Cross Breeds

How can I get my cats and dog to get along?

I have had the cats for 2 years and got the dog about 7 months ago. They do not get along. Any suggestions? The dog wants to play but the cats are scared to death or him. I have a gate across the stairs so the dog can't get to them and they don't have to be stressed all day worrying about the dog.

Public Comments

1. I have had a cat and dog in the house for 3 years. when they were first put in the house together, then they didn't get along. After time of letting them run free together now they just leave each other alone. The dog wants to play because he is a puppy and all puppies want to play with anything. just let them be free together and the cat will show him who is boss!
2. Find out who the aggressive one is the cat or the dog, and then every time the aggressor comes around the other animal give him/her a treat. Eventually the aggressor will associate the other animal with positive rewards, and grow to tolerate him/her.
3. If you have a large dog, the cats may never get really friendly with him, too big a size discrepancy. Eventually, the cats will get used to him being around, but you may have to keep the gate up forever. My friend got a german shepherd pup two years ago, and she still has the gates up to separate the dog from the cats. Should have let the cats teach the dog who was boss when he was a little puppy. The only advice I can give now is to give it time. Eventually, they may learn to co-exist on their own terms.
4. I would say try putting the dog on a leash and bringing the cats down then maybe if the dog gets a chance to sniff them and then he might be better with them. and maybe if the cats see him and see he wont hurt him they wont be scared of them. many people have cats and dogs that get along. If that doesnt work i would also try to what someone else suggested. The giving the aggresive animal a treat when the other comes near this way the agressive animal will want to be near the other to get a reward well hope i helped!
5. Hi there. I just acclimated a cat into my household of 4 dogs. Here's the eHow I wrote to document how I did it - maybe it will help you: How to Introduce a New Cat Into Your House and Home When You Have Other Pets - click on the link below to go to the article: http://www.ehow.com/how_4773258_cat-house-home-other-pets.html