Petco Text Logo
Petco Pet Logo

  • Two Easy Ways to Start Earning Rewards!

My new cat hisses at dogs. Can they learn to get along and be happy?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | Domestic Shorthair | Male | neutered | 8 months and 8 days old | 12 lbs

We just recently rescued Simba and he doesn't like our dogs very much. When they come near him he hisses and arches his back. When the dogs are sleeping he comes up to them and sniffs them and will lay close by. He even likes to drink out of there water bowls and lay in there beds when they aren't on them. Do you think Simba has the possibility to be happy around the dogs (even when they are awake and roaming the house)? He is perfectly healthy and I just want him to be happy and the dogs too.

This question includes photos that may contain sensitive content. Click to view.

View more to consider that the photos may include sensitive content.

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

Image profile

Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

Veterinarian

Published on September 17th, 2017

Congrats on your new cat! Yes, I do think that he has the possibility to be happy around the dogs but it will take time. Moving into a new home is stressful for a cat, and getting used to the current occupants is also stressful especially if he hasn't been around dogs before. It's normal behavior to arch and hiss when the dogs come near to Simba, and as long as he isn't reacting aggressively (trying to hit or bite them), then do not discourage this behavior. He is letting them know his boundaries and what he is comfortable with in regards to them. Give him time to adjust and his relationship with the dogs should improve over time :-)

Vote icon

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Questions

Petco Pet Education Center
New Pet
Smickle thinks he’s king of the house, which we’ve let him get away with for some time but we just adopted a younger cat, and he keeps hissing at her. Not violent or aggressive, he is just a big crybaby. (he’s part siamese so he’s VERY vocal.) I know
Well, Smickle IS king of the house! Actually just let him hiss away. Eventually the hissing will stop. This can take a good few weeks. Some day they will sleep on the same bed, but when they see you, will hiss anyway. Give him as much love as you used to, and make extra time for cat number two. Not every cat learns to love another cat, however almost all cats can learn to live in the same household. So Smickle is jealous now, but if you can manage to put lots of lovings on him, he will forgive you for bringing in another kitty, into his kingdom, and eventually the two will likely get along. It will take time and you cannot force it.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
New Pet
I just adopted a cat from another family and he's acting kind of strange. When we first brought him home he hid in the kennel for about and hour or so, slowly peaking out to look around and eat. But now he's out roaming around and acting completely c
That actually sounds like very normal behavior for a cat who is adjusting to a major change. It sounds like Arlo is working on getting comfortable in his new environment but isn't so sure about the humans there yet. I would recommend giving him lots of space, not taking the growling personally, and giving him time (probably a week or two, maybe even months) to warm up. Let him be the one who chooses to interact with you, not the other way around. you can definitely use food and offerings of toys to try to entice him to come interact with you, but it should still be his choice. Congratulations on the new addition, I hope he settles in soon!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
New Pet
I just adopted a new 9 month old kitty from a shelter. He was taken out of a kill shelter and was in a rescue for 7 months. They said he is shy and will hiss but will never bite and hasn't bitten sense i brought him home. I have him confined to my ro
Congratulations on your new kitten! Sometimes it takes a while to gain their trust. Try to get him to play as this will help him to bond with you. Make sure to put the toys away after the play session so that they remain fresh in his mind and always associated with you. Sit quietly near him at mealtime and gradually work up to petting him or hand feeding him. Feliway does help and I recommend to use this product but it will not alter his behavior on its own. Make sure to provide an area for climbing such as a tall cat tree or shelves as this will help to satisfy his natural instinct and decrease stress. Best of luck and please feel free to post any additional questions.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
Any tips on alternatives to phermones for easing a 5month, neutered, medically sound male kitten into socialising with animals? He hisses/growls at animals upon noticing them. Will follow them around if they walk away but will either stand his ground
You can try acclimating him to one dog or cat at a time. Do this on "neutral" ground and begin with very short periods of time. Once he is fine with sight and smell, physically introduce them under strict supervision. Choose a new pet when he accepts one and begin the gradual process again. Praise and reward him as he progresses. be patient and be consistent.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
How do I introduce a shy cat to a dog? Is it normal for the cats to not like him for awhile and then adjust to him being there?
Cat-dog introduction can definitely be tricky particularly when the kitty is somewhat shy or aloof. Cats are usually pretty picky in terms of who they choose to like and dislike at first, so I would not be surprised if you see some swatting and hissing in the very beginning. The best thing you can do to up your odds of a pleasant coexistence if a very slow introduction under supervised settings. I would first have your dog and cat completely separate, but in adjacent rooms so they can hear and smell each other through the door. Once this has happened for a day or two, you can place the dog in a crate and allow the cat to mosy into the dog's area. This will allow you to gauge the dog's reaction as well as the cat's in a safe way. Any positive interaction between the two should be rewarded (both the cat and dog). Once you feel comfortable, you can begin to let the dog out but only on a leash. You need to be convinced that the dog is not going to try to harm Shadow in any way. Th
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
New Pet
Our new kitten is hissing and growling at our well behaved, polite household dog. Dog is not cat aggressive. We have been keeping them separated, however introductions have resulted in our dog getting slightly frustrated that she can't meet the kitty
It does take time. I can give you a method that has worked for me, but know hissing and growling is ok. It's her way of letting the dog know she isn't comfortable. Aggression is not ok (hitting and biting), but the behavior is ok. I would keep them in rooms separated by a door. This way, they can get used to the smells and sounds of each other without contact. Make sure your kitten has a litter box, food, and water in their room. You can also place a blanket with the dog's smell in the kitten's room, and a blanket with the kitten's smell in the odg's room. I would also consider get a Feliway for your kitten and a DAP for your dog. These are pheromone diffusers that help with anxiety and should also help ease the transition. Once both pets seem relaxed with the current situation, swap rooms placing the kitten in the dog's room and vice versa. You can do this switch several times over the course of the introductions. Once they are both comfortable with the smells of each other
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Training & Behavior
My new 6 month kitten keeps growling and hissing at my 11 month old cat. My 11 month just meows and stares when he does this. They are both males and neutered. I just want them to be friends. What can i do?
It can take time, even up to months for them to really get used to each other. I would recommend just giving them their space, each other them their own time with you and letting them have their time to get used to each other. Thank you for using Boop by Petco.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
Health & Wellbeing
My cat hisses loudly at my new puppy a lot. I'm afraid if one day I'm not watching she will scratch her. My other Pekingese also doesn't like the new puppy. What can I do to make them get along? My puppy is 2 months old and my cat is about 3 years ol
I'm afraid this is quite normal behavior and will take time and patience by all to settle down. Ensure your puppy gets enough exercise and active play to focus his energy and consider puppy socialization classes
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
New Pet
Hi. We have had a cat for about a year now (6 years of age) always been alone. Today we brought home 2 new kittens 2months old, and he has been hissing for hours, he isn’t eating nor drinking water and even hisses at us. He is now refusing to sleep o
Introducing cats can take time. Here is a link: https://www.petcoach.co/article/bringing-home-a-new-cat-or-kitten/ https://www.petcoach.co/article/should-you-get-another-cat/ Make sure to keep the cats separated any time you are not supervising them to decrease the potential for injury. Please feel free to post any additional questions.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Petco Pet Education Center
New Pet
ive recently introduced my female kitten (7 months ) to my new male kitten (1 month) she began to hiss and growl at him and i find that completely normal as ive just introduced them but afterwards when i went to pet her she also began to hiss and gro
Hello there! I suspect Nala is probably smelling your new kitten's smell on you too so she is reacting to that. She may also just be over sensitive and aware right now since there is a new kitten in the house. Therefore she is reacting to everything. It sounds like it's only been a short time since you introduced them and this is normal behavior at this point. I would give it more time. Keep doing what you are doing by introducing smells and I they will probably work it out. Especially since they are both young. Younger animals tend to adapt more easily and more quickly too. I hope you find this information helpful for you. I wish you and Nala and your new kitten all the best! Dr. Angela Hinton
Updated on September 24th, 2025

Related Searches

Cat Supplies Cat Food Dog Supplies Cat Training & Behavior Wet Cat Food Cat Potty Training Cat Toys Cat Health & Wellness Cat Repellents & Deterrents Cat Furniture & Scratchers Comfort Zone Cat Training & Behavior Vetality Cat Training & Behavior Sentry Cat Training & Behavior PetSafe Cat Training & Behavior Nature's Miracle Cat Training & Behavior Four Paws Cat Training & Behavior Pet Loo Cat Training & Behavior CAT by Dr Lisa Cat Health & Wellness Dr. Elsey's Cat Training & Behavior Comfort Zone Cat Health & Wellness
image
Have A Vet Question?

Book an appointment with the pros – our expert vets are here to help.

Book Now

Sponsored