Kira lives, along with her “sister” Samantha, with their pet parents, Susan and Tony. Kira is a small, beautiful, friendly Manx.

Samantha is larger and gorgeous with long white hair and brown spots. We have taken care of the two of them several times. Their litter is kept in two boxes in an upstairs bathroom. They eat separately downstairs in the kitchen. All had been going well. When Susan called for a booking date in late October she mentioned that Kira had been having “accidents” in the living room, downstairs. She couldn’t understand it because Kira has always been so well behaved.

I suggested she have her vet check Kira to be sure there were no health issues. She came back with a clean bill of health. During the Thanksgiving visits, Kira, indeed, did indeed leave several “gifts” (both urine and excrement) in the living room.

Samantha usually makes herself scarce when we come in to feed them and clean the litter boxes. During these visits, she did not show her beautiful fluffy face, but we did not think too much of it. She usually hides under the bed in the master bedroom. Then, we realized that Samantha had not been coming downstairs to eat. We began taking her food and water upstairs for her.

It occurred to me then that “the girls” were having some kind of spat. I thought that Kira was not going upstairs and Samantha was not coming downstairs. They had gotten along for years, but for some reason seemed to be having a problem now. I mentioned this to Susan and Tony upon their return and suggested they leave a litter box downstairs for Kira for a few days to see if that helped the situation.

When we visited again in late December, Susan reported that placing the extra litter box downstairs seemed to work. Kira had not had any more accidents in the living room. And we saw no signs of wavering during that entire two-week visit.

I checked with Susan to get her permission to write this story and here is how she responded:

“Hi, Andee. I still use it.  They both seem to love it downstairs–especially Kira. I take it out and put it in the entry area of the living room when we go to bed and leave it out in the early am until after they are fed.  Kira will sometimes use it after she eats.  Once she uses it in the am I clean it and put it back in the garage.

She has had 2 “accidents” (only poop not urine) since I started using it in as per your suggestion back in late October.  My house doesn’t work to keep a downstairs one all the time but this is fine with us.

Thanks for the advice and yes write about it as it might help someone else.”

1. Understand the differences in animal priorities. To cats, physical space is all important. To dogs, social order is all important. As long as the dog accepts the cat’s dominance over territory, they typically work out a relationship.
2. Think positively. Act with authority and confidence. What you feel and think translates to your actions, and your animals sense your emotions.
3. Realize that dogs and cats do not communicate the same way and have trouble understanding one another. For example, a dog will lift his paw gesturing that he wants to play, but a raised paw to a cat is a threat.
4. A good-natured, well-trained resident dog often accepts a young cat as a member of the family rather easily. In contrast, introducing an adult cat to a puppy can be hard on the cat. Puppies are rambunctious and full of energy.
5. Keep the dog on leash during introductions. Use a halter for very young dogs. Try to keep the leash loose.
6. Take dogs to puppy obedience and regular obedience school and teach desired behavior using positive reinforcement. Your dog needs to always remember you are the leader.
7. Confining a puppy or dog is necessary at times. It gives the cat time to roam about the house, surveying his territory. If you keep the dog separated with a gate or in an exercise pen, your cat can safely investigate the newcomer.
8. When you leave the house, separate the animals in secure, separated areas. Give each access to water, a bed or other suitable resting place, and some toys. Be sure the cat has access to a litter box. Make sure everyone in your family and any caretakers understand the need to separate the animals.
9. For the cat’s safety, make sure the cat has escape routes to get away from the dog. For example, a cat door leading to another room in the house and ledges on which he can easily jump. Always provide places where each animal can retreat for safety and privacy, a spot that is his or hers alone. A cat can use the top of the refrigerator; a dog can use a crate.

10.  Use a baby gate so they can get to know each other without coming into full contact. Or confine the new pet to a room and allow the animals to sniff each other under the door.  Put up a baby gate at the top of a stairway or in a doorway. (Stack gates one atop another if the dog’s a jumper.) Cut a small hole in the gate, just big enough for the cat to fit through. Things typically improve once the cat learns he has an escape hatch.

11.  Other escape hatches include floor-to-ceiling climbers and installing extra-long hooks and eyes in doors to prop a door open just wide enough for a cat.

12.  Teach the dog the “leave it” command, and use this command when you want the dog to leave the cat alone. Also teach the dog the “down” and “stay” commands so that you can place her in a down-stay in the presence of the cat.

13.  Praise the dog when she doesn’t bark or want to chase resident cats, advises PAW volunteer Ginnie Maurer. Praise and reward the dog for any calm behavior around the cat. Do this consistently, not just once in awhile.

14.  Praise a cat when he’s gentle around the dog. Keep the cat claws clipped short so if they do connect with the dog, the damage will be minimized.

15.  Observe your pets so that you can catch them in the act of being good. Give them ample opportunities to earn praise so that they learn what you deem as acceptable behavior. Reinforcing good behavior is the key to encouraging animals to repeat that behavior instead of engaging in undesired behavior.

16.  Food can be a powerful motivator. You can use food treats to reward a dog for choosing to look at and listen to you in the presence of the cat, instead of chasing the cat.

17.  Keep dog toys nearby. Direct the dog to a toy and away from the cat when the dog gets rambunctious. Make sure cats have access to their own toys too, so they’re less likely to target a dog’s tail as a plaything.

18.  Make sure to give the dog plenty of exercise so that he has less energy to channel into chasing and otherwise pestering the cat.

19.  Let animals sniff each other — that’s how they get acquainted.

20.  Avoid overreacting to hissing, barking or growling. These are common ways for animals to communicate. However, be ready to intervene if hostility mounts.

21.  Do not expect the pets to become buddies right away. Let the animals establish the relationship at their own pace. Realize that some dogs and cats will not become buddies.

22.  A puppy’s innocent behavior can trigger a serious scratching from a wary cat, so as always, it’s important to keep watch.

23.  Prevent the dog from having access to the kitty litter box. Keep the box in a room that’s physically off-limits to the dog. Dogs like to eat cat droppings, which are very unhealthy for them.

24.  To keep a dog from chasing or stalking cats when you are home but otherwise occupied, use a crate or tether the dog to a heavy piece of furniture. Or use a long leash that’s tied at your waist.

25.  Keep in mind that predatory behavior comes naturally to both dogs and cats. They like to chasing moving objects, including other animals.

26.  If you have more than one dog, do not let them gang up on a cat.

27.  Be sure to pay attention to the resident pets. Take care not to give all your attention to the newcomer.

28.  During mealtimes, each animal needs to feel safe and relaxed while eating. An animal who feels the need to defend his food is under much stress (this will also affect digestion). At least initially, feed in separate areas and give the animals their own food bowls. It helps to give the cat an elevated place to eat that cannot be reached by the dog. The height gives the cat a sense of security.

29.  Introduce new pets when things are going well at home. Do not bring a new pet home during a stressful time in the household.

 Whiskers was our first cat as a couple. An awkward looking calico with long whiskers, she stood out from the other kittens at the pet shop.

 When we got her home, our lovebird, Chiquita, took it upon herself to teach the newcomer who was the real head of the family. She would not allow the kitten to step up on the raised fireplace hearth, pecking at Whiskers’ feet every time she would dare to try.

 Next lesson: there was not enough room on Momma’s lap for both cat and bird. Chiquita would be sitting on my shoulder while I read. When Whiskers would jump up to settle onto my lap, the little bird would climb down my arm, stride over to the kitten and peck at her until she would jump down.

 As Whiskers grew into a beautiful long-haired calico cat, she never forgot the lessons taught to her by Chiquita and continued to be dominated by her.

 Whiskers loved to ride in the car and play fetch with little foil balls. She was such a joy.

 One afternoon a grey tabby kitten entered our garage through the open side door and began to eat Whiskers’ food. Whiskers spotted him and, and saw that neither my husband nor I were making the kitten leave. She spun around and began to stalk back into the house. I called to her, “Whiskers, you don’t have to take that.” She turned to look at me as though to say, “I don’t?” I said, “No. You don’t.” With that she turned back around and strode up to the kitten, who was still eating, and smacked him with her paw.

 The kitten ran behind the bicycle and started fighting with Whiskers through the spokes of the wheels. After several minutes, they both decided this was getting them nowhere and Whiskers went back into the house. The kitten came out from behind the bike and went back to the food dish.

 Rocky, as he came to be called, became the Alpha cat in the household and his antics earned him a lasting place in our hearts and memories. But that is another story.

 If you have stories you would like to share, please post them – or any comments about my postings. We love to hear from all of you.