advice needed for dogs & cat living in harmony

[Krissalee]

I have a cat, Molly, who is 8 years old. I also have 2 pugs, Sammy (2 years old) and Toby (8 months old). The dogs get along wonderfully. The cat always kept her distance, and the dogs usually ignored her. Molly isn't the nicest cat - actually, I call her the meanest cat in the world. She doesn't like people, except on the very rare occasion when she looks for affection.

About 2 weeks ago, Molly hissed and snarled at me, in front of the dogs. As soon as the dogs saw that their mama was the subject of Molly's rage, they took of after her, in protection of me.

Since that time, the poor cat cannot live in peace. She is an indoor/outdoor cat, and very low key. Whenever the dogs encounter her in our house, they run, barking up a violent storm, cornering her. If they see her in the yard, they do the same. I feel really bad for the cat. Even though she is not very friendly, I want her to have a peaceful exisitance.

I have tried being affectionate with the cat in front of the dogs, to no avail. I have to drag them away from her when they corner her.

Up until the past to weeks, I, DH, the 2 dogs, and the cat have been living in harmony. Any advice on how to return our household to its previous calm?

 

[Kallison]

Sorry no advice, I just think your pugs are so cute to want to protect you -- good dogs!

 

[Krissalee]

They are good dogs - they are my sweethearts! At first, I thought their reaction was so sweet to protect me, now I think they have gone overboard.

 

[Talking Hands]

Dogs out, cat in. Cat out, dogs in.
Good luck.

 

[Liz]

I know the dogs thought they were doing a good thing by trying to protect you, but I think you might have to scold them when they act inappropriately towards the cat so they will learn that isn't acceptable.

We have a cat named Molly too (and 2 dogs)!

 

[helenabear]

I was thinking along the same lines as Liz. I know when my cats act inappropriately towards each other they do get scolded. Otherwise good luck!

 

[cassie]

I have a Mean Molly too, and she lords it over the dogs. When my dog was a playful 8 months old pup, Molly went after her hissing and scratching. Poor dog is now 8 years old, and has the greatest respect for the cat. My DD's dog, a boxer, comes over and he won't go near Molly. He knows too to stay away.

 

[Krissalee]

Thanks for the repleys. I have been scolding the pugs (quite loudly), with no success so far. I scold and scold, yet I still have to physically drag the dogs away!

Poor Mean Molly!

 

[Krissalee]

BTW - there are a lot of Molly-cats out there, huh?