Dog vs. Cat

Dear Miss Fifi:

How do I get a 10 year old dog to accept our cat? We have to keep the cat in a bedroom, then when the dogs go out she comes out into the rest of the house. Our one dog is fine with her—plays with her and everything. It's very frustrating. He is a Am Staff, and has killed rabbits in the yard, etc. Should I even keep trying?

Also I am afraid to let my cat outside. She is clean and flea free. I am afraid she will run away. Is it okay for a cat to live indoors its entire
life?

- Heather L.

~~~

Dear Heather:

Oh, my, what a difficult situation you're facing. You know Miss Fifi's opinion of the lesser species—felines—but I never endorse violence, of any sort. Well, perhaps a good flush in the toilet is a fun practical joke against cats, but anything more is certainly cruel. I digress ...

Let's deal with the "easier" of the two questions: is it okay for a cat to live indoors its entire life? The answer to that would be yes, it's okay for your cat to live inside. My humans, for whatever reason, felt it necessary to get a cat three years ago. Dilly, whom I employ as my administrative assistant (and is known to my loyal readers as 'Dilettante Dilly'), is confined to the house. Dilly lives a perfectly happy, healthy life in our home, and is content to pounce upon fishing line toys and chase jingly balls that our boy whizzes down the hallway. And though I could argue that she is just a dumb ol' cat, we have a good relationship. And I'm happy to see that she is happy indoors ... and not in my way when I'm getting my exercise outdoors.

As for the interpersonal relationship, or lack thereof, between your dog and cat, I suggest you get in touch with a pet behavior specialist. There's a listing of possibilities on the WRAL.com Pets page.

Good luck.