Due to a recent breakup from a long term relationship, I am staying with my parents until I can get back on my feet. The problem is that my 2 yr old dog has had to come with me. My parents have 2 cats and a dog. Their dog, who is 12, gets along fine with mine. However, when my dog is here, the cats won't come downstairs, so my mom has to put the kitty litter and food in an upstairs bathroom for them. Over the years I've stayed here for short trips, a few days at a time, so this is fine for a temporary arrangement, but this time I could be here for a few months. I know it isn't fair to my mom or her cats to disrupt the home, but my ex will not keep my dog and I don't want her to go to a shelter or re-home her since this is a temporary move for me.
My dog has never been around cats, but doesn't seem to have a problem with them other than curiosity. It's the cats that seem to be afraid of the new dog. Has anyone had experience with having to acquaint cats and dogs like this? Is it even possible? Given my current emotional state from leaving the man I was with for over 6 years, I don't think I could handle giving up my dog. I know that is somewhat selfish but I also know she would not have a better life anywhere else (she's also part pit so would most likely be put down if she were to go to a shelter). I would like to try and make this situation work before I consider other options.
Thank you all for your help.
Answers & Comments
Verified answer
If your dog is not threatening to the cats, they'll come around. Everyone just has to be patient, that's all.
If the dog shows the smallest sign of stepping out of line with any of the cats (ie overly interested), correct it immediately.
as quickly as I dated my husband, I advised him "Love me, Love my cats". It became right into a kit and that he mandatory to examine to love them to. actually NO - you need to not do away with the cats. you could run air filters or cut back the cats to a single room while mom is around. specific, the cats shouldn't crawl around on her if she is allergic, yet she will might desire to help herself. She ought to truly get some meds for those situations while she would be traveling. there are a number of solid meds to administration hypersensitivity issues. you're able to do a sprint greater suitable cleansing formerly her visits. i think of you will possibly desire to tell your GF an identical factor that I had stated to my then-BF: Love me, Love my cat because of the fact it relatively is a kit and the cats will proceed to be with you. tell her that removing the cats isn't an selection as they're some thing you like and the way can she require you to supply up some thing meaning lots to you? I agree completely with your view. It does not sound like she herself minds being around the cats. yet there's no reason which you could't artwork out a compromise. i comprehend of a girl it relatively is likewise allergic to cats. while she visits her son, she takes some hypersensitivity meds, the cats are closed right into a room for the duration of her bypass to, and he or she additionally realizes that the cats are a element of her son's dwelling house. She is conscious of that it relatively is a few thing it relatively is HER duty to deal with, and not her son's (although he does attempt to cut back it). desire this facilitates.
it may just take more time for the cats and dog to get to know each other. watch them very carefully even though the dog doesn't look like she is wanting to attack. if she acts like she may want to correct the behavior immediately.
just give it time it will get better, just dont force them around each other, just let it go natrally