Yes, I have experienced this. I rescued a 7 month old puppy last summer. I have five indoor cats, and none were afraid of him and he, them. He likes to play with them and they let him till he gets too playful. Then they hiss , bat him and he retreats only to come back for more. In general they like each other. However my daughter has two housecats and one retreated immediately when I brought the dog in their house. The other Sid, a large brown tabby who is a love, had a stare down with the dog. Dog was intimidated. One day Sid leaped off the table while the dog was sitting on a chair and bit him. Sid is declawed. The dog freaked. Things were still tense over there because the dog has a good memory. Last week we all went to the basement to look at a project leaving the dog in the kitchen. Sid appeared and chased the dog who was squealing like a little girl. The dog weighs about 22 pounds and is stocky and not afraid of ANY dog he meets. Now he is traumatized and when we go over there we sit outside w/ him because he refuses to step foot in their house where Sid sits at their door waiting to pounce. DD was thinking of getting a dog, but now is afraid to.

lily, thank you for your prompt response. My dogs weigh over 100 lbs each. Both dogs are very socialized, and get on fine with other animals both cats and dogs. The new cat weighs all of 7lbs, however, he sees himself as though he is just as big as they are. He shows no fear of the dogs whatsoever other than the aggression. When he sees the dogs he puffs himself up and growls.

I am trying to find a way to blend Miles into the family without any significant incident involving an injury. I know I will get responses from posters to rehome Miles. So before that is posted, please note that it is not an option that we would exercise.

In our family we believe that once you get a pet, that is a commitment to the pet for the life of the pet. Sort of like a marriage, for better or worse if you know what I mean.

Sadly, my dogs have lost access to my office, DH office and basically the entire one end of the downstairs until this gets sorted out. The dogs hide in the mudroom where they are put when they come into the house if its been raining. if they aren't there, they go up to my bedroom and lounge on the bed. Seems like once they see Miles is inside, they duck for cover.

I am hoping someone will have an idea of how to desensitize the cat in order that he will not head straight for the dogs on sight. I am getting very tired of jumping over gates strategically placed for harmony's sake!

Again, thanks for your reply. I look any suggestions save rehoming Miles.

Hi workinprogress,

I am sorry you are going through this. This
is going to be a challenge but Miles can and will
learn to feel safe in his new home. Your dogs should
also be allowed to feel safe too. They are probably
spooked by the changes. They sound wonderful, peaceful
and laid back large dogs. Sweet.

My guess is that Miles believes the dogs are the same
species. His aggressive behavior is probably fear
based. Do you know his history?
Was he tortured by dogs, chased, hunted, pesterd?
Cats act aggressively out of fear. If a cat feels the need
to protect itself, it will go on the defensive in
order to ward off the perceived threat.

Perhaps Miles lived with mostly other dogs and learned
the Pack mentality. This is hard for a cat to learn
and especially hard to change.

Miles sees the dogs as a threat or a potential threat.
He feels an automatic response to control and take a
dominate position. Miles needs to learn that when he
sees the dogs that the new response will be safety, love,
happiness, comfort, security...

A animal behaviorist might be helpful. But until then
you need to get through the day. You may need to put Miles
on a leash or harness. He will hate this but he will
learn that he is safe. And you can protect the other
animals around him.

Cats are predatory animals. It is easy to forget this
with the domestic breed because we see them as pets
and vulnerable. But the are truly hunters and defenders.
Miles has had to defend himself and his reaction is that
of a cat who was hurt badly by dogs. Or had to learn
his place among dogs.

There are some homeopathy or natural kinds of treatments
but I would ask the vet. Sometimes a short term use of
Prescribed (Dare I say it Valium) or other medications
can help relax your cat so he learns that
his new home is safe. He discovers his new dog brothers
and sisters are safe caring companions who he can always
feel safe with. An old fashioned remedy my grandma
used to do to her more aggressive cats. (These cats were
just wild toward the older cats) was to put a bell
on them. Everyone always knew where little Leroy
was. They older cats and old dog could hear him
before he leaped.

I think you are a truly honorable person for caring
so much for Miles that he has found his forever home.
Don't give up. It will be a long road but you can
do this.

A fellow amimal friend,
~boxerpups

some links that might be helpful

http://www.thecattherapist.com/behavior_problems/aggressive_cat.htm

http://www.catchannel.com/behavior/dogcat/article_2261.aspx

http://www.animalhealthchannel.com/felineaggression/index.shtml

http://www.hsus.org/pets/pet_care/our_pets_for_life_program/cat_behavior_tip_sheets/aggression_between_family_cats.html

boxerpups - your points are very good ones. I have no idea of what Miles faced prior to our homing him, but he does exhibit "pack" behavior. It has now been almost a month and with patience and the assistance of water spray bottles, the dogs can lie on the floor and Miles will walk by without charging at them. We can all sleep in the bedroom at night now - big accomplishment!

So thank you for your insight and I am looking forward to Miles and the dogs having a progressively more harmonious existence. Taking it day by day, but we love Miles to pieces and will make it work one way or another!

You are a wonderful person to take Miles
and keep him. Comfort and help him be a cat
again. He is learning he is loved by his family
(dogs siblings too).
Bless you for being so good to miles.
He is lucky to have you.