How do I get our dog and cat to become friends?

[stormbv]

Maggie (Black Lab) and Isabel (Evil Black Cat) really hate each other. The cat is very anti-social, and is scared of all strangers that may be in our house. Also, I think she hates me now because the dog sleeps in my room.

But anyhow, the dog won't stop chasing the cat when she sees her. My girls are fighting, how do I get them to get along with each other?

 

[notfred]

Wait a while. That's pretty much all you can do, other than trading them in for a puppy and a kitten.

 

[Noirish]

Originally posted by: stormbv
Maggie (Black Lab) and Isabel (Evil Black Cat) really hate each other. The cat is very anti-social, and is scared of all strangers that may be in our house. Also, I think she hates me now because the dog sleeps in my room.

But anyhow, the dog won't stop chasing the cat when she sees her. My girls are fighting, how do I get them to get along with each other?

Put both in different case but side by side.
Eventually, they will learn to live with each other.

 

[Electric Amish]

Teach the dog not to chase because you can't teach cats sh!t.

amish

 

[pyonir]

How long have they co-habitated? (sp?)

 

[dethman]

put 'em in a burlap sack and put on some love music a la homer.

 

[stormbv]

They've been together for almost 2 years. The dog is 2 years old, and the cat is 8 or 9 years old. I want them to get along and play with each other, because that would be so cute!

 

[Looney]

Tie cat treats on the dog, and dog treats on the cat... eventually they'll associate each other with treats, and thus goodies.

 

[dakels]

putty a roofy in the kibble

actually sounds like the cat is a bit upset and the dog needs to learn not to jump on the cat through some training. I assume the dog is new? This may only be helped with time for the cat, but the dog can be trained not to jump all over the cat.

 

[Zugzwang152]

Originally posted by: stormbv
They've been together for almost 2 years. The dog is 2 years old, and the cat is 8 or 9 years old. I want them to get along and play with each other, because that would be so cute!

Now you sound like Skoorb...please just stop with the cute

 

[stormbv]

The cat is getting braver, though...today she came downstairs into the kitchen while the dog was in the other room.

 

[Hammer]

alcohol

 

[pyonir]

Originally posted by: stormbv
They've been together for almost 2 years. The dog is 2 years old, and the cat is 8 or 9 years old. I want them to get along and play with each other, because that would be so cute!

If it hasn't happened in two years...it isn't going to. The dog invaded the cats space and the cat will never forgive the dog, nor you for that. The cat will continue to run from the dog, and probably tolerate the dog. The dog will continue to chase the cat because the dog wants to play.

My cat never accepted the dog that invaded her space, even though the dog chased her and tried to play with her.

 

[jaeger66]

Originally posted by: stormbv
They've been together for almost 2 years. The dog is 2 years old, and the cat is 8 or 9 years old. I want them to get along and play with each other, because that would be so cute!

Replace the dog with a kitten. No offense, but it sounds like you seriously botched the whole process of introducing a new pet to an established one.

 

[dakels]

Originally posted by: stormbv
They've been together for almost 2 years. The dog is 2 years old, and the cat is 8 or 9 years old. I want them to get along and play with each other, because that would be so cute!

with an 8 y/o cat? pffft! thought it was hard to teach an old dog new tricks...?
your best bet for now is to tell that young dog to cool out. The cat... is on her own agenda and I doubt there is much you can do about it but wait and see.

 

[stormbv]

Originally posted by: Zugzwang152

Originally posted by: stormbv
They've been together for almost 2 years. The dog is 2 years old, and the cat is 8 or 9 years old. I want them to get along and play with each other, because that would be so cute!

Now you sound like Skoorb...please just stop with the cute

lol...well, Maggie did beat out Skoorb's cat Polly in the ATOT Queen of Cuteness showdown.

 

[spaceman]

have them engage in cross species humping.
bang bang bang!

 

[Viper GTS]

Put them in a situation where they have to rely on each other for their mutual survival.

The microwave would be an excellent starting point.

Viper GTS

 

[Looney]

Wow, 2 years and they're still like that? You should have definitely taught your dog by now not to chase the cat... what have you been doing all these years when the dog chases the cat?

 

[Armitage]

Grill the cat with some onions & garlic ... your dog will love it

Seriously ... there's not much you can do, but rolling the dog in some catnip could be amusing a awhile.

 

[Skyclad1uhm1]

Cats are much more territorial than dogs, so if they have the house for themselves for years any newly introduced animal will be seen as an invader. If you take a young dog (esp a female one) and introduce kittens, changes it will work out fine are much higher. A young (1 year or so) female dog may very well look at them as 'babies', ignoring the fact that they are kittens rather than puppies, and will then raise them.

 

[dakels]

Originally posted by: ncircle
have them engage in cross species humping.
bang bang bang!

They are both female....

 

[Gunther]

Originally posted by: Moralpanic
Tie cat treats on the dog, and dog treats on the cat... eventually they'll associate each other with treats, and thus goodies.

Umm... I think they might associate each other with food, resulting in a big mess of blood and fur...

 

[stormbv]

Originally posted by: jaeger66

Originally posted by: stormbv
They've been together for almost 2 years. The dog is 2 years old, and the cat is 8 or 9 years old. I want them to get along and play with each other, because that would be so cute!

Replace the dog with a kitten. No offense, but it sounds like you seriously botched the whole process of introducing a new pet to an established one.

I know...I'm a bad parent. They have learned to tolerate each other (the dog has learned that she'll never catch the cat), and the cat takes free reign of the house when the dog is outside or sleeping. I guess my hopes for them taking naps together are dashed.

 

[Looney]

Well, it certainly is possible to have them live peacefully... when i first brought my dog home to my parents, the cat (6 yrs old) and dog (2yrs) use to always fight... and fight bloody (cat isn't declawed). But we always broke up the fights and now they're great.... they don't play with one another, but they sleep together in the same bed.