[Lethaltxn]

So me and the Mrs. are going to be getting a rescue within the next 6 months or so and we already have a cat. We've never had any other animals and the few times we've had people over with their's our cat's been standoffish and growls. The cat is currently living with my fiancee's parents who have a cat and the cat has been getting better.
Now the cat is more my fiancee's than mine. I'm a dog guy. I really want a dog.
So my question is, what is the best way to acclimate a cat to a new dog.
Should we get his scent on a blanket or towel so she can smell him?
Thanks.

[Lethaltxn]

Oh, I should add we are looking at daschund rescues. We've kinda gone from wanting a great Dane, to a Britney spaniel to now a daschund. Or I should say my fiancee has.

[Lethaltxn]

Nobody has any advice? I know there is information out there and I am reading it, I just wanted you guys experience on what you found worked and what didn't.

[ChuteTheMall]

Originally Posted by Lethaltxn

The cat is currently living with my fiancee's parents who have a cat and the cat has been getting better.

That's too bad.

Pets are territorial.

The sooner your cat gets to live in your future home, the less likely he will be to run away from it. Give him time to become furry little king of that castle.

If your cat feels at home, he will teach your future new dog who is the alpha critter.

[Lethaltxn]

Originally Posted by ChuteTheMall

That's too bad.

Pets are territorial.

The sooner your cat gets to live in your future home, the less likely he will be to run away from it. Give him time to become furry little king of that castle.

If your cat feels at home, he will teach your future new dog who is the alpha critter.

That's what I'm gathering. That the cat will probably be the alpha in my situation. Unfortunately, my fiancee and myself aren't even living together right now. She's finishing PA school and I'm finishing my degree. When I'm done I'll probably take the cat to our new place and giver her a few months to adjust before doing it. Thanks Chute!

[steveksux]

Cats may not get along well with other cats at first, let alone dogs.

Keep them seperate at first, they can sniff each other through the closed door. Gradually allow supervised contact until they get used to each other.

Not sure its a disadvantage to have the cat somewhere else, like someone said, they're territorial, it might be better to have both of them meeting on unfamiliar ground, i.e. their new home, so neither of them feels they have dibs on the place.

The trick is to introduce them slowly and gradually, if they get into a fight and make a bad first impression, may be hard to repair the relationship after that.

Best results the younger they are, getting acclimated to other animals is easier then. Dogs and cats tend to have different body language, play differently, so that can be a problem unless they learn that young.

Check with your vet, they'd probably have better info than a gun forum...

Randy

[bsg1]

i've blended cats in with a dog in the past. they became extremely close. my dog used to carry them around in his mouth. they'd play all night and frequently wake me up jumping across my bed....

[Alizard]

It depends on the cat. An adult cat may never accept a new animal (dog or cat) or they may. Cross your fingers.

A dog will accept a new cat as a new member of the pack, but a cat who believes they own that space may never accept a new animal if they are territorial.