We have a 7 month old lab and 2 cats (1 is 8yrs the other is 9 months). we have had the dog for just over 2 months but the cats still dont like him, they now live upstairs refusing to come down, although the younger cat comes down every now and then but when she see's the dog she runs off and of course he chases her, he is very gentle and im sure he wont hurt them but we have a baby gate on the stairs to stop him going up to them but is getting to be a nightmare we cant keep it there forever, should i take the gate down during the day as im home and let them get on with it?? Please help me ...

Hi Dawn ..I don't know about Labs , but my Malamute STILL wants to *examine* my 3 cats closely ;) We have had a babygate since he was about 12 weeks old ...he is now nearly 17 months old and we still have it :) It means the cats have a safe place to go where he can't reach them .

We have made progress ...he will SIT! now whilst the cats come downstairs and go out of the front door ...as long as he gets a choccy drop ..but if they come downstairs and we aren't around they just sit on t'other side of the babygate :D

Melody :)

Hi Dawn
we have a 6 month old Staffy who would just LOVE to play with our cat if we let him :)
He will give a little chase as shes passing through but he is told very firmly "NO!!!!" and this usually stops him .
Make sure the cats have somewhere to jump up onto out of the way if they do come down .
I think to be honest I would just let them get on with it ( so long as you are there to keep an eye on them ). I wouldnt leave them in the same room if there was no supervision .
Noodle the cat has now taken to sleeping ontop of the fridge freezer out of the way but she will come and have a sniff of pup when he is asleep and they will both sleep on the sofa next to me .
So although they will probably never be bosum buddies they will tolerate each other .
:)
Lel

Hi

Everyone told me that because I had a Staff (three years at the time) I shouldnt get cats. Well I did, kittens way to cute to leave in a shop. Dex my staffie was always chasing cats but when he got them (my partners cat, dex did clear a six foot fence to get it!!) all he did was lick it from belly to chin!! (The cat was not impressed at all and always makes himself scarce now when we visit) but Dex and our two kittens get on really well. Shortly after we got a Vizsla pup who was no problem to introduce and now plays with the boy cat very well. So long as the introductions are done with you there with all the f's available they will sort themselves out and will probably all run away from each other (well that is what happened to us) Now they all sleep together two dogs and two cats in one bed!!

Good Luck

Liz

Hi Dawn, there is hope!! My 17 year old cat has just begun to accept our 2nd lab who is coming up for 2 now. It even goes as far as them both being on my bed together, albeit at different ends. The cat is definitely the boss. It's really funny to see Honey trying to skirt around her if she is in her way. I think they have mutual admiration.
Give them time, they will learn to respect each other eventually.
Lorna

It took a friends cat 2 years to get use to the idea of their new puppy, and this was a cat use to being with their other dog. Now the young dog defends the cat against all comers!

Best wishes, John