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Poindextra: 7 months ago

How can I safely introduce my cat to the dog we adopt?

My husband and I are planning on adopting a dog after we move to our house, to a) keep us company when we have to be alone in the house and b) help keep the house safe since it's not the best neighbourhood. We're hoping for a larger dog, because they resonate better with us than smaller dogs do for the most part. We have a cat and hamsters (the hamsters will be in a closed room on high shelves, so no worries there really) and we're waiting for the cat to get adjusted to the house before we bring a dog home. But when we do, does anyone have any tips on how to keep them both from getting stressed out too much? The cat's 6 years old, but super calm and patient, doesn't bite or scratch anyone.

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Answer 1

Lowheadroom: 7 months ago

I adopted 3 different dogs during my cats 17 years. One dog was about 120 pounds when we got him and the last dog was about 4 pounds when adopted. Each dog came into the house and the cat immediately let them know who was the boss, a little bit of barking, hissing and chasing but the cat ruled. It took about 2-3 days for the dogs to learn their pecking order in the house, then all was fine.

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Answer 2

abaddon: 7 months ago via iPhone

Slowly show them to one another
N take them away- n repeat until
They are comfy -
But keep them seperate - both could be seriously injured or killed

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Poindextra: 7 months ago

The biggest goal is to keep them both safe, yes :) Is pondering a crate worthwhile for the dog for when we're not home?

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abaddon: 7 months ago via iPhone

A crate is never ever the answer
Put yourself in that crate for 9 hrs a day- and tell me how it feels
Do u have a basement
Or a bedroom to put one of them in?
If so - do that instead- never crate an animal - dont do to your pet
What u wouldn't do to yourself

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Poindextra: 7 months ago

Good call. We don't have a basement, but I can probably sequester the cat in a certain room with her stuff. I tend to avoid being absent from home for longer than 5 hrs a day anyway, but I totally see what you mean.

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abaddon: 7 months ago via iPhone

In the future- if u wouldn't do something to yourself or child
Then u should not do it to your pet
Pet totally rely on us for everything
As do kids-

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Poindextra: 7 months ago

I agree :) That's why I asked, I'm still a bit fuzzy on the pet ownership thing, as I've only had the hamsters when living on my own until March when we got the cat. So now I'm having to make my own rules with having furry friends, you know?

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abaddon: 7 months ago via iPhone

Yes - I understand -
Just ask yourself " would I do this to myself or child - and u will be a great
Pet owner-

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Poindextra: 7 months ago

Thank you :)

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abaddon: 7 months ago via iPhone

Ps- can u reinstate my former user
Profile- pepsi69- ?

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Poindextra: 7 months ago

That I cannot do. Have you tried asking Customer Service about it? http://asksupport.custhelp.com/app/ask

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abaddon: 7 months ago via iPhone

No- Eric banned my last profile
Because I cussed at him in an email
But- in my Defence - he was very rood
An I think annoyed that I was sending
Lots of emails to him asking questions
But it's ok - he deserved it- and I deserved to be banned as well
But thank u anyhow
Good luck with your pets-
And introduce them to each oath slowly- a few times a day- for a short time- and soon they will adapt to each other-

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Answer 3

LaurenJacqueline: 7 months ago

At first they won't get along but I would first put the dog in a cage to let the cat smell it first

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Answer 4

LolGirl09: 7 months ago

stroke your cats head and stay with her. do the same thing with the dog. then keep them apart for about an hour until the dog decides to come. then put their food bowls together and fill them with fresh food. theyll come running.

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