Can dogs and cats get along? - The DIS Discussion Forums

hereyago · 11-02-2009, 08:28 PM

Ok, i have 2 German Shepards. The puppy was first raised with a adult cat, but the other German Shepard I don't think has even seen a cat. The dogs do get along great with other dogs.

DD11 now wants a kitten for Xmas instead of laptop. She is responsible with the dogs,so I don't worry about her not taking care of said kitty.

To those of you who got kittens after having adult or just puppy dogs, how did it go with the transition? Any advice TIA

RyeCrimsonMoon · 11-02-2009, 08:31 PM

It will take a while for the cats and dogs to get along, but eventually they will! My cat and dogs get along really well, my cat likes to clean my greyhound actually.

kim929 · 11-02-2009, 08:38 PM

I agree, it took a little getting used to, the kitten grew on our dog after a bit.

laurie31 · 11-02-2009, 08:48 PM

We have added both dogs and cats to our existing pets.

Just go slow introducing the newcomer, and give the existing ones lot of love, and they will all get along eventually. Our last addition was a pair of kittens born of a dumped stray. They FREAKED at our dogs initially, but now they will groom them - lol. (the cats groom the dogs, I mean)

The biggest problem we have is that if we don't watch, the dogs will sometimes eat the cat food. (cat food is not good for dogs!)

Make sure your Shepard sees you petting the cat; it will recognize it as your "property" and be less likely to be aggressive towards it initially.

Or they could start out like this

(pics found on 'net -these are not my own pets - but how cute!)

and hopefully end up like this: (once again, these are not my own pets - but mine do sleep like this)

susykt4 · 11-02-2009, 08:54 PM

I have a shepherd mix who hates other dogs but loves the cats. I often find him cuddled up with our oldest cat. If your dogs get along well with other dogs you will probably be fine with a kitten. Kittens are so much fun

OK! · 11-02-2009, 09:10 PM

Yep, they sure can.

That's my parents' yellow Lab and my cat, Cisco. Molly wasn't particularly thrilled at first about sharing her pet pillow, but she adjusted.

Pumbaa_ · 11-02-2009, 09:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OK!

Yep, they sure can.

That's my parents' yellow Lab and my cat, Cisco. Molly wasn't particularly thrilled at first about sharing her pet pillow, but she adjusted.

how did you get picutes of my pets!

lol, i swear that looks just like my George and Sam. The cat Sam thinks George is his mommy

OK! · 11-02-2009, 09:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pumbaa_

how did you get picutes of my pets!

lol, i swear that looks just like my George and Sam. The cat Sam thinks George is his mommy

Awww!

Pets are the greatest.

teacups · 11-02-2009, 09:28 PM

I think it depends on the cat and dog.
I have labs and cats. Two cats think they are dogs and sleep with them, eat with them, play etc. Third cat acts a little more wild and is afraid, so that is the one the dogs will chase on occasion. The dogs take to kittens pretty well in my experience. PLus, you train them (watch closely LOL!) that the kitty is a family member and to be treated nicely.

C.Ann · 11-02-2009, 10:27 PM

We never had any problems with "mix and match" - nor did my DD with her animals..

hopemax · 11-02-2009, 10:42 PM

We got our first cat when our dog was 7 years old. We introduced them slowly, put the cat under a upside down laundry basket and let them sniff at each other, but at some point we had to let them meet without barriers. Our dog was a very motherly dog, and so she decided that the cat was her puppy and proceeded to clean it regularly. The cat quickly learned to get around the room via the furniture because if the dog could get to her, she would have a wet head. Then she taught the dog to just leave her alone.

Over the rest of the dog's life, we had 3 more cats, and the same thing repeated, lots of wet heads. One of the three decided the dog was the best thing ever. She wouldn't wash her own head, she had the dog do it. If the dog was in a deep sleep, the cat would bump her head into the dogs mouth and wake her up. She could also stand under the dog while the dog was eating, they were the best of friends.

omghidanielle · 11-02-2009, 10:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OK!

Yep, they sure can.

That's my parents' yellow Lab and my cat, Cisco. Molly wasn't particularly thrilled at first about sharing her pet pillow, but she adjusted.

Holy cowcat that looks just like my cowcat, Lorraine! That's too funny!

Here she is, watching the History Channel Disney episode

kafitty · 11-02-2009, 10:56 PM

in one house, we have two cats & two dogs, and in the other, 3 dogs & 1 cat...in both cases, the cat came first, or the dogs had previous experience with kitties. My 5 year old Chow is not really a fan of other dogs and will chase after squirrels & other small furry creatures, but her and my year and a half old kitty will chase each other around the yard - it's hilarious!!

some pictures...

Larry & Maggie...Larry is very touchy with his paws, i don't know how else to describe it, but he likes to have them on things.

Larry cuddling with Maggie again...she's really not a fan of this. Nor is she really a fan of cuddling with anyone, period.

and now the tables turn...

not liking that so much now, are you bud?

one of my friends DID have her dog kill her new kitty some years back

so it doesn't hurt to be vigilant in the beginning, but once the cats are older and get more confident, they'll either be able to get away quickly or use them claws to put that silly dog in its place!!

LindaR · 11-03-2009, 09:13 AM

Since you have two shepherds you do need to consider their prey drive. Some have high and some don't. (This is not the same but....) We have a toy poodle (7 pound female) and when we adopted a 2 yr old German Shepherd (100 pounds....very large) we had to be very careful. When the poodle would get the "zoom-zooms" thru the house our shepherd would try to stop her with her paw....and that was not good. After they got used to each other, everything was great.

A kitten will swat with her paw and hopefully they will back down! You will also need a cat tree sort of thing.......someplace that only kitty can go to feel safe and escape those "nasty" dog critters!!!

Lisa loves Pooh · 11-03-2009, 09:31 AM

I would find a friend with a cat who would be willing to let you attempt to introduce your dog to it in a safe environment. Preferabley a cat that is already in a home with dogs so the cat won't panic.

You don't really know how well a dog will react until you try it.

Some dogs will do great with kittens, some dogs will want to eat them for dinner.

I remember Feralpeg posting about a rescue dog she had to return b/c the dog had not been tested on cats and she unfortunately discovered that the dog didn't care to be friends with her cats and it was to a level that he needed to be returned. She had a golden retriever, I believe.

Good luck, but really consider the possibility that the dogs won't like the cat. It isn't fun for a cat to have to stay locked up to keep it safe.

11-02-2009, 08:28 PM	#1
hereyago DIS Veteran Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 620	Can dogs and cats get along? Ok, i have 2 German Shepards. The puppy was first raised with a adult cat, but the other German Shepard I don't think has even seen a cat. The dogs do get along great with other dogs. DD11 now wants a kitten for Xmas instead of laptop. She is responsible with the dogs,so I don't worry about her not taking care of said kitty. To those of you who got kittens after having adult or just puppy dogs, how did it go with the transition? Any advice TIA Last edited by hereyago; 11-02-2009 at 08:57 PM.

11-02-2009, 08:31 PM	#2
RyeCrimsonMoon Mouseketeer Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Columbus, GA Posts: 288	It will take a while for the cats and dogs to get along, but eventually they will! My cat and dogs get along really well, my cat likes to clean my greyhound actually. __________________

11-02-2009, 08:38 PM	#3
kim929 Mouseketeer Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 488	I agree, it took a little getting used to, the kitten grew on our dog after a bit. __________________

11-02-2009, 08:48 PM	#4
laurie31 Once had a roommate in college who had 17 boyfriends! Unplugs the internet with her toes I refuse to eat in a restaurant that also sells bait or jail bonds Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Leeds, Alabama Posts: 4,085	We have added both dogs and cats to our existing pets. Just go slow introducing the newcomer, and give the existing ones lot of love, and they will all get along eventually. Our last addition was a pair of kittens born of a dumped stray. They FREAKED at our dogs initially, but now they will groom them - lol. (the cats groom the dogs, I mean) The biggest problem we have is that if we don't watch, the dogs will sometimes eat the cat food. (cat food is not good for dogs!) Make sure your Shepard sees you petting the cat; it will recognize it as your "property" and be less likely to be aggressive towards it initially. Or they could start out like this (pics found on 'net -these are not my own pets - but how cute!) and hopefully end up like this: (once again, these are not my own pets - but mine do sleep like this) __________________

11-02-2009, 09:10 PM	#6
OK! Dreams in Moral of the story: generic rum = bad that was my holy grail of the whole sale! Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: St. Louis, MO / Windermere, FL Posts: 6,578	Yep, they sure can. That's my parents' yellow Lab and my cat, Cisco. Molly wasn't particularly thrilled at first about sharing her pet pillow, but she adjusted. __________________ Disneyland: 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1978, Oct. 1990, Jan. 1996 WDW: 1979, 1982, 1985, Nov. 1987, Aug. 1991 (Doubletree), May 1995 (Doubletree), Oct. 1997 (Dixie Landings), Nov. 2001 (Port Orleans Riverside), Dec. 2002 (Dolphin), Dec. 2004 (Port Orleans Riverside), Jan. 2006 (Beach Club Villas), Aug. 2006 (VWL/BCV), Dec. 2006 (BCV/BWV), Jan. 2008 (BCV): ½ Marathon trip!, May 2008 (BCV): graduation trip!, Dec. 2008 (BCV), Jan. 2009 (BCV): ½ Marathon trip!, May 2009: quickie weekend, Jan. 2010 (BWV): ½ Marathon trip! Facebook

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11-02-2009, 08:54 PM	#5
susykt4 DIS Veteran Join Date: May 2005 Location: Peoria, Illinois Posts: 891	I have a shepherd mix who hates other dogs but loves the cats. I often find him cuddled up with our oldest cat. If your dogs get along well with other dogs you will probably be fine with a kitten. Kittens are so much fun

11-02-2009, 09:28 PM	#9
teacups DIS Veteran Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: I love Portland, Oregon! Posts: 3,975	I think it depends on the cat and dog. I have labs and cats. Two cats think they are dogs and sleep with them, eat with them, play etc. Third cat acts a little more wild and is afraid, so that is the one the dogs will chase on occasion. The dogs take to kittens pretty well in my experience. PLus, you train them (watch closely LOL!) that the kitty is a family member and to be treated nicely.

11-02-2009, 10:27 PM	#10
C.Ann We'll remember when... No time for green bananas When the going gets tough, she gets the Palmolive!! If I knew we were going to be graded here, I might try harder Join Date: May 2001 Posts: 28,920	*We never had any problems with "mix and match" - nor did my DD with her animals..* __________________ C.Ann ----------------- *"Scars remind us where we've been.. They don't have to dictate where we're going.."* "Life ain't always beautiful.....but it's a beautiful ride." "We won't be sad, we'll be glad for all the life we've had and we'll remember when...."

11-02-2009, 10:42 PM	#11
hopemax Note to Self: Please remember to bring your brain with you this time Join Date: Apr 2000 Posts: 4,276	We got our first cat when our dog was 7 years old. We introduced them slowly, put the cat under a upside down laundry basket and let them sniff at each other, but at some point we had to let them meet without barriers. Our dog was a very motherly dog, and so she decided that the cat was her puppy and proceeded to clean it regularly. The cat quickly learned to get around the room via the furniture because if the dog could get to her, she would have a wet head. Then she taught the dog to just leave her alone. Over the rest of the dog's life, we had 3 more cats, and the same thing repeated, lots of wet heads. One of the three decided the dog was the best thing ever. She wouldn't wash her own head, she had the dog do it. If the dog was in a deep sleep, the cat would bump her head into the dogs mouth and wake her up. She could also stand under the dog while the dog was eating, they were the best of friends. __________________ Hope

11-02-2009, 10:56 PM	#13
kafitty yep, that almost sent snot flying out of my nose Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: South Shore, MA Posts: 858	in one house, we have two cats & two dogs, and in the other, 3 dogs & 1 cat...in both cases, the cat came first, or the dogs had previous experience with kitties. My 5 year old Chow is not really a fan of other dogs and will chase after squirrels & other small furry creatures, but her and my year and a half old kitty will chase each other around the yard - it's hilarious!! some pictures... Larry & Maggie...Larry is very touchy with his paws, i don't know how else to describe it, but he likes to have them on things. Larry cuddling with Maggie again...she's really not a fan of this. Nor is she really a fan of cuddling with anyone, period. and now the tables turn... not liking that so much now, are you bud? one of my friends DID have her dog kill her new kitty some years back so it doesn't hurt to be vigilant in the beginning, but once the cats are older and get more confident, they'll either be able to get away quickly or use them claws to put that silly dog in its place!! __________________ Kait S. [ fbk ] [ tumblr ] [new blog! fatCheerleader ] "I believe in naps." The right to free speech does not imply the right to be taken seriously. That depends on what is said. - Hubert Humphrey

11-03-2009, 09:13 AM	#14
LindaR DIS Veteran Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: New Mexico Posts: 2,553	Since you have two shepherds you do need to consider their prey drive. Some have high and some don't. (This is not the same but....) We have a toy poodle (7 pound female) and when we adopted a 2 yr old German Shepherd (100 pounds....very large) we had to be very careful. When the poodle would get the "zoom-zooms" thru the house our shepherd would try to stop her with her paw....and that was not good. After they got used to each other, everything was great. A kitten will swat with her paw and hopefully they will back down! You will also need a cat tree sort of thing.......someplace that only kitty can go to feel safe and escape those "nasty" dog critters!!!

11-03-2009, 09:31 AM	#15
Lisa loves Pooh DIS Veteran Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Florida--on the coast SE of Disney Posts: 25,873	I would find a friend with a cat who would be willing to let you attempt to introduce your dog to it in a safe environment. Preferabley a cat that is already in a home with dogs so the cat won't panic. You don't really know how well a dog will react until you try it. Some dogs will do great with kittens, some dogs will want to eat them for dinner. I remember Feralpeg posting about a rescue dog she had to return b/c the dog had not been tested on cats and she unfortunately discovered that the dog didn't care to be friends with her cats and it was to a level that he needed to be returned. She had a golden retriever, I believe. Good luck, but really consider the possibility that the dogs won't like the cat. It isn't fun for a cat to have to stay locked up to keep it safe. __________________

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