Help with introducing our cat

[drsgfan]

We just got a 2 year old female boxer. She is adjusting well with our 2 year old male boxer and does great with our kids. We don't know how she is with cats or if she has ever been around one. We tried to let her see our cat once and she tried to taste hes tail! Any advice on what to do?

 

[indylizzy]

I have the same question as you do. I have a 10 week old female boxer pup (Lizzy) and I am trying to find a way to get her accustomed to my cats (I have 3). I am trying one cat at a time.

She gets real excited when she sees my cat. I do not mind if she gets into her play stance (butt up in the air and bending down in the front) or if she makes funny little sounds. My concern comes when the cat does not respond to her (well, being a cat) and Lizzy's temperment changes and she growls then tries to chase my cat (a big NO). I always have her by the collar, or with her leash on, when I have her in the same area as the cat - just so I have more control and try to coax her to sit with a treat (even distract her with toys).

My cats have claws, but have never used them on the puppy (which is of surprise and relief).

This has been ongoing for 2 weeks, and it has not progressed past what I describe above. I am hoping to find a way to establish some peace between the pup and the cats - especially before Lizzy gets bigger.

I know you are looking for advice, and not empathy, regarding this. But, I have looked many places, in reference to Boxers and cats, and have come up with pretty much nothing.

If I find out anything I will let you know. If you find out anything - would you mind letting me know? I would appreciate it - as I am at the end of my rope some days.

Thank You

 

[drsgfan]

I have not gotten any advice yet either. If I do I will pass it on to you. With yours being a puppy hopefully it will learn to get along with you cats. Sammy is 2 now and he will chase my cat once in a while but knows to leave him alone. Ruby is already 2 and we have only had her a week so she is my concern. Good luck and I will let you know if I hear of anything.

 

[BxrMommieNAZ]

On the puppy I'd just let them work it out. She's too small at that age (10 weeks) to hurt the cat. They'll work it out on their own. That's what we did with ours and no problems now.

Now on a bigger dog, I would recommend putting the cat in a carrier and letting the dog sniff the carrier. Then put the dog in a crate and let the cat sniff the dog. You can also put the dog on leash and put kitty in the room with you. Just be aware that even a dog that gets along with cats will typically chase if the cats run. My girl loves my cats, they sleep together, they love up against her, etc but if they dart she will chase them, doesn't hurt them and stops when they stop but she DOES chase them if they dart across the room. Puppy does too, but he doesn't hurt them, he's more curious than mean.

Good luck!

 

[drsgfan]

Sammy will still chase my cat but I have had him since he was a puppy and I know he won't hurt him. But I don't know what Ruby will do if she catches my cat, thats the problem. Thanks for your advice, we will continue to leave her on the leash when our cat is around. It is starting to get hot here in CA and I wanted to feel safe that she isn't going to eat my cat so I can let her in during the day.

 

[jsmueles]

If she does not act aggressive when she is close to the cat I would just let them check each other out. Fremont plays with our kitty and they play pretty rough but she brings most of it on. We just let them work it out unless it seems too rough and then tell him to cool it for a while but the cat is usually the one who get's him to chase her. If you introduce your boxer and watch them play just watch for signs of aggression and intervene if you feel like she is going to hurt her. But I think you might be surprised that they might just play with each other. We had a female boxer come to our house that had never been around cat’s and she did great but we just let her meet Bergie on her own.
Hope everything works out for you.

 

[bucca]

ive always had cats and when it comes to introducing them i just let them work it out, let me explain that, in my case ive never had aggressive dogs who wanted to hurt the cat , they just wanted a good smell and usually they were content, ive had chasing, and if it gets extreme ill usually voice a stern no over and over until the dog kinda gets the idea, at this point my cat stubby and spanky are finally getting together in the same room. spanky is a lover of all animals and thinks everything wants to play, stubby is used to my last two dogs who could take him or leave him,but spanky has a very high prey drive and loves to chase, but lately the cat is coming right back out he is realizing spanky isnt going to hurt him in fact it is the cat as of lately who is ambusing the dog!! we caught him about a dozen times but spanky being spanky things that a play thing and gets down on his front legs and butt wiggling up in the air and barks at the cat who just now sits and listens to it, they are eating to gether and sitting in the same room together, thats just what i do let them work it out without injury. good luck

 

[drsgfan]

I hope that will be the case that ruby just wants to stiff not eat. My cat wants nothing to do with the dogs. Thanks for the advice and will give it another go.