Smoked Pork Chops Braai Recipe | Ina Paarman

Smoked Pork Chops Braai Recipe | Ina Paarman

How to get your dog to accept a new feline family member!

How to get your dog to accept a new feline family  member!

When we received the call that a kitten was in need of a home, my daughter was so excited she couldn’t stop talking for at least ten minutes straight!

The only obstacle was getting past our two other family members, Zeus a Doberman and Luna the Weimaraner.  We all knew Zeus would be a problem, as he has never been friendly with other animals and has demonstrated his dislike many times. Be it the neighbour’s cat, who made the mistake of entering our yard or the time when a lost pet rabbit, hopped into our yard and well…that story didn’t end well either!  In fact I could write a whole blog about Zeus and his animal phobias.

I wanted the little kitty as badly as my daughter and in our home, where there is a will… there is always a way.

So here is my method, perhaps it has been tried before…I don’t know, but it definitely worked like a charm as all my fury family members get along like you will not believe.  And I mean, eating from each other’s food bowls, playing together and even grooming each other, yip, you read right… cat grooms dog, dog grooms cat!

I had purchased a large breed dog crate, which came in very handy during the introduction phase.

The first week, since the kitten was really so tiny, it was rather easy.  At night, I kept Felix behind closed doors with one of my children, everyone got a turn to babysit, and loved having a little bundle of fluff to themselves for the night.  During the day, while the dogs were outside, Felix was allowed to explore the house and get used to his new surroundings, sounds and many smells.  In turn, the dogs knew there was a new creature in the house and they too were getting to know the smell and sound of a kitty – which Zeus was already showing his disapproval!

The second week was a little intimidating and perseverance is the key.  As usual Felix had the run of the house during the day.  By now the dogs were peeping at him through the windows.  I noticed Luna, the Weimaraner, seemed very relaxed, which was an excellent sign.  Zeus would notice the cat and then lap our house a few times… this concerned me terribly and I knew the next phase had to start.  Every evening, we would put Felix safely into the crate and then allow each dog a turn to visit Felix.  On lead, I’d make the dogs wait outside the bedroom, and take them in one at a time.  Luna, was fine, immediately we could see that she had no problem with Felix.  She sniffed and watched on curiously and yes, the cat hissed and growled with all his might.  When Zeus had his turn, the visits were about 5 seconds.  He leapt at the crate, growling the deepest growl and gave a few snarling bite barks at the poor kitten… who didn’t know what hit him.  Luckily, he was very safe in the crate and if anything,  wondered what the hell just came into the room.  That whole week, we all participated in the dog visiting cat ritual, with Zeus still showing no signs of accepting the new member even though his visits were getting longer and longer.

The third week was much harder.  Felix didn’t like being kept in a room during the evenings, no matter who he was with, he was determined to escape.  His little paw would come sliding out from under the bedroom door, pawing and feeling his way to freedom.  Luna was always on the other side, waiting patiently for Felix’s paw to slide out for her to nudge and sniff at.  That’s when I decided to move the dog crate to the living room.  Every evening, before I allowed the dog back into the house, I’d put Felix in the crate. Zeus’s first reaction to this new plan was scary.

Like lightning he charged the crate, tackling it so hard, that it slide across the living room floor.  It happened so quickly not one of us could have stopped him.  Eventually we gained control of the situation and had to keep Zeus in check and on lead often.  It was trying times that’s for sure!

He would growl at the cat, pretend to walk past calmly then suddenly bite the crate.  Eventually, I kept Zeus close to me at all times, talking to him, giving him things to do and of course, reprimanding his eye contact towards the kitty.  He would start staring and get a particular look just before he would charge…that’s when I’d intervene and remind him to stay.  Luna on the other hand was loving the new attention, her and Felix started playing through the crate.  The cat showed no care in the world towards Zeus and only when Zeus sneaked in a bullying scene, would Felix hiss or growl back.  At bed time, Felix was taken back to one of the children’s room and the dogs would settle down.

We continued to do this during the fourth week, and I was even beginning to imagine that this is how it’s going to be for the rest of our lives.  By now Felix was fighting to get into the crate and Luna wanted to sleep in the children’s room, with Felix.  Any chance he could, Felix would dodge his way out the room.  Sprinting as fast as we all know cats can!  I have three children, so when one cat gets away, three screams are heard for Felix’s life.  My job was to make sure Zeus stays wherever he was and the bugger knew what was going on and thankfully, he listened.  Until one evening, Zeus and Luna were settling down for bed, when Felix escaped from the room, except he escaped with such speed he landed up sprinting right to where the dogs sleep.  My husband and I were there and we witnessed the shock on both Zeus and Luna’s face.  Felix bolted into the room, noticed the dogs and gave a “brrrr…” hello meow sort of thing and Zeus just stood there, no reaction, nothing.  Luna greeted the kitten, sniffing Felix inside and out, but Zeus the bully, did absolutely nothing.  Mr Bully was scared of the kitten.  Every time the cat walked towards him, he took a step or two back and sometimes ran away for his life.  I guess when Felix started to chase Zeus and vice versa that’s when they became friends.

After that, I continued to keep an eye on Zeus and kept his direct contact with the kitten short and sweet.  I still never left them alone together but increased their time together as the days moved on.

Eventually, Felix was not using the crate and slept wherever he chose to and everything started to slot into place naturally.  Within three months all our animals were getting along perfectly.

So, it can be done, if I can do it…anyone can do it…if Zeus can accept a cat, well then there is hope for all other animals out there who have to accept a family member.

At this momma’s house, you will get along! J

Isabel Beukes