Help!

[Catboy123]

Hello, as you know i have two one year old cats and i have noticed at the shelter that i got the cats had a husky dog which i've always wanted, and i was wondering how to introduce the husky to the cats and if there is any right way. Thanks for your help

[Laura's Babies]

You will have to wait for more experienced experts to come by and give you full details but you keep them sperated to start with. You'll have to introduce then real slow and keep in mind that not all dogs like cats and not all cats like dogs....if that would be the case, you would have a problem.

[kuhio98]

This sounds like a question for Glacier. She has sled dogs and kitties. Not sure if they all get along. My sister has a husky who tolerates the 5 cats but I've heard some bad stories about huskies and their kitty hunting instinct. Oh Glacier???

[Glacier]

Be extraordinarily careful! Huskies tend to view smaller animals as prey. They will kill cats. Never, ever leave them alone together-even if they have lived happily with a cat for years!

When introducing them, make sure kitty has an escape route--somewhere the dog can't get. Keep the dog on a leash. Let the cat approach the dog, don't force the issue. Crate the dog if you can't watch it at all times. A split second can lead to tragedy.

I have 20 huskies/malamutes and 8 cats. Of the dogs, one is a true cat killer. She can't even see them! I've done everything possible and Kayleigh's prey drive is just too high. I have several who are great with them, a couple I keep leashed, and a few who are never without my eye on them inside.

Some huskies can live with cats, but you have to be very careful. Some can't. Maybe the shelter could cat test the husky? Just see how he responds in a controlled setting?

[Glacier]

I forgot to add that my cats are indoor only and all of my dogs are untrustworthy with outdoor cats. They've never seen cats outside so to them outside cats must be like squirrels and they are allowed to chase squirrels.

[catmandu]

Iahve heard to,that if the cat runs,thena Husky,will revert,to hisnature,and kill the Cat! I would be careful,not to leave them,alone,Together!

I can't seem to help. Sorry. I might figure something out soon . Don't worry.






Meow meow strawberries

[Fox-Gal]

Originally posted by Glacier
Maybe the shelter could cat test the husky? Just see how he responds in a controlled setting?

Thats what I did before I got Odie, the shelter was a great help with that. It will at least give you some idea on what could or might happen. Just don't go by it 100%. Odie did great at the shelter, didn't seem to care less about the cats. When we got him home is was fine, till the day a cat tried to rub on him. Odie didn't like that! I gave him credit for being as nice as he was about it, he did his growl, niped at her and once she backed off he went back to sleep and the cats learned DONT RUB ON ODIE and DONT EAT ODIES FOOD!

Sorry I can't be much more help then that. I can only say, I have 7 dogs and 11 cats and there's only 3 of the dogs that I trust 100% with the cats. None of them have ever hurt a cat, but nipping at them when they get in the way, that happens here. But they all seem to know their limits of what they can and can not do and for the most part we are all one big happy family. Except Rocky, who is never alowed near the cats!!!!

Test and re-test is all I can say, till you get a feel a full feel of how things are going to go. On average, their responce will not change too much, if you have a nipper, he will most likely be a nipper always, etc etc. At least thats how if works here.

[Maresche]

Everyone here has given great advice and the only thing I can think of to add is: if the shelter can cat-test this Husky and they find that he/she is not good with cats, don't adopt him/her. It isn't worth it, but you've probably already figured that out.