Need pet advice: Have new dog in house owned by 3 cats

[MidwestMomma]

Hi all...

I have a question for all the wonderful pet owners if you have a minute or two. We recently adopted a 2 year old beagle mix. Her name is Sadie and she is very sweet but she has 3 missions in life:

1) Eat the cat food
2) Eat the cat litter
3) Eat the cats-Patches, Walter and Scamper

Just kidding about eating the cats. She isn't really trying to eat the cats. In fact, she has not really tried to hurt the cats but she does want to play with them. I don't think Sadie has been around cats much because she tries to play with them like they were dogs and they want no part of that.

So the cats get annoyed and they either run away, bat her head or growl death threats at her.

My question is: how much should I interfere in the dog and cats interaction? I tend to yell at the dog for bothering the cats but maybe that's not the best way to handle as I'm afraid the dog will bother the cats just for my attention.

My cats all have their claws so they are fully armed and they can probably take care of themselves but how much harassment by the dog should I make them put up with? I don't want the dog to get in the habit of chasing the cats and things getting out of hand and someone getting hurt.

I keep the dog separated from the cats when I'm gone so they only interact when I'm home. Anyway, I welcome any advice or opinions on making our home a fun place for all the creatures here...including the humans. Thanks :)

ps Also, any beagle owners out there, tell me funny stories...I know you have them!

[Madrone]

1. I brought a puppy into a 3 kitty household -

Cats are still pissed, dog LOVES cats, can't understand why it's not mutual.

The cats can and will take care of themselves and put the dog in her place. I'd really only intervene if they're driving you nutso, or the cats aren't handling their own.

[MidwestMomma]

3. How long have the cats been pissed?

Been trying to figure out if mine will EVER forgive me!

You described my house exactly...dog loves cats, can't figure out why it's not mutual. Honestly, I think I worry more about the dog...my boy Walter is a big male and he's the one that growls death threats at the dog if she invades his personal space. I tell the dog "You are going to get you ass kicked!" but she just wags her tail and looks puzzled.

The dog is like having a new kid in the house. I'm sure she thinks her name is "Sadie No". Right now she's sleeping on the sofa and all's quiet. Thanks for the advice.

[Madrone]

8. Oh, just a little over a year now... :)

They were cool when the rats came to live with us, they were cool when the hamsters came to live with us, they where cool when the ferrets came to live with us, and they were cool when the sugar gliders came to live with us. The dog? Bah Humbug!

Actually, one of the kitties now tolerates the dog very well - the other 2 won't let him near them. The dog now mainly messes with the one that lets him, and leaves the others alone. They laid down the law, and he follows it. The one he does mess with - well, he's no fun to pet anymore. His fur is always soggy, or crusty with dried dog slobber. lol

[MidwestMomma]

10. I also have 1 cat that will let the dog mess with her

My youngest cat Scamper. Guess she's used to being bossed around by the other 2 cats in the house. Right now she's laying on the dog's pillow in the kitchen.

She actually lets Sadie chase her but she also bats her in the head and hisses so I can't tell if she's having fun or not. Guess time will tell!

[roguevalley]

2. Only step in if blood looks imminent. They are sorting themselves out

and they will be friends, most of them anyway. Sometimes
one will hold out but they will do their own sorting. :)

[MidwestMomma]

5. That's what I've been thinking, that maybe I was getting too involved

I will step back a bit and see what happens. Thanks.

[Eureka]

4. I agree with Proud Democrat

The cats will take care of point 3 all on their own, and it would be great fun to watch (if you're into bloodsports, but don't worry too much, they rarely cause serious injury, mainly pride wounding)

With points 1 and 2, you just need to get the dog to respond to a NO command on your behalf. If you only teach a dog one command, make it NO, dogs are usually smart enough to know when they are misbehaving and NO works as a good catchall. Eg, if my dogs are running away from me, I call NO and they stop. Conversely, if they are running towards me (with dirty feet while I'm clean) shouting NO will make them stop too.

The most important thing for a well adjusted dog is knowing that there is a social hierarchy and what place they have in it.

[MidwestMomma]

7. We are really working on NO

I don't know anything about her history so it's hard to tell what she knows and doesn't know. When she first came home she was sick and very underweight and very mellow. Now we've fattened her up and got her well and she's not so mellow. But I still love her...well, when I don't find her on the kitchen table that is. :)

I will continue to work on NO and let the pets work out their problems more on their own. It is interesting to see how differently each cat reacts to the dog. Thanks for the advise.

[papau]

6. one on one a small cat handles the dog easily - should be no problem

as to safety of cat

But the dog can end up at the vets (I once saw a cat in a bad mood - for no reason - jump the back of a dog, hold on with 3 claws, and just keep digging with other - jumping to a tree when tired - leaving the dog to vet, operation and stitches, and hospital and about 3 weeks to recover - costing the owner of the dog that was tied in a line in its yard - namely me - about $800 - that could not be recovered from the cat owner because of "only my word")

About 50 years ago a neighbors dog with 3 or 4 cats that owned it finally had a second dog move into the next house - there were about 10 other cats in the nearby houses in the area - at that point.

My conclusion after a week was that 2 dogs can handle any number of cats - with the cats going to the vet - if they are lucky. Actually - one of the dogs was not into killing - just mouth the cat and scare it. But folks lost a few cats before everyone realized free roaming cats and dogs was a no-no.

[MidwestMomma]

9. That's sad about your dog

That's probably what I'm afraid of, one of the cats freaking out and hurting the dog. But like I said, I keep them separated when I'm gone so if things do get out of hand, I'll have to get the bucket of water.

Actually, two of the cats probably fight each other more than they'll ever fight with the dog. (Patches and Walter have issues with each other.)

[papau]

11. Thanks - and I am sure things will work out without a lot of blood in your

cat and dog home.

:-)

[burrowowl]

12. Don't let her eat the cat food

It is too rich for dogs and the cats eating the dog food will not get enough protein.