My Gingham and Calico Dilemma

[billfl]

I have a bit of a problem. OK, it's not a problem yet, but it's looming at the horizon. I can tell.

There's this cat that's been roaming our neighborhood for about a year or so. It's black and white and basically just walks around, doing cat-type things. Here he is.

Comments

[ultra_lilac]

Keep the cat in one room for a week or so. Swap the dog's and cat's bedding over every day until they get used to each others scent before they meet.
Bring the cat out in a carrier and leave it in the room where the dog is (supervised!) give the dog super-best-thing-ever treats to distract it/ reward it for ignoring the cat. Stop if either animal gets stressed.
Do this a few times until the dog is more interested in forthcoming treats than cat and cat is calm.

Have the dog on a leash when you let the cat out and keep treating the dog to keep it off the cat.
The dog will hopefully learn that the cat being around = good things.
Don't leave them unsupervised together until you know they can behave.

It may take a month or so and you'll probably have a few scuffles as they decide which gets to be boss, but most dogs will take to cats after a while.
Right now the dog sees the cat as an outsider but if you get it used to seeing the cat as part of the household using the above methods it probably won't be so defensive.

It would be a shame to let the cat die because of the asshole neighbor owners.

Good luck!

[billfl]

This is all good advice (except for the bedding thing - Piper sleeps in the bed, so it's a bit impractical to move that around every day).

If it comes down to it, I promise not to let the cat freeze.

PS Does Mr Poops want a kitty friend?