the great room in her bed with a heat pad, as she is so small and that is where she wants to sleep.
Does anyone have any idea how long it will take Abbie to get used to having the cat in the house and how long until she will stop trying to chase her and bark at her?
Also, the cat has the name of Priss, which we hate! She is 4 years old. Is is too late to change it? We can't think of any name that sounds similar that we like. We have changed pet's names before, but usually to something similar sounding. We changed Zoie's name at 18 months and she got used to her new name quickly, but she is a dog.
Any advice anyone can give us would be appreciated. Also, anyone out there who owns a Snowshoe Siamese and has any advice would be appreciated. We have owned part Siamese cats before, but never a pure bred Snowshoe before. Thank you!
Right now I have the cat in a small area with a baby gate keeping her away from the dogs. She has her litter box, food, water, bed, and cat condo in her area. She can get out any time that she wants to, as she can jump or climb over, which she has done. In the night she did so and was roaming around the house when I got up to get some water. We put Abbie and Zoie in our bedroom and we shut the door last night, to keep Abbie from getting out to pester the cat. Ellie sleeps in the great room in her bed with a heat pad, as she is so small and that is where she wants to sleep.
Does anyone have any idea how long it will take Abbie to get used to having the cat in the house and how long until she will stop trying to chase her and bark at her?
Also, the cat has the name of Priss, which we hate! She is 4 years old. Is is too late to change it? We can't think of any name that sounds similar that we like. We have changed pet's names before, but usually to something similar sounding. We changed Zoie's name at 18 months and she got used to her new name quickly, but she is a dog.
Any advice anyone can give us would be appreciated. Also, anyone out there who owns a Snowshoe Siamese and has any advice would be appreciated. We have owned part Siamese cats before, but never a pure bred Snowshoe before. Thank you!