How do I get my yorkie and cats to get along?

[VickiG]

Originally Posted by hha

I'm not a cat person, but, all I can say, is that if your cats are in the house, and they're not declawed, you need to get them declawed..they can scratch out dogs eyes..if they are declawed, then sooner or later, they will most likely begin to accept eachother

Maybe you should have your fingers cut off too. Declawing a cat is very painful and mean. My cat is not declawed and she and Peanut get along great. She has nevered tried to scratch his eyes out.

[VickiG]

I just have to tell you all as I and typing and reading this post my fully clawed cat is watch and playing with the mouse on the screen. And quess what no scratch marks.

[Raja's Mom]

Originally Posted by MyFairLacy

Well of course it CAN happen, but a declawed cat could scratch a puppy with its back claws or bite its eye as well... A lot of things CAN happen but you shouldn't be advising to just declaw all cats because a puppy is brought into a home. Also cats can scratch each others eyes as well you know. And declawing will not at all guarantee that they will become friends. In fact, the cat might feel more defenseless and be more hostile to the dog because of being declawed

I know a Bichon that lost one of its eyes because a lab's tail was wagging and hit it, damaging it badly. So does that mean we should amputate all dog's tails?

I know of a few dogs that have scratched their OWN eyes. Anything can happen, and there are better ways to avoid accidents. There's a lovely thing called "soft claws" - they're little caps that go over each claw the same way "fake nails" are glued on. It's so easy you can do it at home, that way the cat can't scratch anything will the blunt plastic tips and it doesn't suffer all the negative effects of de-clawing.

[BubblPopElectrc]

Originally Posted by Raja's Mom

I know of a few dogs that have scratched their OWN eyes. Anything can happen, and there are better ways to avoid accidents. There's a lovely thing called "soft claws" - they're little caps that go over each claw the same way "fake nails" are glued on. It's so easy you can do it at home, that way the cat can't scratch anything will the blunt plastic tips and it doesn't suffer all the negative effects of de-clawing.

That's a good suggestion.

A bonus is they come in different colors. I saw some orange and black ones for Halloween.

[MyFairLacy]

Originally Posted by Raja's Mom

I know of a few dogs that have scratched their OWN eyes. Anything can happen, and there are better ways to avoid accidents. There's a lovely thing called "soft claws" - they're little caps that go over each claw the same way "fake nails" are glued on. It's so easy you can do it at home, that way the cat can't scratch anything will the blunt plastic tips and it doesn't suffer all the negative effects of de-clawing.

I've never tried soft claws but heard they don't stay on well. I just keep my cat's nails trimmed once a week so they stay very short...no problems so far and since they are short, they aren't really sharp. I think the best thing you can do is keep the claws clipped short on a regular basis

[Raja's Mom]

Originally Posted by BubblPopElectrc

That's a good suggestion.

A bonus is they come in different colors. I saw some orange and black ones for Halloween.

Pink ones too! How fabulous would that make your kitty feel?!

On a side note, not all cats are violent demons that want to scratch eyes out. My cats have never used their claws on anything by my couch (LOL) and they're really laid back. If a dog starts getting on their nerves they simply move to higher ground where the pup can't get to them.

OP: It's good news that the puppy is learning his place. Pups just want to play, play, and then play some more so it will take a while for the cats to adjust. Patience is key for everyone involved. They will work it out amongst themselves & if you're worried about anyone getting hurt (dog or cat) just supervise them... you're probably already watching the pup 24/7 anyway for potty training

[MikaTallulah]

I have always had cats and dogs together. Currently I have Lucky (9 yr. golden retriever), Cozy (18 mo. yorkie), Mika (9yr. Maine Coon), and Tallulah (7yr. maine coon/rescue). Lucky is a push over with everything smaller than him. Cozy will slept next to Lucky or Mika at night. Mika perfers to just slept next to others not play with others. Tallulah adores Lucky she sees him a coos like a pigeon. She is Cozy primary indoor playmate that chase each other. Cozy will bark a Tallulah and she will either run or playfully kick at her. No claws used. My cats and dogs have always gotten along. When ever a new member came into the house they were protected. I find baby gates work the best because then the cat and dog can see each other and met through the gate without the ability to chase. Then the cat can jump the gate if they want to met the puppy/dog and then escape if they wish. My cats have always gotten used to the dogs quickly and vise versa.

[EmrldShdwQueen]

Originally Posted by MyFairLacy

I've never tried soft claws but heard they don't stay on well. I just keep my cat's nails trimmed once a week so they stay very short...no problems so far and since they are short, they aren't really sharp. I think the best thing you can do is keep the claws clipped short on a regular basis

They don't, they're awful...at least on mine. They're so active that they end up knocking or chewing them off within an hour. I started trimming their nails weekly when they were kittens, so they got used to me handling their paws. It's really not too difficult...the best thing to remember is to do it as fast you possibly can...lol

[hha]

I have had one of my fingers cut off...and it burned, but, it doesn't bother me anymore..and I never said it would happen, I'm saying it could, this lady in the forum probably thought it would never happen either, and since it has, she spoke to her vet, he told her it wasn't like it used to be when they declawed cats..I know if they're outside, they have to have their claws to protect themselves..we had a dog when I was growing up that also had his one eye put out by a cat, do, you not think it would be painful for a dog if it cost him his eye? I never meant to start any problems on this subject, I worry about these little dogs and what could happen to them..and vicki, that was pretty cruel to have said what you said, especially when I did lose a finger, BUT, I survived that

[VickiG]

Originally Posted by hha

I have had one of my fingers cut off...and it burned, but, it doesn't bother me anymore..and I never said it would happen, I'm saying it could, this lady in the forum probably thought it would never happen either, and since it has, she spoke to her vet, he told her it wasn't like it used to be when they declawed cats..I know if they're outside, they have to have their claws to protect themselves..we had a dog when I was growing up that also had his one eye put out by a cat, do, you not think it would be painful for a dog if it cost him his eye? I never meant to start any problems on this subject, I worry about these little dogs and what could happen to them..and vicki, that was pretty cruel to have said what you said, especially when I did lose a finger, BUT, I survived that

Declawing a cat means removing the first knuckle on each toe, thats what I call cruel. You lose one finger think of the cats that are going to lose all ten if people are not educated. Over sixteen years ago I had my cat declawed I thought only the nail was removed and a lot of people still think that too. Up until the day my cat died I told her I was sorry for doing that to her and would NEVER do it to another cat. We added a new kitten this year and she has and will keep all of your toes. My cat has always been very gentle with Peanut and they get along great.

[MyFairLacy]

Originally Posted by hha

I have had one of my fingers cut off...and it burned, but, it doesn't bother me anymore..and I never said it would happen, I'm saying it could, this lady in the forum probably thought it would never happen either, and since it has, she spoke to her vet, he told her it wasn't like it used to be when they declawed cats..I know if they're outside, they have to have their claws to protect themselves..we had a dog when I was growing up that also had his one eye put out by a cat, do, you not think it would be painful for a dog if it cost him his eye? I never meant to start any problems on this subject, I worry about these little dogs and what could happen to them..and vicki, that was pretty cruel to have said what you said, especially when I did lose a finger, BUT, I survived that

Do you know how RARELY a dog loses its eye from a cat scratching it? You act like it happens all the time and it doesn't. You don't even have cats (as you said you aren't a cat person) so you obviously don't know much about them so I think you should hold your "advise" since you haven't had any first-hand experience with the behavior of cats and dogs. And losing an eye wouldn't cost a dog it's life..and eye yes...but not its life. And a dog could lose an eye because of a LOT of things...there is just not a big risk like you say that a cat will scratch a dog's eye. I just can't believe you continue to suggest declawing all cats because the could possibly scratch the dog's eye...especially after so many of us that actually DO own cats say that our undeclawed cats and dogs get along just fine

[hha]

http://www.geocities.com/declawing/

[VickiG]

Originally Posted by MyFairLacy

Do you know how RARELY a dog loses its eye from a cat scratching it? You act like it happens all the time and it doesn't. You don't even have cats (as you said you aren't a cat person) so you obviously don't know much about them so I think you should hold your "advise" since you haven't had any first-hand experience with the behavior of cats and dogs. And losing an eye wouldn't cost a dog it's life..and eye yes...but not its life. And a dog could lose an eye because of a LOT of things...there is just not a big risk like you say that a cat will scratch a dog's eye. I just can't believe you continue to suggest declawing all cats because the could possibly scratch the dog's eye...especially after so many of us that actually DO own cats say that our undeclawed cats and dogs get along just fine

Thank you thank you. I agree with you 110%. So does my sweet Sparrow.

[hha]

As far as owning a cat, yes, I have owned a cat, 1!!! I don't hate cats, I don't like seeing people being mean to cats..I've had a lot of bad experiences with them..It doesn't matter to me at all, if you have your cats declawed or not..but, as far as saying a dog can live with one eye, yes this is very true, and a cat can live without its claws..

[MyFairLacy]

Originally Posted by hha

As far as owning a cat, yes, I have owned a cat, 1!!! I don't hate cats, I don't like seeing people being mean to cats..I've had a lot of bad experiences with them..It doesn't matter to me at all, if you have your cats declawed or not..but, as far as saying a dog can live with one eye, yes this is very true, and a cat can live without its claws..

But why declaw a cat just because there is a chance it could hurt a dog's eye? Dogs have been known to bite cats (I had a cat killed by a chow as a child - grabbed the cat and shook it, breaking its back)...so should we detooth all dogs because they could possibly bite and maybe even kill a cat?