Simba & Cats (Help, please)

**Kfamr** · 06-26-2004, 03:50 AM

Simba totally confuses me when it comes to cats.

Just a few minutes ago, I brought Caeleigh out -- all he did was sniff and watch her.
Of course, I was either right beside him telling him to stay, or holding Caeleigh... so there was no way for him to go after her. But, he didn't pull or try to either.

He's never barked/growled at a cat, just whined as he would do wanting to play, wanting to go outside, or wanting a treat.

I don't know if i'm just being paranoid, I mean he's never hurt a cat, he just gets really excited. And personally, I don't know if I want to take the chances if in the case he is aggressive towards cats.

Anyone have any suggestions, any advice....anything?

**RobiLee** · 06-26-2004, 04:02 AM

Hmmm....Do you think Simba could be picking up on your feelings and tension? I don't really have any advice. Have you just sat close by and watched without holding on to either one. Just be ready to intervene if something does happen. More than likely Simba would just chase the kitty away. I don't know....I'm still just wondering if Simba is picking up on your anxieties about it. Hmm....I'm not much help.

It just makes me think of Alden when we are walking the dogs, especially in a crowd. Alden is always so paranoid that Katie will do something that I swear he gets so tense when he is walking her and she just never stops pulling and relaxes. I told him that and he thought I was crazy. Until I finally said let me have her! I took over walking Katie that day and she was fine. She pulled a little bit in the beginning and people would come to pet her and she was just fine. Finally Alden said that maybe I had a point. He is just too tense and too afraid that the big girl might get too close to someone and jump on them or hurt them and Katie really senses it.

I know I'm no help!

**pink_giggles90** · 06-26-2004, 04:14 AM

well, i wouldn't do any more than you are now.my dog plays with my fuzzies and i can leave the room. thats cause their is POSSIBLE way he would hurt anything unless it hurt me or my sis. i don't think you cutie would hurt her,but i don't know her. i know you love ya cat but i just don't think that i would take the chance. he seems quite fine just excited right? maybe hes o.k. but does your kitty like simba?

**Cookiebaker** · 06-26-2004, 05:46 AM

Hi Kay, when we were introducing Malone & Marigold, I first introduced them where Marigold had a place that she could go that Malone could not. (For example onto the kitchen table) I let Marigold "swat" Malone on the nose when he got too nosy, and that put Malone in his place from the start. I also did this when we got Emerson.

I know your situation is a little different in that Simba is already situated and the cats are the newcomers.

My only suggestion is to relax a little and let them come to terms. Watch closely though! If Simba is just sniffing, the kitty probably will be fine with that. If he gets too nosy, she will swat. The case where you would want to intervene is when Simba started to growl or look as if he were ready to lunge or something.

Hope that helps, and the best of luck to you! I know that if ANYBODY could make a dog and cat get along, it would be you.

**DogLover9501** · 06-26-2004, 09:06 AM

Kay, I can't give you too much advice, because Tigger was here first

He also "swats" the dogs on the snouts, sometimes if they even just walk by lol so they usually leave him alone.

Anna's advice sounds good, I've heard of that alot, when introducing a dog to a cat, to make sure the cat has an escape route! Not only incase the dog goes after it, but incase the cat doesn't feel comfortable.

**lbaker** · 06-26-2004, 09:24 AM

My dogs & cats all came into my house when another dog or cat, or both usually, was already in residence so they just thought that's "the way things are". If a new visitor dog comes in and is antsy about seeing a cat the resident dogs will - in their own doggie way - let the newby know "this is NOT cool". No advise, just positive thoughts and faith in your own ability to make it happen