Question on doggie/kitty "friendships"

**tricollie4me** · 03-06-2005, 07:27 AM

Just put an intro on the General board yesterday -- I have a 5-month-old tri collie pup and an 8-month-old torti kitty. The kitty came first and was fairly independent but sweet (not a lap kitty, but she did like coming around for companionship).

Now that we have the pup, a playful, active collie, the cat is around even more often and they seem to like to play. The cat teases the dog by sitting near and then running off, and the dog reacts by chasing, trying to pin the kitty or picking the cat up in her mouth by the leg or the torso. Our pup also loves to nibble and lick the cat's ears and the top of the cat's head.

My question is whether this is considered "okay" behavior among family pets who share a home. I do try to stop the chasing because I don't want my dog to think its okay to chase cats, kids, cars, whatever. I call her name, clap my hands, get her attention to come and sit and then give her a treat for being responsive.

But how involved should I be with the other behaviors? Our cat hasn't ever scratched our dog, doesn't meow loudly or arch her back when the dog approaches and instead seems to almost invite the pup for some interaction. The vet tells me to be mindful that our pup will grow to be much bigger (she's 20 lbs now, we expect her to be about 45-50 when full grown) and that's when the "innocent" play can become dangerous. However, I wonder if I'm seeing the beginnings of a "best friends" kind of thing, and I would hate to interfere with that!

What are your experiences in doggie/kitty friendships? How much "play" is okay, and what behaviors should be nipped in the bud? I keep hearing that cats can blind a dog with their claws, or leave scars on a dog's nose, etc.

Thanks for any thoughts!

tricollie4me

**lizbud** · 03-06-2005, 05:31 PM

Sounds like they get along great. Since they're both so young
they should develope a healthy respect for each other.

I would definately curb the pup from picking up the cat in it's
mouth, or any kind of mouthing except a lick on the head or
nose. Your pup could very well have an eye damaged by the
cat if she is accidently hurt in the rougher play that pups love.

**Karen** · 03-06-2005, 05:47 PM

She's a collie, she will chase/herd, but it's good that she's responding to your training in this regard!

It does sound like a great friendship in the making, but as others said, I'd try to curb the picking up kitty in the mouth thing. As long as it is just "playing," things'll be fine. The St. Bernard we had when I was growing up was the same age as a yellow-gold fluffball of a kitten next door. They were great friends, their colors matched, and they played together, chased each other through the yards - which was funnier and funnier to watch as the Saint grew - and grew - and grew! People would almost run their cars off the road when they'd see 6-month-old Fluffy chasing a 6-month old (but 8 times as big) Freckles across the field!

Your pup will learn boundaries, as the kitten will surely set them with hisses before claws come out.

Freckles never did learn that ALL kitties weren't her best friend, and most would have cat conniptions when a full-grown 185-pound dog would come bounding toward them to play!

**slleipnir** · 03-06-2005, 11:53 PM

I think playing is fine, so long at the dog doesn't bite at all at the cat. My cat will try to play with the dogs some, and one dog will chase her, but I don't allow them to carry on with it. I don't allow my dogs to even 'play' bite my cat. I'm worried they might one day bite to hard or something so I just don't allow it. Maybe I'm just paranoid though, but my dogs didn't exactly like my cat to start off so I kinda had to be

They get along great now

**Pit Chick** · 03-08-2005, 10:25 AM

It's not easy to get a dog/cat friendship like that so just sit back and enjoy. Be a referee when needed if things get too rough, but like someone said, they will teach each other their boundaries. I wouldn't worry too much about the cat blinding the pup with a claw to the eye unless the cat is acting aggressively toward the pup. If the cat gives the pup a swat on the nose, she may or may not use claws and most of the time it's just a little prick when they do use claws. Some people have their cats declawed because of this fear, but that will only lead to more biting by the cat which can be much worse than a scratch. I would love to see some pics of your babies playing.

**tricollie4me** · 03-09-2005, 08:51 PM

Thanks for all the great feedback - we are watching these two closely to make sure they both feel safe as they get to know one another better. Our kitty is so indulgent of our pup -- and our pup just wants to be silly and physical and attentive. Here's a pic taken just two days after we brought the pup home:

I think they'll be fast friends, but I am mindful of our pup using her mouth and mindful of our kitty using her claws -- and no chasing (easier said than done, but we're working on it)!