My boy and a cat

[Bones664]

We adopted a kitty from the shelter over a week ago. Not the first time I have done this, but the first time I have done this since being a mastiff mommy. I have had many dogs over the years, and meshing a rescue kitty with them has never been an issue.

It has been over a week, and the pup likes to go visit the kitty as long as I am not around. But if I am near the cat, he attempts to eat the cat. I know it is protection of his owner, but what can be done to make them all one big happy family?

The cat is petrified (obviously) of the dog now. I expected it to take a week or two to work them into the home together, but I don't see it happening for a long time. I have the cat gated off down the hallway with the spare bedroom. The dog can go see the cat and they can smell each other, etc. I make sure I give alot of attention to our pup and show him that I give attention to the cat (when he can't get to her).. to try and introduce the cat into his pack.......but it's not working.

Anyone have info? Advice? Maybe this was just a bad idea. The Jack Russell doesn't seem to mind the cat, but once the Corso goes after the cat.. the Jack wants to also.

 

[Bentley]

Is the cat and adult or a kitten? and how big is the Corso? I would recommend at the moment controlled time together with the jack russell elsewhere. To start with place the cat up high where no physical contact can be made (and is reassuring for the cat) and just have them spend a little time together. You will be able to see how serious the Corso is by how quickly he changes focus from the cat. The other question that maybe someone else on the forum can answer is what is the prey drive like with Corsos in general. I would seperate the Jack Russell from these meetongs at first as the potential high energy terrier behaviour may be the catalyst for some of these incidents.

My two cats sleep in the same bedding area as Ben by choice and have both let Ben know what their limits are with a quick claw across the chops as needed.

 

[Ripsmom]

this is something I am very familiar with...a few questions: how old is the dog? when he visits the cat when you are not around what is the cat doing...ie. staying still or moving? is the cat able to move freely without the dog stalking it? does he do the same thing if the JRT comes near you or is it only the cat?

 

[Bones664]

Thank you for the responses.

To answer questions: The Corso is 9 months old apx. 100lbs. I try to exercise him before any 'meetings' with the cat now to get rid of some excess energy that might end up on the cat. If I am not around.. meaning significantly across the room then do fine. (doing fine= Dog in curious, cat is in full puff-mode)
The cat is anywhere from 10 months to 1 year. Rescue animal.. no one was totally sure.

I agree the Jack should be out of the room. She is generally good with all animals (except frogs). She is 14 years old but still very active for her age... and has had many k9 and feline siblings along the way. But she is an instigator. I look forward to them all being good friends.

Usually when the dog visits the cat and I am not in the area, the cat is resting up high.. but in a cubical type setting with no escape. Not my intention, he chose this area over the area I made for him. I think I might try the cat in the kitchen later today.. where he can move freely up on the higher cabinets and fridge without issue.

No.. he is only slightly jealous of the jack and only whimpers when the jack is getting more attention than he is, no hostility at all. I have had the jack for a small eternity.. so the Jack is pretty much alpha here at the house since we lost our ancient mama German Shepherd in December.

Ok... I have a few ideas to try... but will check back for more info soon. Thank you all.

 

[Ripsmom]

I would be curious to see the dog's reaction while the cat is in motion, a lot of dogs are fine if the cat just sits there but once the cat starts moving around the dog wants it dead... this is where prey drive kicks in. try it SAFELY with the dog on long leash but don't let him too close that he can get the cat and watch what he does: ie. stands still w/ tail (or stub) stiff and up; lunges forward barking or screaming; wants to go see kitty but body is loose and happy... also would be interesting to know what he does when the cat swats him. some dogs will back off and others will blow up once the cat swipes them. he is still a pup so you should be able to fix it, you can crate the dog (if he is used to it ) and let the cat loose, and give high value treats like chicken or liver to the dog while the cat is near the crate...you can do the same with the dog out of the crate BUT in either case the trick is to make sure he does not get overly aroused or lung at the cat, so keep the dog on lead and kitty nearby and make the dog sit or down and as long as he remains calm around the cat he gets the treats..the idea is for him to realize that the cat is a good thing and that when kitty is around food happens. I would try all positives first then if he really doesn't improve you may want to try aversives but with him being a puppy it more than likely is a case of not being socialized with cats and he just needs to learn it's inappropriate and not acceptable to chase or behave aggressively with the cat. It is important that you fix it now because you don't want curiosity to escalate into something more as he gets older. My EM is fine with my cats but every once in a while she will corner one and poke it with her muzzle (mouth closed) to try to get it to run so she can chase it...needless to say i don't allow this and as soon as i hear her dancing around I tell her a firm "NO" and she leaves the cat but if i said nothing she would keep going, I know she wouldn't kill it but I don't want her to think even bullying the cat is acceptable

 

[Bones664]

Well the cat grew a LARGE pair today and decided to come out of his secure location on his own without warning. All three ended up under the dining table in a mangled chaotic mess. I quickly pulled everyone away and got the cat to the top of the refrigerator, where the Corso spent about 35 minutes staring at him and whimpering. NOT at all how I envisioned the first true meeting to be. But it is what it is. Now my cat is even more ticked off, and my Corso has a roughed up nose.

I do not know what his initial body language was.. it all moved too fast. But I will say that he backed up when he was swatted. But once I came in the room.. he lunged again. Same as before.. he is more curious until I am close by.

Once on the fridge... my husband kept the dog as calm as possible, and would treat him for a few moments of content, good attention, sitting on command.. and when my husband would try to pet the kitty and the dog stayed put.

It's a start.. we have a long way to go.

 

[Ripsmom]

just make sure the cat is safe while the dog is loose, personally unless the dog is contained somehow ...either crated or on leash so you can work with him I would keep the cat out of sight (if the dog is loose)

 

[Bones664]

Well, the cat was out of sight. He is in a wing of the house where there is only a few spare rooms and a bathroom. He sleeps in the farthest room down the hall on a shelf and his food and toilet are set up in the restroom. This hall is gated off... no dogs allowed. But the cat came flying over the dog gate last night out of the blue.. for the first time. I guess we will have to shut him off in a bedroom now. I do understand the need now. Thank you for the help.