Does anyone have cats with a young doodle?

Taryn L

We have two adult cats with Jaxy, and he loves to harass them! They dont have front claws (lucky for Jax) and they growl and hiss at him and bop with their paws.
It seems that the more they react to him the more excited and playful he gets. In fact sometimes he will argue with them, cause he wants their attention. It reminds me of a younger brother with older sisters who don't want to be bothered by him.

Anyway, does anyone have any tips about how to facilitate my pets getting along and how to get Jaxy to stop bugging the cats, so that they have a chance to "like" him?

hmz819 · Posted: Wed May 07, 2008 8:05 am Post subject:

I have had Maya for over 6 mos and I have a cat. Maya gets told everytime she goes near the cat to leave her alone. After a sniff or two she usu does. If Maya doesn't leave her alone I distract with a cookie or toy so Morgan (cat) can have some peace. Morgan pretty much stays upstairs anyway so we don't have a big problem with it.
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Heather, Morgan, Maya, and Sadie
He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog. You are his life, his love, his leader. He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart. You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion-Unknown

L's Mom · Senior Member Joined: 15 Feb 2008 Posts: 1092 Location: GA

I would like some good suggestions as well on this! Lucas (9 months) finally start leaving the cats alone (most of the time) but with the arrival of Della and her interest in the cats, Lucas can't help himself either!
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Jenny, Sam, Lucas, & Della

doodleallday · Junior Member Joined: 27 Jul 2006 Posts: 72

I have a 10 year old cat and six month old Libby. My cat (Azuza) doesn't like any other animals so introducing Libby to the household didn't go smoothly. I've always kept my bedroom off limits to Libby, so that Azuza has a "safe" zone. Instead of closing the door though, I put up a gate that has a tiny 10 in. door at the bottom. It allows Azuza to go in and out on her own terms, but keeps Libby from bothering her. Also with the gate up, Azuza is able to see Libby and she likes to keep an eye on her, I think it's really helped that she can get used to her presence and still have the safety of the gate between them.
My vet said if I can get the two of them in the same room together without hissing within six months that is major progress. He said cats can take up to a year to adjust to a new animal.
I encourage Azuza to come out when Libby is calm/tired. that way she is less likely to be chased and she is more relaxed.

Taryn L · Posted: Wed May 07, 2008 9:46 am Post subject:

Thanks for the tips... I know it took my cat Alley about 6 mos or so to get used our cat Lucy when we first got her (and they are in the same species) not to mention Lucy is a total lover-cat.
We do have space for the cats, where Jax cant go (we do the gate thing too).

But I think you're right, it will take some time before they get used to each other. It will help when Jax has gotten a little more mature and doesnt make a point of bugging them.

Tink · Posted: Wed May 07, 2008 10:53 am Post subject:

It's for this very reason that I introduce my pups to our cat long before they're able to harass him. Since many families have both cats and dogs, I think it's a good preventive plan.

Luckily our cat is very mellow and doesn't seem at all afraid of dogs. He does however still have his claws should he need them. Wink

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Hickory, Ava, Hana, Misty, and Chip (happy master of his Harem)

doodleallday · Junior Member Joined: 27 Jul 2006 Posts: 72

oh tink! that little baby looks so precious! I swear if i'm ever able to get another doodle, I'm coming strait to you!

Tink · Posted: Wed May 07, 2008 12:10 pm Post subject:

Nickie, you will actually get to hold him in a few weeks when you visit!
I'm looking so forward to meeting you and LibbyLu!
By that time we'll have even more puppies for you to cuddle. lol
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Hickory, Ava, Hana, Misty, and Chip (happy master of his Harem)

sessa35 · Posted: Wed May 07, 2008 4:39 pm Post subject:

Sue, aka, BLUETEAL, is the resident expert on this question--her gorgeous doodle, Denver, lives with 9, yes 9, cats!! Shocked

Mija is not a good role-model on this one... Embarassed

Our cat is not a good role-model either, to say the least. (lucy, aka, lucifer). Wink

They have a healthy respect for each other...
but,
I would hardly call it LOVE.
Embarassed

I've only ever tried to train Mija to "leave it" regarding the cat....I've tried to train the cat "be nice" with Mija--yeah, right! LOL!!
She won't chase after her, BUT, she will bark at the cat when she claws our furniture (Mija's likes to "correct" the cat for me! Embarassed

)
I often think I sheltered her too much from the cat---as she has not yet felt the wrath of Lucy's claws or bite!! And believe me, I've seen Lucy do it too--its like Animal Planet or Wild Kingdom, she'll take a dog down by the hind legs and go for the jugular! Shocked

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REASON #50, "Why I love my doodle so": My doodle teaches ME new things EVERY day!

blueteal · Posted: Wed May 07, 2008 7:15 pm Post subject:

Vanessa, the gorgeous Denver thanks you!!!
Denver does indeed live with nine cats and they rule the house.
Since he was a pup he was taught "no chase" and off.
He was rewarded with toys, treats and above all praise, when he did not chase. To this day he is not allowed to chase, even when enticed by the cats and believe me they try to get him to chase, but he is not allowed to
otherwise kaos. All the cats tolerate Denver, 2 of them seek out his company and 1 who still growls and hisses at him but they work it out.
The other 6 sometimes kiss him and sometimes smack him but I let them
work it out their way. The disruptions in my house come from the cats
fighting with each other at times and Denver is the self appointed referee
He will stand in between the fighters and just lift his head out of the way.
They are his pack and he will defend them to the end.
When he has his doggy friends over Denver does not allow them near the cats even though they are cat friendly. The alpha female baits him all the time and comes close pretending to kiss him and smacks instead, he falls for it everytime. Denver has the best temperment and that is why i chose
this breed as they seem to really get along with other animals.
I am very lucky to have such a great group of animals who allow me to
share their lives..................
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Sue & Denver

lmtoth2 · Posted: Wed May 07, 2008 7:17 pm Post subject:

Sue - I totally cracked up at your post Smile

I am imagine poor sweet Denver going to get some love from your alpha kitty and getting tricked and bopped the head instead...hehehehe
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Leslie M

blueteal · Posted: Wed May 07, 2008 7:25 pm Post subject:

Taryn L · Posted: Wed May 07, 2008 8:23 pm Post subject:

Wow that is really interesting. Animals are truely amazing and the source of endless entertainment. We are lucky to have such great pets. Sometimes I feel like I am in a little petting zoo, but there are few things that make me happier.

Sue, how did you end up with 9 cats? That is a handful.
Denver sounds like a really great dog. I think its neat that he is so protective of them.
The relationships that develop between the different species in our home is interesting. I LOVE cats, and I would some day like to get one more cat and another dog (although I don't think my husband would want it).

Sometimes my pets crack me up with their bickering and my small cats chasing Jaxy (75 lbs) around the house. Laughing

Jacquie777 · Junior Member Joined: 11 Mar 2008 Posts: 40

We have one cat, Midnight (6 years). When we moved to our new house in Dec. he ran off, and we didn't find him till mid-Feb...after Holly had joined our family.

Midnight is strictly an outdoor kitty since I have asthma and terrible allergies (and am SOO fortunate that I am able to tolerate Holly OK! Smile

) He is a fierce, tough cat (neutered male) and would run off all other cats and dogs at our old house. He wasted no time in letting Holly know who was boss. When he came back, she sniffed at him and immediately went into 'play mode' (butt in the air, tail wagging wildly, big goofy smile) and approached him...and got swiped on the nose for her trouble. Sad

She still tries to initiate play once in a while but he won't have any part of it. Holly is pretty intimidated by him-- they came nose to nose once (2" apart!), sniffing, and Midnight made a little 'mew' and Holly jumped 5 feet into the air like a firecracker had gone off! Poor doodle, she wants to play with him so bad...

Still, maybe there is hope! The other day I went out and left Holly in her crate-- when I came back Midnight was snoozing on the floor next to Holly, also asleep. Somehow he got inside and the two of them were sleeping together...very cute.

And just an aside-- we also have a hamster, and the other day Holly discovered him. She was sniffing him through his cage, they were nose to nose, and she made no aggressive overtures at all--she was just curious! She is the sweetest, gentlest little girl. Smile

hmz819 · Posted: Fri May 09, 2008 11:39 am Post subject:

Maya says hamster=LUNCH!!!
_________________
Heather, Morgan, Maya, and Sadie
He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog. You are his life, his love, his leader. He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart. You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion-Unknown