[ChihuahuaMomma]

My boyfriend and I are moving in together, and he has a cat. I have a dog. They are beginning to play fight but sometimes the cat hurts the dog. How do I stop this? The cat is a 15 pound Maine coon (we think), and the dog is a 6 pound chihuahua.

[tickle]

They will eventually work it out amicably. I have never had a cat and dog in my household that didn't get along together. If you think your dog is being hurt, then you will have to separate them in different rooms. I would go along with giving the cat a reprimand once in a while.

[starbuck8]

CM, there was an episode of the dog whisperer on yesterday. There was a dog and cat that didn't get along. Cesar treated the cat the same way he would another dog, and made the cat part of the pack, with the people as the pack leaders of course. What seemed to help the most, was walking them together. Now I know it sounds pretty weird, but they bought an enclosed cat stroller, and attached the dogs leash to it, and they all walked together. It made the cat feel like part of the pack, and the dog and cat were like best buddies after that. Now you might get some pretty strange looks in Vancouver but hey, I guess it's worth a try so the cat doesn't beat up your little girl. If you happen to try it, take pics please, LOL!

I've never had a cat and dog at the same time, so that's about all I can think of, since I just saw it and it seemed to work great! Maybe someone else has been in the same situation, and can help you out more. BTW, that's one big cat! ;)

[rex123]

As an owner of both a cat and a dog, I'm telling you rigght now that its easiest to try and train a dog then a cat. Cats don't understand the concept of boundaries. OUr cat jumps up on our couch a lot all though she's not aloud, she eats out of our dogs dish and she started eating some of our artificial tree. Now I suggest you watch the dog around her and see who really is starting the fights, and if it is the cat then just call your dog away from the cat, if it is the dog then give him a correction. I wish I could tell you how to discipline a cat... I've heard some people suggest a spray bottle, or even a loud noise to distract it. UNfortunately my dog is scared to death of the spray bottle(everytime he sees it he runs under my bed), so I can't use that on my cat.

[Alty]

It's always easier to socialize two animals when they're young, but it's not impossible to get two animals ,that usually don't get along in nature, to get along in your home.

Patience, training, understanding, and lots of love.

Just take it slow, let them get used to each other, make sure you let the cat know that attacking your dog is not acceptable.

I've had cats and dogs together, all it took was a bit of time and patience and before I knew it they were grooming each other, sleeping together on the doggie bed and eating eachothers food (that's a bad idea by the way ;)).

[tickle]

My cat Pickle still sleeps on the dog (big dog) actually on her side when Taffy is sleeping on the floor. And yes,they do groom each other. Pickle cleans the dogs eyes and whiskers.

As far as Pickle (the cat) is concerned, there is no other person/animal in the house excep the dog.

They are a treat to watch though, especially when they decide to 'play'. The cat ambushes the dog from around the corner and latches on to her neck, of course, Taffy is so big she doesn't even notice the cat is hanging off her.