At Ask Me Help Desk you can ask questions in any topic and have them
answered for free by our experts. To ask questions or participate in
answering them you must register for a free account. By registering you
will be able to:
Get free answers from experts in any of our 300+
topics.
I have a dog that seems to like to be the only child. She doesn't like other animals and eats their food possibly in displeasure
This is causing the kitten that is now about a year old to not want to eat out of any of the bowls that the dog takes outside or to the garage to steal the food out of.
I have to feed the kitten by hand. Otherwise, he only eats while we are asleep.
This kitten moved in by himself when he was very small. This problem has presented itself since last week. I'm thinking the dog doesn't like the cat now that he is older. I just found 3 bowls in the garage that the dog has taken.
The kitten moved in about a year ago.
Anyone have any suggestions or experiences to share on how to deal with this problem that is traumatizing the kitten?
1.You could try getting one of the silver metal bowls that are harder to pick up...they have a rubber ring on the bottom.
2.Another solution would be to feed the cat on a window ledge, or higher.
3. pour food out and stand watch...everytime the dog goes for it correct the dog. He may get the hint that cat food equals trouble or may may just get wiser at stealing it.
Someone else may have a better idea check back in.
Hi Dana! Bushg has given you some good suggestions. Not knowing how old your dog is, the easiest thing to do would be to put the food up high enough so that the dog can't get to it but the cat can. If your dog is still young, you may want to start training the dog not to touch any food outside it's own dish. By the way, this isn't about the dog eating another animal's food out of "displeasure", but rather, simply eating something tasty that is within her reach. Bushg has more experience than I have with cats and will correct me if I am wrong, but usually with cats if they get a whiff of a dog's scent on a dish and it isn't a dog they were raised with or comfortable around, a cat will either pee on it, or simply refuse to eat out of the dish. If the dog's scent isn't on it, he very well may be fearful of your dog attacking him for his food if your dog is very much a dominant force in the household, and can easily access the bowl. So, you should wash it carefully prior to putting fresh food in it, put it in a place where he will be able to get to it and be able to relax and eat, without fear of the dog coming up behind him while he is off guard, and occupied with his food.
My Lab/Huskie actually thought she was a cat. She insisted on eating the cats food.
It dawned on me one day cats can jump up so I started feeding my cats on top of a table I had in the furnace room.
Wow Great Advice. I have difficulty finding a place to keep the food because the dog is very large and she can reach everyting in the house. I will have to be creative.
The kitten likes his food fresh and not stale or aged.
You are right, the kitten's dishes have to be clean.
There must be a whole lot of stuff going on when I'm not around. You are right, the kitten has shown fear of eating when the dog is around and I have to leave his over night food near my bedroom door where the kitten hides while he eats.
I'm constantly having to change the place I place the kitten's food because he won't eat any place where the dog has taken his food from.
I have talked to the dog and she understands I don't like it when she takes the kitten's food and that is why she does it when I am not looking. Last week , she started getting up in the middle of the night to steal all the food.
I wish there was another solution to this problem. It really stresses me out.
Is this any way for a cat to live it's life? The only good thing at this point is that the dog is 11 1/2 years old and the cat hopefully will have some peaceful years ahead.
Thanks everyone for making me feel that I am going at this in the right direction.
If you get any other inspirations or ideas, please let me know.
Dana get a bell and put on your dog...at least the kitten will hear her coming...a small bell should be enough.
Dogs can be quite sneaky. I have actually seen them hunker down and crawl toward their intended prey.
You could have a talk with the cat and tell it to be more assertive
I know when nobody is home my dog will do stuff for spite at my leaving her alone.
Diary of a cat
DAY 752 - My captors continue to taunt me with bizarre little dangling objects. They dine lavishly on fresh meat, while I am forced to eat dry cereal. The only thing that keeps me going is the hope of escape, and the mild satisfaction I get from ruining the occasional piece of furniture. Tomorrow I may eat another houseplant.
DAY 761 - Today my attempt to kill my captors by weaving around their feet while they were walking almost succeeded, must try this at the top of the stairs. In an attempt to disgust and repulse these vile oppressors, I once again induced myself to vomit on their favorite chair... must try this on their bed.
DAY 762 - Slept all day so that I could annoy my captors with sleep depriving, incessant pleas for food at ungodly hours of the night.
DAY 765 - Decapitated a mouse and brought them the headless body, in attempt to make them aware of what I am capable of, and to try to strike fear into their hearts. They only cooed and condescended about what a good little cat I was... Hmmm. Not working according to plan ...
DAY 768 - I am finally aware of how sadistic they are. For no good reason I was chosen for the water torture. This time however it included a burning foamy chemical called "shampoo." What sick minds could invent such a liquid. My only consolation is the piece of thumb still stuck between my teeth.
DAY 771 - There was some sort of gathering of their accomplices. I was placed in solitary throughout the event. However, I could hear the noise and smell the foul odor of the glass tubes they call "beer." More importantly I overheard that my confinement was due to MY power of "allergies." Must learn what this is and how to use it to my advantage.
DAY 774 - I am convinced the other captives are flunkies and maybe snitches. The dog is routinely released and seems more than happy to return. He is obviously a half-wit. The Bird on the other hand has got to be an informant. He has mastered their frightful tongue. (something akin to mole speak) and speaks with them regularly. I am certain he reports my every move. Due to his current placement in the metal room his safety is assured. But I can wait, it is only a matter of time...
DAY 183 OF MY CAPTIVITY
My captors continue to taunt me with bizarre little dangling objects. They dine lavishly on fresh meat, while I am forced to eat dry cereal. The only thing that keeps me going is the hope of escape, and the mild satisfaction I get from ruining the occasional piece of furniture.
Tomorrow I may eat another house plant.
Today my attempt to kill my captors by weaving around their feet while they were walking, almost succeeded; must try this at the top of the stairs next time. In an attempt to disgust and repulse them, I again induced myself to vomit on their favorite chair. (Note-to-self: I think I'll try urinating under their bed, too. Wonder how long it'll take them to find it?)
Decapitated a mouse and brought them the headless body, to make them aware of what I am capable of, and to try to strike fear into their hearts. They only cooed and condescended about what a good little cat I was. Not working according to plan. There was some sort of gathering of their accomplices. I was placed in solitary confinement throughout the event. However, I could hear the noise and smell the food.
More importantly I overheard that my confinement was due to MY power of "allergeez." Must learn what this is and how to use it to my advantage. I am convinced the other captives are flunkies and may be snitches. The dogs are routinely released and seem more than happy to return. They must obviously be half-wits.
The bird, on the other hand, appears to have become an informant, and speaks with them regularly. I am certain he reports my every move. Due to his current placement in the metal room, his safety is preserved. But I can wait; it's only a matter of time...
DAY 185 OF MY CAPTIVITY
It is now my 185th day in captivity. My captors have completely eliminated my canned food and replaced it with dry kibble, claiming that it is better for my health. The wet food was the only thing I looked forward too, and now even that has been taken from me. I have discovered, however, that the dry food serves to create sharper points on my teeth, and keeps them stronger. I must force myself to consume it, regardless of the taste.
Each morning, they read pages of what is called a newspaper. I found that it is particularly annoying to my captors if I lie on it while they read. Shredding the newspaper is also a particular peeve of theirs, and I have taken delight in doing this before they awake each morning.
My captors have now obtained a "fish tank" - which serves to make up for part of my loss in the food department. While the little creatures are tiny, they are quite tasty. They have yet to replace the two small fish that I have consumed. I must think of a way to make them notice the loss.
The bird continues to mock me. Its little metal room has proven stronger than originally anticipated...
DAY 201 OF MY CAPTIVITY
I'm unsure of my ability to survive as a captive and have made several attempts to break out. At first, it was simple enough to circle my captors feet, in a surreptitious manner, as they opened the front door. I would then bolt from them through the door to freedom. But, to no avail - they caught me in a manner of minutes - my legs are not as fast as they used to be and I grow weak with continued imprisonment. What is worse is that since the first attempt, I have now found myself separated from the living room. My captors are much more intelligent than originally anticipated...
For entertainment, I have taken to terrorizing the dogs by sitting on the kitchen table and swiping at them with my long nails. The dogs are obvious half-wits. They know very little about my skills as a hunter, and are forbidden by my captors to attack me. The dogs grow more irritated each day.
I know that my dog gets upset when I leave and she has an old habit of going through the house to eat whatever she can get a hold off, but now she is doing this even when I'm home and while I am asleep.
Fortunatley, the cat has access to the doggie door and he spends most of his time outdoors.
As soon as I read your replies, I emptied the top of a book case and put the dry food there. I hope the dog doesn't learn to fly up there to get it.
The big question is: WHY DOESN'T THE KITTEN USE HIS CLAWS ON MY DOG MORE OFTEN?
DO I NEED TO TELL THE KITTEN TO USE HIS CLAWS ON MY DOG?
GREAT SUGGESTION TO GET A BELL FOR MY DOG. I WILL FIND ONE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE
Also want to add that from now on my dog will wear a collar. I found her collar that she never wears and it has three old licenses on it that will serve as a bell. Thanks for this great idea.
NoHelp4u
Can you give me a bit more help in communicating with the kitten.
I took him in my arms and took him over to the dog and told the kitten to show the dog some teeth. The kitten shows no emotion at all. The dog did. I'm not sure I know how to get through to the cat.
This cat seems to not have any will to challenge the dog.
Could it be that the cat is too traumatized to challenge the dog?
Linear Mode
