Help with my cat and dog fighting... any advice?

I’ve had my dog since she was a puppy; she’s a 10-year-old Jack Russell/Mini Aussie mix and usually knows when to leave things alone. We got our cat in 2019, and she got along fine with our previous roommate’s cat and even our new kitten. But since our last move, the cat has started to bully the dog. She corners her, slaps her, and blocks her path. Tonight, it escalated, and they got into a full-on fight over a toy. I feel terrible for both pets and am not sure what else to try. Any advice?

Sounds like the cat might be stressed, maybe from the move or the kitten. Try giving her space with her own litter and food areas. Feliway plug-ins can sometimes help calm things down too.

Tatum said:
Sounds like the cat might be stressed, maybe from the move or the kitten. Try giving her space with her own litter and food areas. Feliway plug-ins can sometimes help calm things down too.

Thanks, I’ll try that! She does have her own areas, but maybe I’ll rearrange things to make it even more peaceful for her.

Do you think it could be a territorial thing? Cats can be pretty particular about their space, especially with new pets or after a move. Maybe try limiting her space and gradually letting her get used to sharing again.

@Leith
That’s possible. She has plenty of space, but it’s a smaller place now. I’ll try creating more separate areas for them.

If the cat responds better to your partner, maybe he could be involved in their playtimes to see if that helps. Sometimes cats react differently to different people in the home.

Wes said:
If the cat responds better to your partner, maybe he could be involved in their playtimes to see if that helps. Sometimes cats react differently to different people in the home.

Good idea! She does seem to behave better when my partner’s around. I’ll ask him to help out with some play sessions.

I had a similar issue, and a behaviorist recommended reward-based separation for tense times. Separate them with treats when the cat acts up, so the cat learns to associate positive things with the dog.

@Skyler
Interesting! I’ve never tried that. Worth a shot for sure, thanks for sharing.

Have you tried calming collars for cats? They release natural scents that can help with anxiety and might reduce the tension with the dog.

Ming said:
Have you tried calming collars for cats? They release natural scents that can help with anxiety and might reduce the tension with the dog.

No, I haven’t tried those yet. I’ll look into it, thanks!