Danes and cats

I have been considering rescuing a kitten/cat from one of our many over crowded shelters. I was wondering how many of you have a cat as well as your Dane and if I should even consider it? I wouldn't want to adopt a cat if it would be a traumatic experience for him/her. Thor is 6 months old and he always wants to play with all animals. I have to be careful with him at the dog park b/c sometimes he accidentally steps on smaller dogs.

Just looking for honest opinions.

The cats I have been looking at are from $75.00 - $100.00 which includes spay/neuter, microchipping, feline leukemia testing and something else.

[ouesi]

Cats do a pretty good job of taking care of themselves in a doggie household - especially if they have claws
That said, some dogs don't "do" cats. I wonder if the shelter would let you bring Thor over and test him out with the cat in a controlled environment?

[Danewillow]

We have two Danes and 3 cats. One Dane ignores the cats, the other will chase if they run. Two of our cats don't mind the dogs and walk around among them. The other one has adapted. He hangs out in "his" room (the laundry room) and comes out when the coast is clear. He's been getting braver the older he gets and ventures out when the dogs are snoozing. Look for a cat that isn't real timid. When you're at the shelter you're going to want to look for the cat that hangs out at the front of the cage wanting to get pet. They're the ones who have adapted to the shelter environment more quickly and will be more likely to adapt to your home and pets.

[ewinston]

All of my dogs love cats. They have always been raised around them. I had my cat before the dogs and the first four years of his life he lived by himself. He did great adjusting to all the dogs. He can hold his own with them. They know when he does not want to be bothered. My mother has a new dane puppy that she takes everywhere and she went to a friends house that had two kittens and the puppy desperately wanted to play but the cats were just not having it...lol Anyway our dogs love cats!!!!

[JoyceR]

We brought our oldest Dane home to a 3 year old cat. She was not having it. She has since decided living outside is a much better idea.

We got our second Dane in March. I don't think she knows the older cat exists? We had agreed to a second cat before we agreed to the second Dane. I still wanted the kitten. He came to us about 4 weeks later.

Our oldest Dane was hyper focused on the kitten for a few days. I think he was expecting the same kind of treatment we got from the older cat. We introduced them slowly. The puppy (12 wks old) just accepted the kitten. I think the young Dane learned, "leave it" and "drop it" faster because those were her constant commands. Both Danes learned "gentle."

The kitten knows where to hide and get under things if the Danes get to rambunctious with him. He, also, has no qualms about walking up to either dog and swatting their lips or tails. I've seen the kitten jump up and sink both back and front paws into the underneath jaws of our big boy. He just looked at me like "Mom! What do I do?"
The only times the dogs really chase the kitten is when it runs. But it runs faster and hides quick so I don't usually worry.

[mistified247]

We had our cat first. So, Roxy came into the house with the cat already there. She does chase the cat but, she is playing. Maggie (cat) just stops in her tracks & hisses at Roxy. Then she will just run off & hide somewhere. We have blocked the stairs off so Roxy can't go up there and Maggie usually resides up there most of the time. I agree with the other post and would if at all possible take Thor and "try" out the situation first.

[bigpup]

We had four cats when we brought Ailill home, and he is great with three of them. The three that will stand their ground and let him know when he is being too rough! Our other cat is a very small, almost deformed rescue we got, and she just seems really afraid of him. It's been nine months now, and she will still run from him, so we have to watch him with her. But he's not aggressive, he just wants to play.

[Bev_K]

I had one adult Dane when we adopted a one-year old shelter kitty. My main requirement in a cat was that they were OK with dogs. Didn't want a kitten as I figured an adult cat that wasn't as energetic as a kitten would be less exciting for the dog.

I knew I found the right cat when the foster mom described one of his short comings as not knowing fear of big dogs. LOL

The first few days, the dog was super interested in the cat. She did get bopped in the nose a few times with the kitty claws. After that, the dog's interest died down and they cohabited peacefully.

Then, the puppy came along. She thinks the kitty is her personal toy. The cat is way too tolerant of her, so I have to step in if the dog is getting carried away.

Our cat loves our dogs, even the bratty puppy. The cat will clean their faces and starfish on their necks.

Bev

[french dane lover]

I don't see any problem with bringing a cat in a dog household. The advice you got are excellent. The cats and dogs always have some sort of arrangements, from avoidance to best friends. It's up to them to decide witch one they will have under your supervision of course! I just brought an 8 weeks old puppy to my house, witch is actually not mine but my two 9 years old siameses house!

Joséphine the female had fronted Optimus first hand, telling him to stay away from her and that he must make is way around her since she will not change her habits or move for a slobbering pup. Napoléon on the other hand have decided that living on top of the appliances is the best option! He sneak out at night for is business, that's all. And Optimus just don't care of the cats, Joséphine have made it clear enough! Gotta love those siameses...

[shortstack]

I have a cat with my danes, and my parents have 2 cats and one dane. They all get along great, dont worry they will soon learn boundries and figure out alpha etc.

Our newest addition didn't have any cats at the previous house, and we've slowly introduced them. The cat lets him walk right up to her, they'll go nose to nose and be fine. Some days the chase is on. The Danes are 17mos & 5 and the cat is 13mos. I know she instigates it sometimes, I've witnessed her walking up to the younger one and swatting him on the nose while he's sleeping and then books it!! So sometimes its hard to hard to them trouble lol The other thing we did was put all her stuff in the bathroom or laundry room, as in make the cat its own space. That way they can be away and by themselves when they want to, and socialize as they please (if they do!)

We introduced the kitten into the house with 2 5month old puppies and we did this by using a hard case kitty carrier. It gave her protection because she was soooo little. But with a larger cat it would give both the protection (cat and dog).

most shelters/spca temperment test so you should be able to get a cat that is atleast semi good with canines If its young, the Dane might even 'mother' it.

Its so different between an independent cat and needy dane!

[luvmyson]

Hubby wants to adopt a Kitten/Cat from our local Pound possibly after we see where were at with our dane, probably when both our dogs are older.
We always had a cat with larger dogs with no problems, as long as they have claws & a place to hide 99% of the time they are fine. Of course if things get crazy then you do need to step in.

[ouesi]

dont worry they will soon learn boundries and figure out alpha etc.

This reminds me of our old cat Bob
We took in a lab for training as a favor (we are NOT proffessionals, but can handle potty training and house manners).
Anyway, lab was in the middle of major NILIF, and had a rare free moment laying on the kitchen floor. Bob walks in, sees the lab and gives him a HARD look and holds it. The lab stares back, then slowly turned his head, got up and walked out of the kitchen head hung in defeat. Totally cracked me up.
Moral of the story? Cats speak Dog too, some quite well

[seachainanmadra]

I would definately recommend a kitten. I've had several cats, some raised around dogs and some not. The ones that were raised around dogs have been very dog friendly, and learn quickly not to run so that the dogs won't chase them. The ones that weren't exposed to dogs tend try to claw the dogs and will make sudden movements that encourage the dogs to chase them.

We have a cat that we adopted at between 8 and 12 weeks. It took a week or two to adjust to the dogs, but now he prefers their company over ours. He initiates play constantly with Stavro - there's even a video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6hlWPUKK7EY

[marinewife05]

I would definately recommend a kitten. I've had several cats, some raised around dogs and some not. The ones that were raised around dogs have been very dog friendly, and learn quickly not to run so that the dogs won't chase them. The ones that weren't exposed to dogs tend try to claw the dogs and will make sudden movements that encourage the dogs to chase them.

We have a cat that we adopted at between 8 and 12 weeks. It took a week or two to adjust to the dogs, but now he prefers their company over ours. He initiates play constantly with Stavro - there's even a video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6hlWPUKK7EY

Thanks I had already decided I wanted a baby or young kitten. I am hoping to be able to "mold" him or her sort of speak to accept dogs and kids. I really liked the video, too cute.

[lene1949]

Ben has played accidentally with both a rat and a bird without hurting either of them... I wouldn't hesitate to introduce him to a kitten, but now I have the little puppy, Missy... She's no bigger than a cat...