Advice needed: Staffy puppy and cat?! Help!!

Emi1002

24/09/2018, 20:51

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Hi everyone,

I’m new here :)

I really need some advice, please. I adopted a Staffy puppy a week ago; he is now about 10 weeks old. I got him from a hobby breeder where he was raised with his mum, his 7 siblings, and the breeder’s cats, chickens and rabbits.

I have a 6-year-old cat called Nami. She’s an absolute sweetheart; you can do anything with her and she never puts a claw out. She’s usually like glue to me but spends a lot of time outside in the summer (in the garden on the ground floor at my parents' place, so she’s used to being down there as well as in the upstairs flat where I live with my partner). We had two Labradors when we first got her, but they sadly passed away from old age, the last one just three months ago.

So, my puppy Harley arrived a week ago. He’s lovely, but he’s a puppy so all he thinks about is playing and nipping at anything that moves. I’m trying to train him bit by bit, but since he arrived, Nami has been avoiding the flat. She’s scared, and as soon as he sees or hears her—even if he’s asleep—he charges over. She just meows to go out or runs away. I haven’t left them alone together yet, obviously; when I'm not around, Harley stays shut in the living room.

I try to do face-to-face introductions as much as possible by stroking them both, holding Harley’s collar gently so he doesn't do anything silly, and I pull him back a bit when I get stressed that something might happen. Nami meows to get away but hasn’t swiped or used her claws yet. The other day she turned her back and he nipped her tail; she let out a little cry and ran off. I don't think he meant to hurt her, he just wanted to play with her tail because it was moving... and yesterday he nipped at her fur. I can't help but hold him back when she's there, I'm just too stressed that he’ll hurt her or that she’ll hurt him. I’m scared and so stressed out. I really hope they get used to each other; I don’t want Harley to think the place is just his now that she isn't coming around as much. I don't want them to fight because he's going to grow up and have a powerful jaw, and she won't. She’s my beautiful girl, I love her more than anything, and seeing her like this makes me feel sick with worry. I just don't know what to do or how to act.

Has anyone else been through this? Do Staffies usually get used to resident cats quickly? Is there a risk he might try to hurt her one day?

Thanks for your help

Translated from French

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Mel1

25/09/2018, 01:22

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I’ve got a similar problem with one of my cats who hardly ever comes home. He only pops in for food, and for a while, he even started going to my parents' place to eat, as they live next door (very similar lol).

At first, my puppy (a Dogue de Bordeaux) was absolutely fine with the cat, but since he hardly sees him now, it's as if he's forgotten that he's actually one of our cats.

This is despite him being used to my other cat and the five "stray" cats that hang around the house.

For the cat that rarely comes in, I'm working on it by taking my dog out on a lead and calling the cat over to see him. If the cat gives him a swipe, that's fine! The dog needs to understand when he’s overstepped the mark (my little Dogue already weighs about 5 and a half stone/77 lbs at 5 months old). However, I don't let the dog react if he's in the wrong; if the cat starts it for no reason, then obviously I tell him off. You have to be fair.

On the other hand, I'm encouraging my cat to stay inside for longer. I don't force him to go near the dog, I just want him to be around so the dog realises he's part of the household.

That's how I do it, and it's working. They aren't exactly best mates, but there are fewer misunderstandings—like the dog chasing the cat because he hadn't realised he was "his" cat. And the cat is coming around a bit more now.

Mind you, I had the opposite problem with my other cat, who is a real softie and never lifts a paw. Because of that, my little Dogue was always pestering him. Even when I tried to stop him, he just didn't get it.

One day, the cat lost patience and gave him a gentle swipe. The dog understood immediately, and now he doesn't bother him anymore.

Animals are great at communicating with each other, so it’s usually best to let them get on with it as much as possible. Of course, if it starts getting dangerous for either of them, you have to step in.

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Emi1002

24/09/2018, 21:38

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I’m not forcing things, but I want them to see each other every now and then so he doesn’t forget her and knows she belongs here. I’m worried he’ll get jealous when she comes around because he’ll think “this is my patch” (since he’s been indoors more often since he arrived, whereas the cat is usually in the garden or outdoors—she never sleeps inside during the summer, only in the winter or if it’s raining). I’m scared he might hurt her by trying to grab her tail or something, thinking he can play with her like one of his toys... 😭 I always end up imagining the worst, it’s making me cry.

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Docline

24/09/2018, 21:32

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No, he won't hurt him if he knows he's the family cat.

It’s best not to force a face-to-face introduction; the cat needs to have a high-up spot where they can keep an eye on the puppy. One day they’ll decide to go and have a closer look, but you’ve got to let them choose the right moment themselves.

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