Should I get a new kitten?

[Dempseysmama]

I have a dilemma. Demps (my boxer) is 6 months old now and still gives me problems with Kitty. I have really come a long way, but it is VERY slow progress. She is an extremely easily frightened cat, so thats partly as frustrating. As I said though, I do see progress. Now I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to get a kitten sometime soon. But I am held back because I am worried how Dempsey would be with a tiny kitten. Anyone have any kind of advice? Not really sure what I'm looking for, but anyhting will be appreciated.

Should I get a kitten and hope that this works itself out or wait until I get him settled with Kitty...? We've pretty much broken him prey habits with my mom's old cat, but he doesn't hide and run away like Kitty. Hmm, I don't know. Thanks for any advice in advance!

 

[Checkers]

Perhaps if you get a kitten, this one will play/fight back with Dempsey. When the kitten gets old enough it might teach Demps a lesson or two Maybe it will take the focus off Kitty?

 

[Cinders510]

A little advise.. We have a 6 month old who loves our 3 cats, very protective of them but our rescue would chase,box/stomp when we got him. He's 2 yrs old. I have worked with him the since we got him ( 2 months ago) although he still chases on ocassion but instead of stomp he just holds them down with one foot & licks them to death.My male cat has taught him lessons on chasing his girls that i couldn't.Funny the cat can put the dog on his butt! . Zip ( cat) will lunge and chase the dog, no claws out. The point is taken & no harm done.

Try leashing with 2 people a few times a day if you can. Do the sit/stay command. Ease the cat by holding it ( if it will let you) to the dog untill you see a reaction with the dog. When you do say " NO! Leave it! Start at a several feet away and work your way closer. It takes time but it does get better.If the cat won't let you hold it try tying the dog in a room that you can make the cat play so that the dog can't get near it but supervise so you can give the No leave it ! command. Bait the dog anytime you can and as much as possible. When good with no reaction give alot of praise.I have our's to the point that i can snap my fingers or do the hand gesture of sit & he stops on a dime and sits if he's even thinking about chasing. This advise was given to me by a dog behavorist.He told me cat chasing is a psychological problem (sp).It's working so far for us. I used this before to train a collie that killed cats on a regular basis, by the time he went back home he was sleeping with my cat & giving her lovings. He actually became protective of her. Persistance and patience works.Gl

 

[Taren]

if you ease the cat to the dog would it traumatize the cat for life?? just wondering we have a cat too shes not scared of maverick but just likes to be left alone. i was just wondering if this would traumatize the cat if it were afraid of the dog?? i will have to try this method with maverick and striper thanks

 

[pennylady]

One cat likes - The other hates our Boxer

We have a 4 year old male boxer, Baxter. We had an 8 year old cat Tyler (now 12) when we got Baxter. The two have ALWAYS hated each other. The cat hisses and Baxter trounces him. Baxter has shown aggression in the past so I’m very careful when he’s around Tyler. Our other cat Tabasco is a different story. He’s 2. We got him after we already had Baxter when he was a tiny kitten. Baxter and Tabasco are best buddies. They sleep together, bathe each other and BOTH follow me around the house. Tabasco wallers all over the dog and Baxter is the first to protect ‘his’ kitty.

 

[Nikki C]

Our 5 1/2 year old boxer Zen and one of our cats, DJ, are only months a part in age and they grew up together. They aren't best mates but they acknowledge each other as family members and Zen reluctantly shares his large doggie bed with DJ sometimes (it's very comfy). But with my other cat Narni, who we bought from an animal shelter as an adult cat last year, is more of a chasing target for Zen. When we take Zen for walks he will be on the look out for cats to chase. He recognises DJ as a close family member, Narni has a semi family member(will chase but not attack) and other cats as dinner! I think that the introduction of a young boxer to a tiny kitten should be well planned and done with ease and caution.

 

[Tatertot]

Harley has grown up with cats. When we moved out of my moms house and into our own house, the first thing we did was get a kitten. Harley did just fine with her and she is now big enough to hold her own. She fights back (they dont fight, they play but you know what i mean) and when she has had enough, she has plenty of places to get away, such as behind the couch, up on the desk, under the bed, etc.

Spud....I am pretty sure this is his first cat. He looks at her like she is an alien and if she gets too close, he barks at her. But even he sometimes plays with her (it usually doesnt last long, because he doesnt realize yet how strong he is)

Anyway they all adjusted to each other. When I first introduced Stormie and Harley she ran away, attacked me in the process, wanted nothing to do with him. And all he did was sniff her. It took her about a week, but now she sleeps with him and everything

 

[sanford7]

Grace love our kitties!! But sometimes its too much love. With Willie..she would chase and chase.. we finally broke the habit indoors but it took awhile longer outside. Nada, she never even looked at..but Nada would smack at her if she got close. With Muzby..she took a definate interest and we had to crate her while we were gone for several weeks until I took a comfort level with them being together. Now she will "wrestle" on kitty level with them and sometimes they are kicking her butt! Outside she will give a chase but any of them just have to turn around stop and give her "the look" and it stops instantly. We have a complete harmony at home and its great!!! I'd say if you are ready, go ahead and get it, just take your time and be prepared for Kitty to sulk a little more.. but who knows this may be what she needs too!!

 

[Louise501]

sanford7

"Grace love our kitties!! But sometimes its too much love. With Willie..she would chase and chase.. we finally broke the habit indoors but it took awhile longer"

Could you give me some tips to stop Ruby chasing our cats? She really wasn't too bad at 1st and would 'Leave' but now she just goes after them, she only wants to play but once shes off she just won't listen!

 

[abbey_eisma]

I wouldnt dare bring a cat into our house. First off, me and my hubby just arent cat people. Second, Duchess would hunt it. If she sees a cat out a window she tries to get out and attack. Her hair goes all up on her back and she goes nuts. If you were able to get them to get along I think it would be cute to see, but in our house it wouldnt work.