Introducing my 3 Cattens and My 2 dogs 2 each other

[JenWhite]

I have posted pics of my kitty cutie pies, but I haven't talked about my dogs (Cat Talk duh!) Anyways, I had a kitten last year that we tried to 'introduce' to Buster our Yellow Lab and he killed Nitro (our kitty). It was a horrific and terrifying experience! Now with Lenox, Giz, and Oreo I am far more protective. I would however like to socialize the animals if possible. I know all interaction will be supervised, but I am just not sure how to go about it, if at all. Buster and Bandit (St Bernard~ not a worry other than size) are outside dogs. Before the cattens I would let them in on occassion to lay at the foot of my bed or sit on the tile in the kitchen, so socializing IN the house is not really an option. I would have preferred more inside time for them but my husband disagreed and that's a whole different post! So. . . have any of you PT'ers intorduced a not so cat friendly dog to your cats? Please help!

TIA

Jen

[Kfamr]

The advice that was given in dog general, I believe, is the best advice you can get in the situation.

[JenWhite]

Thank you. I was trying to get as many different views as possible, and thought maybe some cat talkers would have a different perspective or experience.

[jenluckenbach]

Since I understand that your dogs are outside dogs, where will the cats be living? If they are totally to be indoor cats I would say to just make sure they stay in and the dogs stay out.

If you want the dogs indoors, I would think a leash is a requirement. You need to be able to control the dog and the cat needs to be able to flee.

If the cats are to be left outside, I fear that they WILL be chased. Some dogs have a high prey drive and it is simply in their genetics to do what they do.

[catmandu]

SDALY,IF A CAT RUNS,A LOT OF DOGS,AS JEN SAYS,HAVE THAT INSTINCT,TO HUNT,AND KILL.
YOU HAVE TO REINFORCE,THE IDEA,TO THE DOG,BY SAYING THE CATS NAME,AND THAT THE CAT,IS THE DOGS FRIEND,SOMETHING,THAT IT WILL TAKE,THE DOG,A LONG TIME,TO REALIZE,IF THE CATS,PUFFED UP,AND HOSTILE!!

GOOD LUCK,WITH THE INTERACTIONS!!!