Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello, I'm starting to get worried about my cats and dog, and I wonder if they will start to get along...
Myrtle's never liked dogs, but when we got Ernie, she would tolerate him, but swat if he came to close. Then she had her kittens and will seek him out to get him if she finds him loose in the house. Even if he's downstairs far away and kittens are safe behind closed door...
Ernie liked Myrtle at first, and would only want to play with her. Two days ago I had Ernie outside in my lap. A neighborhood Tom came by and seemingly curious, walked straight up to Ernie. Ernie was completely submissive and let the cat smell him. Then the cat smacked him on the nose and yesterday when Tom came by, Ernie started barking and showing teeth. But obeyed me and I was able to control him.
So now my cat HATES my dog and my dog HATES cats! We're keeping one of the kits, and the kitten hissed at the scent of the dog!
I don't want the dog to live in his crate, nor do I want Myrtle and her kitten to live in the bedroom. But I fear for the cats safety, as well as the dogs.
Any one have some advise? I know Myrtle will calm down when kittens are weaned and she's fixed (at least I hope) but will Ernie forgive her? How should I handle this?

DestanyF

At this point, keeping Ernie away from all cats would be best. If possible give him the run of the house for several hours a day while you keep Myrtle and the kittens in another room. Then while Ernie is crated in another room, let Myrtle get a good sniff around where Ernie has been. This will help her realize that the dog belongs but is not a threat to the kittens.

I would recommend you consult the folks at the dog forum for more help in getting Ernie to accept cats once again.
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Smile, it will make them wonder what you are up to!

Is Ernie aggressive with Myrtle? Or does he tolerate her bad behavior? He may tolerate it from her because she is his cat. He doesn't tolerate the toms because the tom isn't a part of the family. He may still like cats just not certain ones. Mya will chase any cat that is in our yard that doesn't belong. But if it's our own cats she won't touch them at all. I don't think she would hurt the other cats, she is just telling them this is our yard stay out.
But as MA said try posting over on the dogs behavior site. There is one person that really knows what she is talking about over there. I believe she is a dog trainer.
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Jaime owned by
Mya the dog
and the cats:Crash, Moxie, Gabby and sometimes Tucker

That is so helpful! Before I read MadameAlto's reply, I took one of the babes (which Myrtle will let us do without complaint) out of the bedroom and held it up outside of the kennel (with Myrtle locked in bedroom). Ernie took a submissive pose and layed down. Then with my permission, he came up and began kissing the baby! The babe did hiss, so I took her back to Mommy right away. Then, I let Ernie out, and went and got Myrtle (making sure the whole time that kittens were locked up safe and sound) and holding her by the scruff of her neck which relaxes her for some reason, I brought her out. The animals sat two feet from eachother, Ernie laying down (bowing to the queen of the house), and me holding Myrtle stroking her, I was able to eventualy release her and just pet her lightly and she began to purr!
So I think it's like you said, Ernie is just doesn't like outsiders. And like MadameAlto said, Myrtle needs to learn that Ernie's not a threat. And I don't think he would have hurt the cat or he I wouldn't have been able to stop him! I also think that comfort zone plugins will go a long way too. But I will keep cats seperate from dogs until the kits are weaned and Myrtle's fixed, allowing minimal supervised visits from time to time... and just play by ear.
But if anyone thinks this is a bad idea, please let me know!!!

Destany

Since it sounds like everything went well with the kitten and the dog intro. I think I would bring the kittens down once a day(well one at a time) and let them start to bond with the dog. The more they are around the dog the better they will be with him. Starting young is the best thing to do. Just make sure Myrtle is locked in the room with other babies.
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Jaime owned by
Mya the dog
and the cats:Crash, Moxie, Gabby and sometimes Tucker