Expert: Dear Tabbi - 8/3/2008

Question
Hi, I've had my cat (rescued as an abandoned kitten) for 8 years and he lived happily with my Siberian Husky during that time (they pretty much grew up together).  The cat was never a lap cat, but since my husky has been gone, he had started getting onto my lap.  Then I made the mistake of saying yes to giving a home to a 2 year old husky/labrador X that was going to be sent to the pound.  I now know that the night I brought the dog home I did every possible thing wrong.  My cat was in the house waiting for me to get home as usual.  When I pulled into the garage (attached to the house and so the door opens straight into the house), someone was knocking at my front door (distraction), the phone was ringing (added distraction) and my husband wasn't yet home from work to help me manage the big excitable dog on a lead that had leapt out of the back of the car and run straight into the house.  What happened?  The cat took one look at the dog and bolted for the top of the kitchen cupboards.  He stayed up there all night and wouldn't eat anything from the food bowl I put up there for him.  Next mistake we made was to let the dog wander around and check out his new environment instead of locking him outside and bolting the cat flap.  As a result, once the dog settled down for the night, the cat made his escape and hasn't been seen since. I figured he'd come back once he got hungry, but he's been gone for 4 days now and though I call and call, there's no sign of him.  My husband things that as he was a stray kitten, he'll probably stay away and become feral.  He was always secure around us, but ran and hid under the lounge if strangers ever came to the house or there was any noise outside.  He's always been a good mouser, so I don't think it's likely he'll starve, but I really want him to come home.  I know I've done everything wrong (too much on my mind at the time and it all happened so quickly) but I wondered whether you think it's likely my cat will come back at all now that he's been gone this long.  Is there anything I can do apart from keep the dog out of the yard (so he doesn't chase the cat if he does reappear), leave some food out at night and keep calling.

Answer
Melissa,

As long as you keep the dog (the cat can smell it), along with the traumatic first experience the cat had, you may not see the cat again. Your first priority should be your cat. At 8 years old (your cat is 48 years old in human years) your cat would not take the stress of a new dog as well as a younger cat would. It could cause behavior problems, and possibly heath problems, as a result of that stress.

There is a correct introduction process to follow when introducing a cat and dog. Cats are territorial and need to be introduced to other animals VERY slowly in order to give them time to get used to each other before there is a face-to-face confrontation. Slow introductions help prevent fearful and aggressive problems from developing. And yes, I'm sorry to say, you did do everything incorrectly. PLUS the fact that unless the cat and husky grew up together as yours did, the Siberian Husky is at the top of the DOGS NOT TO GET WITH CATS! Don't EVER let the dog rush toward the cat, even if only in play.

It is closing the barn door after the horse has escaped but here are some instructions for introducing a new dog to a cat:

Confinement
If you are introducing your new dog to a resident cat(s), confine your cats to one medium-sized room with litter box, food, water and a bed. Feed your resident pets and the newcomer on each side of the door to this room. This will help all of them to associate something enjoyable (eating!) with each other's smells. Don't put the food so close to the door that the animals are too upset by each other's presence to eat. Gradually move the dishes closer to the door until your pets can eat calmly, directly on either side of the door. Next, use two doorstops to prop open the door just enough to allow the animals to see each other, and repeat the whole process.

Swap Scents
Switch sleeping blankets or beds between your new dog and your resident animals so they have a chance to become accustomed to each other's scent. Rub a towel on one animal and put it underneath the food dish of another animal. You should do this with each animal in the house.

Switch Living Areas
Give your new dog free time in the cat's room(s) while confining your other animals. This switch provides another way for the animals to experience each other's scents without a face-to-face meeting. It also allows the newcomer to become familiar with his/her new surroundings without being frightened by the other animals.

Avoid Fearful And Aggressive Meetings
Avoid any interactions between your pets that result in either fearful or aggressive behavior. If these responses are allowed to become a habit, they can be difficult to change. It's better to introduce your pets to each other so gradually that neither animal becomes afraid or aggressive. You can expect mild forms of these behaviors, but don't give them the opportunity to intensify. If either animal becomes fearful or aggressive, separate them, and start over with the introduction process in a series of very small, gradual steps, as outlined above. Provide your cat(s) with a variety of escape routes and high hiding places that are easily accessable at all times. Your cats must be able to get away from the dog whenever necessary.

Slowly allow the dog and cat(s) spend more time together, but always supervise them until you are absolutely sure there is no threat of danger to either of them. No matter how quickly or badly you the cat and dog to get along, you have to allow these things to process at their own speed which, in some cases could be months."

I sincerely hope you do find the cat. I know how heartbreaking it is to lose one, especially if you don't know where, or how, it is. But more than likely the cat is nearby but won't come near the house because of the dog.

Tabbi