I'm moving in with my girlfriend this weekend. She has a Jack Russell/Springer Spaniel cross. I have a very grumpy little cat. Is there any tips you can give me for introducing the two of them without too much bloodshed. I know that Suzi (the cat) will put Lukka (the dog) in her place. Will them both being female cause any problems? Or should we just let Lukka chase Suzi till Suzi smacks Lukka?

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Leopard Gecko's 0.2.0 Lucy & Lottie
Bearded Dragon 1.0.0 George - Thanks so much MJSgecko's he's perfect
Chinese Fire Bellied Newts 0.0.3 Colin, Richard and Ayrton
Cat 0.1.0 Suzi
Mountain Bikes 0.5.0 Selina, Izzy, Elise, Summer, Boris

There's an old saying that it's easier to introduce a cat into a dog's home than a dog into a cat's home, but I don't know whether it's true or not!

I've never introduced an adult cat and dog, so someone else may come along and offer you better advice, but leaving them to it could be a bad idea as one of them could end up hurt.

I would have said a crate would be the best bet, crate one up and let the other roam so they see each other and then swap them around so they can each examine the other's scent etc and get used to each other.

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Snakes: Monty - 10 yo anery corn & Calleigh, 4yo miami zig zag corn.

Cats: 4 Somalis - Harry, Roscoe, Cadbury & Purrdy (9 - 13 yo) and 1 Siamese - Luna (10yo) - all bred by me

Fish: 15 pond fish
www.feorag.freeservers.com

I have introduced adult cats to dogs but its not always easy. I agree with Eileen that using a crate is the easiest way, it may take a while and they may never be fond of each other but they should be able to live together. Make sure the cat is kept in the house for a few weeks or it will get lost and NEVER let the dog chase the cat as this is a recipe for disaster

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1 Blue Tongue OZZY, 1 Uromastyx BRUCE
3 Oscillated Skinks - 11 assorted dogs
15 assorted cats soon to be 16
2 African Pygmy Hedgehog (Elvis & Evie)

Woodlands Animal sanctuary http://animalsanctuary.org.uk/

My Sphynx kitten is here

We have a dog crate for Lukka. But I'm not starting my new job for a couple of weeks so there will be someone around. Although Lukka isn't arriving from her weekend at Granny's until Sunday so Suzi has 2 days to get used to the smells and settled in.

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Leopard Gecko's 0.2.0 Lucy & Lottie
Bearded Dragon 1.0.0 George - Thanks so much MJSgecko's he's perfect
Chinese Fire Bellied Newts 0.0.3 Colin, Richard and Ayrton
Cat 0.1.0 Suzi
Mountain Bikes 0.5.0 Selina, Izzy, Elise, Summer, Boris

I'd say it completely depends on the animals in question.

Years ago we agreed to dog sit a friend's rottie x. You couldn't walk him without a muzzle because he was such a nightmare with other dogs, so I was really worried about how he'd be with my two house cats. I was expecting to have to shut them in separate rooms.

But not only were they fine, one girl Maya just felll in love with him and didn't leave his side. It was really sweet.

So hopefully you'll be pleasantly surprised !!!

Otherwise, Id try to make sure both have their own space they can escape to if things get too much. Perahsp food, litter tray etc in separate rooms to start with.

And congrats on moving in together btw

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0.2 rescue cats Inca and Maya
0.2 buff orpingtons
0.1 cream legbar
0.1.3 gold brahmas
0.1 salmon faverolle
0.3 black australorps
0.1 lavender pekin
New marine tank

It's going to be like a zoo with all my animals and her Slow worm and dog. And the 7 year old boy

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Leopard Gecko's 0.2.0 Lucy & Lottie
Bearded Dragon 1.0.0 George - Thanks so much MJSgecko's he's perfect
Chinese Fire Bellied Newts 0.0.3 Colin, Richard and Ayrton
Cat 0.1.0 Suzi
Mountain Bikes 0.5.0 Selina, Izzy, Elise, Summer, Boris