My dog is terrified

I rescued a pregnant cat from animal control and she had her kittens a week later. She is secured in my spare bedroom but is dying to get out and the last time I went to go in the room she squeezed out and chased my dog. My dog is a mellow little guy and wasn't sure what was going on because for the first week she really liked him. Obviously she is just protecting her babies but I was yelling (yes, I admit I overreacted but I wasn't sure if she was going to hurt him) Now, since it happened yesterday, he is acting like a nervous wreck when he is inside. Immediately after it happened he went to the front door and sat there but even today he hid under the bed for a while and seems apprehensive even to come back in the house when he goes outside. Does anyone have any suggestions as to how I can build up his confidence again? I feel terrible as he is such a sweet guy and I spent so much time ensuring he was socialized (and he is great with people, dogs and cats) and I don't want this to be a permanent setback.

Hi Charma,

Thank you for taking on another cat....and pregnant at that.

Your dog will recover. He is just let's say 'once bitten'. Once you slowly intergrate them back together everything will work out. In the meantime, when he does this take his favourite toy and get his mind to focus on play mode and not depressed or shy mode.

Best to you.

Good advice Benmax! Distract your dog with a toy and play! And I know its hard not to get excited, but the best thing is to keep your voice calm. Good luck and thanks for rescuing!:thumbs up

Thanks for both your advice. I have been trying to distract him but he seems to be distracted for a minute and then off he goes to hide again. It's good to hear that it will probably just take some time as the last thing I would want is for him to be scarred for life ha ha. I will continue to try and distract him with his toys :) I'm going to post a separate thread in the cat section with the hopes of getting some suggestions as to how/when I should try and begin the introduction process once the kittens get a bit older. Thanks!

I would keep your cat and kittens separate from your dog. Cat chased him as she was "protecting her kittens" even tho he wasn't threatening. This is a natural reaction with a mother cat with new born kittens. She will continue to chase the dog until the kittens are weaned and doing well on their own, likely when they're 6-8 weeks. Are you planning on keeping the cat and kittens? If so, it may be very difficult for the dog to adjust as he will feel he's overwhelmed. If the finding another home for mom and her kittens, it would be better for the dog, or if you just keep one kitten, who should have a quiet, laid back personality, not the alpha "litter boss".

Thanks Catlover2! I'm happy to report that my dog seems to have recovered :) I have been very careful not to accidentally let the cat out again but have been giving her the chance to roam the house when the dog is either outside or in the safety of my bedroom. I will not be keeping the cat or her kittens - they will be adopted out once the kittens are old enough and the Mom has been spayed. I foster them and as hard as it is to give them up, it allows me to continue to foster. There have been many kittens that have bonded with my dog hence the reason this threw him off so much ha ha

lol well you have a wary doggie which = smart when it comes to kitties


glad to hear he is ok

yes this is a problem. I am fostering a mother now, and a litter of babies that I was fostering just left. I have a lab that loves cats and was surprised when this one attacked her. It is normal for a cat that loves dogs to go nuts to protect her babies.

I would keep them seperate. If they get near eachother again the cat will attack the dog again and make it worse. keep reasuring your dog and hopefully soon he will see everything is safe.

did you adopt the cat? or are you fostering her? what happens with the babies? are you responsible for finding them homes? Are they requiring you to get her spayed soon? just curious.. take care, good luck little puppy!!

I am not keeping the cat or kittens - I am hoping to find them a good home (after she gets spayed of course!!) The rescue organization assists me with that and two of the kittens are already spoken for. My dog seems to have recovered but I probably will continue to keep her seperate for a while. I will probably try again once the kittens are gone as chances are I will have her for a while after that by the time she recovers from her surgery and we find her a good home. Thanks for your advice!

And thanks for being a good foster mom!:thumbs up You're an angel :angel2: