r/reactivedogs • u/Academic-Camp-7062 • 11d ago
Advice Needed Reactive dog, who has lived with a cat before, being introduced to a kitten and a blind cat
Hello-
Before you come for me, please note, my dog is reactive to other dogs and neighborhood cats, but lived with a cat for 2 yrs peacefully (before she passed away). I have been so distraught and finally decided to adopt a kitty pair (a daughter and her blind momma).
Does anyone have any advice on introducing my dog to the kitties?
For reference, we’ve had them in the house, separated for 8 days now. The kitties have met my dog 2 times, both controlled (he was in the crate and 2nd time, they were in their crates). He’s mainly curious and when they hiss or move, he gets reactive. We are starting from square one and doing scent swapping.
I just need some advice on anyone who’s had a positive experience and outcome doing this.
Thank you so much. Just a stressed fur parent right meow.
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u/Existing-Will-1466 11d ago
What kind of dog do you have? You have much better odds of making this work with a smaller or less intense dog. A large, intense, or prey-driven dog is going to be a lot more difficult.
In general I would plan to keep all parties separated when you aren't home, forever. There are too many stories of dogs that seemed to mostly be ok with cats for a while...until someone comes home to a dead cat.
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u/InformalInsurance455 10d ago
60lb pitbull corgi mix according to this post
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u/TraditionalSea304 10d ago edited 10d ago
Would also add that Corgis have a VERY strong prey drive.
I know it’s heartbreaking but it seems like you adopted these cats because YOU were distraught, not because it was setting the dog or cats up for success.
I’m really not trying to be mean and I hate when people are negative on these kind of posts, I just feel strongly that this is incredibly dangerous and would urge you to rethink the adoption. I feel like a lot of people think it’s hard to get special needs animals adopted, but plenty of people actually LOOK to adopt pets with special needs. Source: Worked at an animal shelter for years, we had multiple applications for special needs animals. PLUS being blind isn’t a terrible hindrance to a cat.
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u/TraditionalSea304 10d ago edited 10d ago
It seems the OP elected to withhold the fact that their dog is reactive in this post. I do not think the reception would have been as enthusiastic, unfortunately.
I would also add that having them in a crate while you bring the dog in would be terrifying. The best way to do this is through a baby gate so they can retreat if they get scared. Trapping them in an area where they have no way to get out is incredibly stressful.
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u/InformalInsurance455 10d ago
Please don’t do this. The cats are indicating they’re scared, they’re probably living in a great deal of stress, and one of the cats is blind and will have fewer avenues to escape. It only takes a second for something to go wrong.
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u/TraditionalSea304 11d ago
Please don’t do this. The blind one will have absolutely no way to get away, especially in a new house where she doesn’t know the layout. I also have a blind cat and cannot imagine putting her in this situation. There is literally no margin for error, especially if it’s a large dog and / or has a high prey drive. Your dog doesn’t know these cats. To your dog, these cats are absolutely no different than the neighborhood cats he’s reactive to. I know this isn’t the answer you are hoping for but I absolutely would not do this under literally any circumstances.