Adopted a yorkie and I'm concerned that he will injure my cats - Page 3 - YorkieTalk.com Forums

TeriLiftandRun · 04-23-2012, 08:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by navillusc

I worry more for the Yorkie eyes and noses than the kitties.

My kitties can jump pretty well and have really sharp claws...especially the oldest kitties...but they get along well, at least until Brody decides to 'correct' the kitty behavior or defense against them sitting on my lap. lol However, the entire time he is 'menacing' at them...lol, his entire body language is happy and playful indicating he is not serious about hurting them...it's apparently a game he likes to play. I'm not as fond of it, tho...lol...especially at 3 am. The kitties know it too and are only willing to run so far from him...then they turn and square off...that's when I snatch his little furry body up for some Mommy and me 'play rough' time and we errr at each other and play 'gingerbread man'. lol Mia just licks their faces until they're near drowning and either they put their arms around her neck and 'body slam' her to the ground and start licking her or I rescue them with a pick up. lol Both Yorkies were over a year old when I got them...Mia had been around cats before...Brody had not. Both Brody and Mia are smaller than most of the kitties.

Yorkies are fiesty...but their body language will give you a clue about their intent.

You can search for canine body language...lots of examples on the web.

Take care!

Thank-you. Harley is my first dog so I need to learn what is playful vs. serious. I should have mentioned that he is over 14 lbs, and so is bigger then both cats and a lot more muscle-y. I'm going to be patient and if they have to stay spearated then so be it. I love all my pets.

yavenay · 04-23-2012, 08:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by madyson007

In my experience it's usually the cat that comes out the victor...if your yorkie plays rough the cat will give him a good swipe and then Yorkie will think twice about being rough. I in general they will co-exist nicely, it just may take awhile.

Ditto that's what Zoey did to Brandi and now Brandi pretty much leaves the cat alone except when she is being a tattletale by letting me know when Zoey is doing something she's not supposed to be doing.

navillusc · 04-23-2012, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TeriLiftandRun

Thank-you. Harley is my first dog so I need to learn what is playful vs. serious. I should have mentioned that he is over 14 lbs, and so is bigger then both cats and a lot more muscle-y. I'm going to be patient and if they have to stay spearated then so be it. I love all my pets.

You are welcome...good luck! Let us know how it's working out...k?

celstu1 · 04-23-2012, 12:33 PM

I think they are curious about anything that moves essentially. I brought a kitten home last year, it was a tiny little thing, I loved it. But sadly my husband was allergic very badly to it and we couldn't keep it.

My yorkies who never saw a cat in their life were very curious. At first we kept the kitten crated and let them sniff the crate, it would hiss at them and quickly my Dexter lost interest when he couldn't get it and my Fletcher laid in front of the crate and stared at it, every time it hissed at him, he would stand up and stare into the crate with his ears up and whine. After a day or 2 we let the kitten out. Whenever the dogs went near it it would climb up high and swipe and hiss at them. After about 5 days, things went back to normal. The kitten was cool with the dogs, the dogs stopped freaking out every time it moved. It just takes time. I was shocked my boys did so good after only 5 days. I just pet the kitten and the dogs and let them all know they were part of the family. Give them all attention when they are all looking. As long as you are the pack leader and you say the cats & the dog are ok, then they seem to be ok with each other. I know this is not always the case, but it does work.

TeriLiftandRun · 05-01-2012, 09:57 AM

Harley is so cute by the way, just rolled over on his back in his crate watching me type this. He just hops right in there when he wants to take a nap, love!

So, I kept the pets seperated, switched the rooms, let them smell under the door, etc. all the stuff you are supposed to do. After a couple of days of that my main cat (Spooky) got tired of not having the run of the house. I let him in, supervised, and there was a lot of barking and sniffing but now they can ignore each other peacefully. My little girl cat is more timid, but she comes in too (from the garage or bedroom, I keep the pets inside) and stays out of reach and I think it will be fine.

When we see cats outside on our walks I use it as a chance to remind him to be calm around the kitties and it is working, he gives a little sniff to the air and keeps on going.

At first Harley was all over the place all the time, but I think he needed to get used to his new home and us. Now he takes frequent naps, we go on three or four walks a day and he was even good with getting a bath. Thursday he's going to the vet to be fixed, I hope all goes well with that.

Thank-you for the helpful replies.

CouversMom · 05-01-2012, 10:05 AM

It sounds like things are going great! It's great that you are taking him on lots of walks and are getting him fixed. Keep us updated on his progress

GeorgiesMomma · 05-01-2012, 10:57 AM

Glad everything is working out

Patti · 05-01-2012, 11:55 AM

Great to hear it is working out.

Jilleen · 05-01-2012, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bondai

It's normal, it's just the way the forum is set up....I don't know why. Personally having owned cats in the past I would be more worried about the dog.

I have three cats and I agree....the cats we take care of themselves!! Addy and the cats run and play and if Addys gets to ruff... the cats will put her in her place.

gracielove · 05-01-2012, 11:51 PM

Oh, yes. Once the cats get over the initial shock of a canine intruder in their home they learn how to avoid the dog or find ways to torment them. My cat that grew up with Gracie will lay on the floor and just dare Gracie to come and wrestle with her. It turns into quite a match. The other two cats just ignore Gracie for the most part.

Glad to hear things are starting to get back to normal. Cats have the advantage in that they can get to the high ground very easily if they decide they don't want to play.

04-23-2012, 12:33 PM	#34
celstu1 Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 10,534	I think they are curious about anything that moves essentially. I brought a kitten home last year, it was a tiny little thing, I loved it. But sadly my husband was allergic very badly to it and we couldn't keep it. My yorkies who never saw a cat in their life were very curious. At first we kept the kitten crated and let them sniff the crate, it would hiss at them and quickly my Dexter lost interest when he couldn't get it and my Fletcher laid in front of the crate and stared at it, every time it hissed at him, he would stand up and stare into the crate with his ears up and whine. After a day or 2 we let the kitten out. Whenever the dogs went near it it would climb up high and swipe and hiss at them. After about 5 days, things went back to normal. The kitten was cool with the dogs, the dogs stopped freaking out every time it moved. It just takes time. I was shocked my boys did so good after only 5 days. I just pet the kitten and the dogs and let them all know they were part of the family. Give them all attention when they are all looking. As long as you are the pack leader and you say the cats & the dog are ok, then they seem to be ok with each other. I know this is not always the case, but it does work. __________________ “Petting, scratching, and cuddling a dog could be as soothing to the mind and heart as deep meditation and almost as good for the soul as prayer.” ― Dean Koontz

05-01-2012, 09:57 AM	#35
TeriLiftandRun Yorkie Talker Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: usa Posts: 17	They are okay! Harley is so cute by the way, just rolled over on his back in his crate watching me type this. He just hops right in there when he wants to take a nap, love! So, I kept the pets seperated, switched the rooms, let them smell under the door, etc. all the stuff you are supposed to do. After a couple of days of that my main cat (Spooky) got tired of not having the run of the house. I let him in, supervised, and there was a lot of barking and sniffing but now they can ignore each other peacefully. My little girl cat is more timid, but she comes in too (from the garage or bedroom, I keep the pets inside) and stays out of reach and I think it will be fine. When we see cats outside on our walks I use it as a chance to remind him to be calm around the kitties and it is working, he gives a little sniff to the air and keeps on going. At first Harley was all over the place all the time, but I think he needed to get used to his new home and us. Now he takes frequent naps, we go on three or four walks a day and he was even good with getting a bath. Thursday he's going to the vet to be fixed, I hope all goes well with that. Thank-you for the helpful replies. Last edited by TeriLiftandRun; 05-01-2012 at 10:00 AM. Reason: clarity

05-01-2012, 10:05 AM	#36
CouversMom and Khloe Mae's too! Donating Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Eastern Washington Posts: 14,732	It sounds like things are going great! It's great that you are taking him on lots of walks and are getting him fixed. Keep us updated on his progress __________________ Michelle- mommy to Couver and Khloe Mae! http://yorkiehavenrescue.com/

05-01-2012, 10:57 AM	#37
GeorgiesMomma I love TBCG! Donating Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: MD Posts: 7,227	Glad everything is working out __________________ Morgan Mommy toGeorgie boy & Isaiah RIP sweet Coco 10/12/99-8/1/12 Read About Georgie's Experience with Atlantoaxial Instability (AAI) Here!

05-01-2012, 11:55 AM	#38
Patti Donating YT 30K Club Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Illinois Posts: 35,509 Blog Entries: 6	Great to hear it is working out. __________________ Cali Pixie Roxie : RIP Nikki; RIP Maya;RIP my sweet Dixie girl 1/17/08 http://callipuppyscastle.bravehost.com/index.html

05-01-2012, 11:51 PM	#40
gracielove YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: NY Posts: 6,582	Oh, yes. Once the cats get over the initial shock of a canine intruder in their home they learn how to avoid the dog or find ways to torment them. My cat that grew up with Gracie will lay on the floor and just dare Gracie to come and wrestle with her. It turns into quite a match. The other two cats just ignore Gracie for the most part. Glad to hear things are starting to get back to normal. Cats have the advantage in that they can get to the high ground very easily if they decide they don't want to play.