When Sparty met Beano!
Sue shares her own experience of introducing a rescue dog into a multi-cat household.
“Introducing a large Newfoundland X Labrador, who was also a rescue dog with no cat credentials, was quite challenging. But it is also testament to the adaptability of pets that they accepted each other after a relatively short while. I am also lucky enough to have seen a truly affectionate bond established between our dog and one of our cats.
“Our first dog was introduced to cats as a puppy, was born into a cat household, and therefore raised with cats. This was the ideal scenario and led to a problem-free co-existence.
“However, we took the major step of introducing a new, large, adult, rescue dog (Spartacus) into our multi-pet household (we have three rescue cats) with some initially alarming results. Despite the regulatory shelter ‘cat check’, which simply monitored his response to a cat emerging quickly from a cat basket and taking off fast in the other direction, Spartacus was desperately interested in our cats when he first came home.
“He does not have an aggressive nature, but he did want to chase them. Our three cats were initially very intimidated by his size and when he went anywhere near them fur flew in all directions.
“We enlisted the support of a pet behaviourist, but her suggestion that we hold the cats while Spartacus inspected them didn’t go down well with me because I felt that would be unfair on the cats and would be a breach of their trust.
“So, instead, I would crate him in the kitchen, while the cats ate in the same area. I also kept him on his lead when we were all together in the living room.
Outside was a little more tricky but eventually our female cat would follow him around and gradually, over time, they all became used to each other.
“What I wasn’t expecting was for true love to be established between Spartacus and Beano, our large black and white male cat.
“They cuddle up together on the sofa and more surprising than this is that Beano presents himself to Spartacus to be washed, meowing and nuzzling Sparty’s cheeks until he complies. Once Spartacus begins, he will wash the demanding feline for several minutes until one of them decides they have had enough.
“Beano always initiates this action and loves the resulting rough washing, purring constantly throughout the entire procedure.”
I asked Rosie Bescoby what this means. She said: “In cats, grooming each other is a form of bonding and scent transfer which they bestow upon members of their community. “Dogs lick things instinctively and your house cat just happens to be the current target of your canine’s tongue. Licking is almost always a positive thing, so do not stress when your dog licks your cat. “Licking or grooming can also be a form of submission. A dog will lick other members of his pack that he views as being superior, so Spartacus may feel he should do Beano’s bidding.” Thankfully, our cats and dog are now totally bonded although Spartacus is still a little wary of Paddy the tabby cat, who has been known to swipe at him if he gets too close!