i am hoping to get a newfie after christmas, but i have four cats....do you think they will get on?

HI Catwoman,

If it is a puppy and you start to socialise him early enough I don't think you should have a problem

Other more experienced people on the board who know newfies may be able to give you more advice

Good luck with your new dog :)

Theresa

my newfie is fine with cats but she grew up with them and that does make a difference. Are the cats used to dogs ?
Ted

I just keep imagining these 4 cats plotting all night against the puir unsuspecting puppy and tying him up in knots all day long by messing up the household to make it look as if he went mad during the day :rolleyes: :D :D :D
:Cool:

Yes Toodles, that is EXACTLY what my cats do - the number of times we've watched them - trying to get the dogs into trouble - i.e. stealing something and then depositing the "evidence" in one of the dog's beds!!

Didn't someone say once that "Cats are Evil"? :D :D :D ;)

Hi
I have newfies and 1 cat, if the cat does not run away they are fine, but if the cat runs, the youger newfies run after her, the older Newfies ignore her.
I think it depends on the Newfie, not all newfies are the same, after all a newfie is still a dog, and some dogs chase cats!!

When you introduce your newfie to your cat one of two things should happen:

1)your cat will stand it's ground by making itself appear as large as possible (e.g. hair rising on back, standing as tall as possible, etc.) It may hiss and make cat growls as well. Don't be alarmed as this is only normal.

2) Your cat may run and climb the highest object out of sheer fright.

Either response is completely normal and is no cause for concern. Whatever you do, NEVER chastise the cat for showing any aggresive tendencies towards the newfie. Remember, the newfie has entered the cat's territory and its only natural to feel protective for your cat. If you chastise the cat then all you will be doing is making things worse by taking the "stranger's" side.

Eventually, you will notice your cat getting gradually closer and closer to the newfie. If you don't interfere, they should be getting along just fine within a week. Just remember, DON'T interfere unless the cat is trying to tear the newfie to shreds.

I'm not an expert with cats but i do happen to own 4 strays that picked me as their owner after i fed them one day. They consider my house their territory and when i brought home my puppy one day they felt so threatened. I let them sort it out themselves and after a few swats the puppy didn't go near the cat unless the cat came to him. They usually get the point and stay clear and learn to respect the current pet(s) in the household. After about 3 days, they were rolling around together playing and nipping and having a great time! But then again, this particular cat has the best temperament i've ever seen in any cats. It's extremely affectionate towards all people and most animals (that is unless it wants to eat them). Furthermore, my cat was an adolescent at about 8 months of age. However, I am confident enough to advise you to not interfere in the natural order of things. Let them sort out their differences. 99% of the time they work something out by themselves. If you interfere you usually make things worse, especially if you yell or chastise the cat.

In your cat's eyes, your yelling at it for trying to protect you and secure the territory. You'd feel pretty betrayed too, wouldn't you?

You may want attend to the cat before you attend to the newfie as well. Feed the cat first, give him milk and not the newfie, etc. This will communicate to your cat that nothing has changed and if anything the presence of the newfie has enhanced is quality of life.

I'm sure other more qualified people for this question will give you other helpful suggestions as well.

Let me know how it goes! Good luck!

Rob