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Cats/Introduction of Maine Coon to a new dog

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Expert: - 8/27/2008


Question
We have a 6 yr, old  Maine Coon cat.  Lately we  have been discussing  of
getting a small dog.
My husband works from home, thereby there would be "supervision."
I hear all the time Maine Coons get along well with cats and dogs.
what is your opinion, please, about our cat and new dog -  would it be a huge
challenge?

Answer
Lydia,

It's important that you not pigeon hole your cat into a certain mold simply because of his breed. Should you decide to get a dog it's important to ensure that the he/she is gradually introduced to your cat to avoid the possibility of either pet being injured. It's not a bad idea to start by asking a friend with a well behaved and obedient dog to come over for a few visits to see how your cat reacts to the dog. You need to be absolutely confident that the dog in question is unquestioningly obedient and will obey basic commands like "sit", "stay", "leave it" and "down" as these will be the insurance that your cat will not be bitten or accidentally injured by the dog. It's best to test the waters prior to committing to adding a dog into the household. If your cat reacts badly to the dog on every visit then you may want to reconsider adopting a dog.

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Ali

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I am the proud guardian of 5 mixed breed cats ranging from 12 weeks to 13 years old and one purebred ragdoll. I have 20+ years experience working with mixed breed cats from a variety of different situations. I have fostered cats/kittens with special needs/behavioral issues. I have rescued/rehabilitated/re-homed a variety of stray/abused cats. I can offer advice on managing feral cat colonies, rehabilitating strays and finding them forever homes. I can help you to determine whether a cat is stray or feral, there IS a significant difference. Improperly introducing a new cat/kitten can result in aggression between newly introduced cats because cats are territorial by nature and they don't like sudden changes in their environment. To learn more about a peaceful way to introduce a new cat into a home with other cats please check out my previous answers on this subject. Proper nutrition for cats can be confusing, I recommend checking out catinfo.org which was created by a veterinarian (Dr. Lisa Pierson) who takes a common sense approach to explaining feline nutrition. Cat behavior and instincts are different from those of humans, I can help you understand your cat's needs so that you can meet them adequately and have a balanced, psychologically and physically sound kitty. Cats vary in personality, energy level and intelligence, different approaches may be required to achieve results in terms of training and interaction with your feline companion. An intelligent, high energy cat must be kept busy or they will make their own fun. I am NOT a licensed veterinarian and I can't offer medical advice. If your cat is ill/injured my advice is always the same: get prompt medical treatment provided by a veterinarian. If finances are an issue I will try to find resources in your area that can help with medical costs or make other choices to ensure the welfare of your cat.

Experience

I have fostered feral and stray cats, rehabilitated and homed cats that many people recommended euthanasia for. I am willing to make an effort to do the research and ask questions because I care enough to find solutions to behavioral problems rather than giving up. I have an interest in the use of alternative therapies to help provide the best possible care for all cats and I can say in all honesty that I've seen some incredible things happen for some incredible cats and their human caregivers when the right alternative therapeutic modality is used by a qualified veterinarian with expertise and experience in the field.

Education/Credentials
I've earned my diploma as a veterinary assistant with honors.

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