Advice needed please !!

[twiglet1]

We recently bought a 2 yr old male Akita he is a lovely boy and settled in really well , problem is my 2 cats , he is a big dog , ( previous owner says they had a cat ) so apparently use to them , my cats hiss at him and he just looks like he wants to play and sniff them , how can I get them use to each other ? , sadly 1 of the cats won't come near the house no more ,

[JaysMum]

it will take time.... feed the cats first then the dog.... put either dog in a crate or the cats so they can have a sniff at each other with nothing coming of it... really suggest it's the dog in the crate not the cats, so cats can go to dog in their own time.... praise cats just as you would the dog.. also get some feliway in so cats can be assured at the big change in thier lives... never leave cats and dog alone together until you are totally sure they can be trusted together...

I got Tara four years ago, and had the cats first.. they were 6, she was 2.... it's just in the last year or so that Salem has stopped his daily hissing and swiping at Tara with his very sharp claws in her very sensitive nose... other cat is more relaxed about having a dog.

for the cat that's about to move out.... keep a room purely for the cat.. s/he needs some place to call their own while cat gets used to the fact a big dog has moved in, and cuddle regularly.. nothign worse than feeling your being shoved out in favour of a big smelly dog..lol

[honeybees]

This is always really tricky as the dog will handle himself really well if you teach him a strong leave it command..but the cat will lash out and will aim for the muzzle/eyes.

It's not impossible but tricky.
Never allow the dog off the lead until he is showing no intrest in the cats, and when he does leave a long line on him just in-case.
It's also good to remeber that Akita's were orginally hunting dogs.
Allow the cat to have a 'safe' room where they can retreat from the dog and vice versa.

Give your Akita the cats blanket/bed and allow him to sniff and 'check-out' the cat, allow him to sleep with it and give it back to the cat and vice versa.
Also give the cat one of the dogs toys to 'check-out' the dog.
Expect this too last around 3 months, supervising them and assisting their friendship.

Block up the cat flap/stop the cat going out and provide litter trays or the cats may never come back.
Don't force them together, the cats will chose when they want to meet the dog.

This site is quite helpful :
www.dogbehaviour.com/articles/catmeetsdog.htm

[honeybees]

Sorry just cross-posted with Jaysmum ...

[twiglet1]

Thank you ! Some really helpful advice , we will certainly be putting your ideas into practise
The elder cat is very good if left alone so no doubt he will get use to him quicker , we have supervised but they not had contact has the dog is to keen ATM ,
I'm hoping I can get the younger cat to come back , I saw him on a neighbours shed yesterday I tried shouting him down ( while the dog was safely indoors ) but he wouldn't have it , will keep you posted on the outcome fingers x a happy one x

[twiglet1]

Small update , the younger cat is stopping 2 doors away in there shed , my partner went round earlier to bring him home to feed him , he caught him but he struggled so much he couldn't keep hold of him , he said he has dropped weight so had to put some cat biscuits on that shed for him , he has eaten the food now so atleast he is not hungry , I'm just worried he will never come back with the new dog here , should we keep feeding him where he is or persist to bring him home ?

[honeybees]

Sorry Twiglet1 only just noticed your update.
How are things now?
I would take a cat box and get him in it, bring him home and take him in a room were the dog is not allowed.
Leave him in there to settle and give him some of the dogs smell to accostomize (sp?) him to the smell.
Leave cat in there until he feel safe enough to venture out and see how things go.
It's vital the dog does not disturb the cat he needs some time to adjust.

The cat is clearly not happy and I honestly think, as hard as it may be, you should look at finding the cat a dog free home.

[twiglet1]

Thanks for your reply , we did do that , bring him in, in a cat box and had him in my daughters room , he cried like a baby , we let him out again a few days later ,
Things sadly didn't improve the dog would not leave alone no matter what , we decided to rehome the dog , it wasn't fair to the cats , we were gutted , we bought a puppy a little dog , the cats are fine with her , I think the size of the Akita was to much for them , we miss him loads still and wish things could of been different x

[honeybees]

Oh I'm sorry to hear you couldn't work things out but like you said it wasn't fair and at least he got a nice new home... glad to hear the new puppy is living up too expectations, i'm sure the cats will put her in her place, mine certainely did to my puppies lol
x