Worried for the Cat

[mercedes]

Just recently, Mercedes has been attacking the cat and biting him hard. I tell her "NO" and give her a time out. She never did this before, they actually used to play. Why does she do this now?

[lblax]

them dang cats they are tastey!!!!!!!!

[moondog]

She's doing it because she hasn't learned an alternate activity to satisfy her need to burn all that energy. A time out does not accomplish that, so it isn't surprising that she hasn't learned to leave the cat alone and her play is getting rougher. You need to pay attention to what's she's doing and when she goes for the cat, redirect her to something she CAN attack and bite, like a stuffed toy. Praise her for attacking the toy instead of punishing her for attacking the cat and she's more likely to learn what it is you want from her. :)

[lblax]

to be serious ive found when you bring a pup into a home with an establishe adult cat ..... when the cat has had enough the cat will end it but in the mean time kepp after him not to chase

[Wrath]

I'm sure it's a fun game for Sadie...she bites the cat, and the cat shoots up, makes a racket, and dashes off. I would be more worried about when the cat has finally had enough of this game and decides to correct the puppy by biting or slashing. Best to get a reign on her and teach her to leave the cat alone before it gets to that point.

[mercedes]

Well, the cat is declawed and he is a big baby, so I highly doubt he will bite her, but anything is possible. The cat won't even come upstairs now, so I think he gave up. I don't want it to be like this. I have tried holding Mercedes and petting her and the cat and telling her good when she is nice to him. If I am standing right next to her, she will be nice to the cat, but the minute I move away, she jumps on top of him and bites his ears. So, I really don't know how to resolve this. The cat is getting to be afraid of the dog now, so I have a feeling that even if Mercedes is nice to him, he will be afraid of her still.

[moondog]

You need to pay attention to what's she's doing and when she goes for the cat, redirect her to something she CAN attack and bite, like a stuffed toy.

She doesn't want to be soothed into a relationship with the cat, she wants to pounce, rip, shred and tear just like any other normal puppy. If you would just give her something she is allowed to do this with and be consistent about it, she will learn to leave the cat alone.

[Rott-Wiley]

Yeah, I agree with moondog here. Give her something she can hunt down, pounce on, and shake up. I'm sure you won't be able to find anything as good as a live cat that is already there but Mercedes is only going to get bigger and much stronger and the situation isn't going to get better unless you step in and put some controls on her. My girl has an extremely high prey drive and my wife has 4 cats in the house (they all have their claws) and the dog just had to learn we all live here and she isn't allowed to pounce on the cats or chase them. She'll still try from time to time but she knows she'll get yelled at and God knows what's coming after that???

[Gdoane]

I just moved my cat into the garage :) She is an out-door cat anyway, plus my garage is empty except for beer fridge and is heated. I consider it a big house for the cat!

[sparklemom]

I just moved my cat into the garage She is an out-door cat anyway, plus my garage is empty except for beer fridge and is heated. I consider it a big house for the cat!

I hope you don't park there! or if you do, make sure you check everytime you leave for sleeping kitty on the engine or tires.

[Gdoane]

My vehicles do not fit in the garage. I left the window open once drove off. suddenly meow while jumping on my lap. Almost had heart attack! Kitty and I almost died.

One of my girls hates kitty. She is alot bigger than the cat. I tried to give kitty a new home but could not find anyone. Seperation was the only solution.