sassy cat

[dextersmom]

We got Dexter about a month after our anatolian mix died very suddenly. Our cat, Sassy, loved the previous dog very much, and they would often chase eachother about the house in play. When we first got Dexter, she would bat him around the head and bite his muzzle after giving him a few licks...even drawing blood at one point. Now, she deliberately taunts him and encourages chase games. The problem is that Dexter, at four months, has developed a mouthy passion for her tail and delights in chasing her. He's completely non-aggressive, and lets her eat all his food before he gets to the bowl. Dexter adores her. However, I,m afraid Sassy might eventually lose her tail if not more one day. My husband and I both work all day, but I'm a teacher and will eventually get a holiday to work more on this behavour. In the meantime, are there any suggestions ... or similar experiences.

[Malakai]

If you guys are not going to be home I would not leave them alone. Even though there is a size similarity now, Dexter is still big enough to do damage to Sassy. I can relate to the cat problems. My 1 1/2 year old Rottie is so crazy that the cats book when they see him. I am not sure I will ever trust them together. We had one of the cats when we got our Rottie, but from day one the cat was pretty afraid of the dog, and our other 8 month old cat hates him. Our rottie seems to really want to play, but he is to rough everytime he gets a hold of the cats. Although one night he corner our Chausie cat and she swiped him as he went in to mouth her. She sliced open his tongue and there was so much blood on the ground. Luckily it wasn't to bad. Owell the cats can stay upstairs while the dog stays down stairs.

amy

[dextersmom]

Thanks ... I was thinking about just putting a baby gate across the stairs. The problem is that Sassy just asks for it and if she were less of a tease I would think she would just stay in her place, but as it is I just don't know if conventional means will be enough. I hope your household eventually calms down...I know that as the animals get past the three year mark they get a little more sedate....Kirsten