Dog/Cat Issues

[BabaGhannooj]

So as you all know we just got a dog. We also have 4 cats. Cat #1 is doing really well. Cat #2 is getting better--he's not hiding as much and is walking around the house--came out for dinner (canned food) today. Cat #3 has never lived with a dog. She isn't really 'hiding', but she's staying in higher places, and isn't coming out for dinner.

The real problem is Cat #4. She has lived with big dogs before she came to live with us. She likes to be by herself, and spends all day on her cushion on the bedroom dresser. The first day Bajor was home, she didn't care. The second day he chased her a few steps, and I think it messed her up. She isn't coming out for dinner anymore, and dinner is her absolute FAVORITE. So I've been bringing her dinner to her. Today she pooped on her cushion. She has to have time to adjust to Bajor. She has to learn he's okay. So I put a litterbox in the bedroom. My thinking is she can go to the bathroom anywhere, but she HAS to leave the bedroom to eat, and she loves to eat. So she'll have a 'safe' place to go to the bathroom and won't ruin our bedroom, and I know she won't starve herself so she'll have to come out.

Is this a good plan for now? I don't know what else to do at the moment.

[Peas'nHominy]

I'm no expert, but it sounds good to me. Maybe keep an eye out that she really is eating, though. If it turns out that she still won't come out to eat, maybe that means she's honestly too scared (or ticked), in which case bringing her food to her (for a while) might be an act on your part that says to her "I still love you and care about you and care about your feelings". :smallheart: You could even, slowly, bring the food bowl closer to the door, then slightly out the door, down the hall, etc., at a pace that you notice she can handle. :crossfingers:

Maybe give her some extra attention for a while, while she's adjusting to the new family member? Maybe that might reassure her? Maybe play with some string with her, give her catnip toys -- a little play therapy? :catw/b:

My mom has two little dogs. One of them, Boo, will poo in inappropriate places, on purpose, when she's not happy about something. I don't know if it's a cry for attention or just a well-I'll-show-you-by-acting-out attitude. :rolleyes:

I would think remember you're the mommy and so you must keep firm boundaries, but balance it out with some love and sensitivity. It sounds like that is exactly what you're doing! :agree:

[Bowwowmeow]

Hi Baba. It takes most animals at least two weeks to understand that their lives have changed when they do. For Bajor, and most other dogs, potty training in their own homes does not translate to being potty trained at other people's! I know from sad experience, having boarded several dogs in my own home who, though perfectly trained in their own homes, went wherever they pleased in mine. Even those who had been trained to go to the door and scratch at it, would not do this at my house. So it is normal to expect to re-train a dog. He doesn't know yet that he is in his new home, and he won't for a while, and since he probably was not potty trained in more than one home, he will need your help.

My oldest cat, who had been rescued from an abusive home, took a year to adjust to living with the dogs I had at the time I adopted her. I hope yours does not take this long! Do everything she needs, just as you are doing. She needs a kitty box where she feels safe, and she may need her food where she feels safe too. She will make "statements" to you about what she is upset about by pooping outside her box, so moving her litter where she wants it to be is a great idea.

I am sure things will smooth out soon. I have 4 cats and two dogs, all added to the family at different times, and at different ages, and they really do love each other, and live in harmony most of the time.

[BabaGhannooj]

I decided to just put everything in the bedroom for her. If she wants to live in there, then she can live in there. I'm just happy she's peeing in the litterbox. She has a history of getting cystitis from stress, so at least I know she's still okay.

I try to take Bajor out as much as I can (walks, to the store, in the back yard) so the cats can go around the house without being scared.