Dog and Cat dilemma

[Chocaholic]

Will keep the background brief.

My mom passed away recently and left my 90 year old dad with their prized possession, a 12 year old 12 lb Havanese dog that is as meek and gentle as an animal can be. Teddy is my dads only full time companion and he loves that dog.

But, he is having a hard time taking care of Teddy. He is moving in with my niece in August. She just bought a house and is excited about having him. Here’s the dilemma. She has a 16 year old 20 lb cat that she believes would tear Teddy apart. She loves the cat and would welcome Teddy if she weren’t sure her cat would be aggressive.

I’ve offered to take Teddy but I live 800 miles away and can’t bear to separate him from dad. Is it possible to manage this kind of introduction between two old animals? Should we consult/hire a trainer? Or just give up and take Teddy from dad. Once the cat dies (he’s 16, but healthy) I would bring Teddy back....but dad would be heartbroken in the mean time. And honestly, not sure how much time dad has left.

He recently lost his wife of 64 years. He needs Teddy emotionally. Appreciate suggestions or similar experiences.

[Zeke]

Why do you think the cat would even bother with Teddy? Sure, the cat is going to be jealous or upset about another animal but not all cats react violently to that sore of change.

Only one way to find out, but I'd certainly go for it.

[Seahawk]

Originally Posted by Zeke

Only one way to find out, but I'd certainly go for it.

100% agreement.

The only thing cats really hate are other cats they don't know.

Dogs are toys.

We just lost our cat of nearly 17 years: I rescued her and her brother after they were abandoned. She was a beast.

Many dogs over the years, all she did was make sure they knew who ran the program.

Give it a try, adjust from there.

[john70t]

One way of an introduction is to bring the dog in on a lease, have him sit in a central area for a while, and let the cat approach him and check the dog out. Nice and relaxed setting. Sit on the floor with coffee and music. No distractions or loud noises. Give them both favorite treats while doing that. If they can concentrate on the treats more then each other, they will be fine together.

[Scott Douglas]

Animals are usually better at figuring out the pecking order than humans.

[Bigtoe32067]

I don’t have anY advice but it’d be sad to think of your dad losing his companion because of a mean cat. Hopefully it’ll work out positively.
Let us know how it goes please
Tony

[Chocaholic]

It’s my niece who is apprehensive to try...and it’s her cat and house. Dad is nervous about it too since she insist the cat will attack. Will work on her.

[Bill Douglas]

With cats, and maybe cats and dogs, it's who's there first is the boss.

So in theory there shouldn't be any problems and dog will be automatically submissive and cat won't feel he needs to teach him a lesson as he is already the boss.

I think it's great niece looking after your dad and his dawg.

[rattlsnak]

I have a friend who has had two cats for over 10 years and they just brought a puppy home the other day. When they were introduced, the cats never even got up from their positions on the floor until the puppy playfully ran over to them with his tail wagging.. Puppy was too young and too naive to know any better/different I suppose but they seem to get along fine.

[stomachmonkey]

I think you are way overthinking this.

Have had cats and dogs my whole life,

Regardless of introduction circumstances they always seem
to sort it out

[Bill Douglas]

My cats and dogs adore eachother.

[Tobra]

Little old dog like that is going to be pretty chill. I would be surprised if it did not turn out fine. You want a perch where the cat is comfortable and cannot be molested by the dog.

It may never come up. Might not be a bad idea to provide a kennel for the dog too, so he has a safe space too.

Oh yeah, if uncle and niece are stressing over it, the dog and cat are going to be thinking, "WTF is up with my human?" Yes, the animals will notice, especially if they have been together a long time.

[Noah930]

Introduce them and see what happens. Maybe much ado about nothing. Dogs and cats have enough self-awareness to distinguish between dogs and cats. And a cat that won't tolerate another cat may not even bat an eye at a dog.

[Baz]

Is Teddy crate trained? Does he already have his own crate? If so, you now have a way of isolating him from your sister's cat that will protect each from each other, should there be any friction.

This helps if you intend to experiment with seeing if they can cohabitate.

I don't feel anyone can predict how that would turn out. If you are willing to try - it will be a process....and keeping them apart from each other would be an important option for you until you can let them feel each other out.

The only other option would be for you to work with your father to help him realize taking Teddy with you is the only way to ensure his and the cat's safety. On that basis......whether or not he accepts it - internally he would at least understand (hopefully) this is in everyone's best interest.

[dad911]

Kudos to your niece. My father-in-law moved in with us in January, and we moved my mother out of an active adult community, into my sister's house in march due to covid. Both were previously living on their own, and both are in far worse condition than any of us thought. My father-in-law is a challenge, but our mom needs 24 hour care, and we don't know what to do.

[Chocaholic]

This is a very hard fact of life. Will manage the dog scenario one way or another. Appreciate the guidance. Ultimately it will be my neice’s decision.

End of life can be such a cruel time. COVID multiplies the cruelty.

[vash]

Your Niece is an angel!

I bet the animals don’t kill each other.

[RSBob]

We have a four year old cat which had the place to herself. She is usually nice but gets physical when she doesn’t get her way. Enter, Harlee, a 65 lb labradoodle into her kingdom. Within two days she had walked Harlee across the nose twice and established the pecking order. She gets extremely jealous and interjects herself if Harlee is getting attention but doesn’t wack him as often.

The animals will get along with time. I would recommend keeping the dog in a crate so the cat can check out the dog and get used to the presence and smell. If the cat openly attacks the crated dog, it will have to live with you. Good luck

[RSBob]

The dynamic duo