How to socialize my cat with my two dogs?
timetochangemyname asked:
I have beagle and a rat terrier. I have a small white feral cat that I adopted 5 years ago. She is sweet but mostly hides. We got the dogs 2 years ago and she hasn’t reappeared downstairs since. I miss her. I have carried her and held her downstairs and she is freaked out. The dogs are indifferent. When I let the dogs upstairs, they sniff and bow to her in play an go on their way. She holds her ground upstairs on her own with attitude and staring. ( I really don’t think the dogs care that much). How can I get my kitty to enjoy us again?
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I have beagle and a rat terrier. I have a small white feral cat that I adopted 5 years ago. She is sweet but mostly hides. We got the dogs 2 years ago and she hasn’t reappeared downstairs since. I miss her. I have carried her and held her downstairs and she is freaked out. The dogs are indifferent. When I let the dogs upstairs, they sniff and bow to her in play an go on their way. She holds her ground upstairs on her own with attitude and staring. ( I really don’t think the dogs care that much). How can I get my kitty to enjoy us again?
May 4th, 2009 at 3:50 pm
Keep bringing the dogs upstairs to see her. She will eventually realize they are not a threat to her. It will take time, but it must be on her terms. Don’t force her downstairs, it will only make it worse.
May 7th, 2009 at 1:00 pm
After 2 years, I think your kitty is right where she wants to be. It sounds like she is happy in her own territory with her hiding places handy. If she wants to come downstairs she will, but it doesn’t sound like she wants to.
I wouldn’t force the dogs on her. Feral cats don’t have the same socialization skills as regular cats. Just enjoy her upstairs and enjoy your dogs downstairs.