Re: JRT and my cat

In Reply to: JRT and my cat
Posted by:  Barbara
Posted on:  August 30, 2001 at 10:57:21

: I have a tough decision to make. My boyfriend and I recently split and he has asked me if I would like his JR. She is 9 months old. I have a 12 year old large male cat. I have frequently dog-sitted and have let the dog and cat interact only with supervision. I have kept the JR in her own bathroom (no crate) while I am out. My cat is very aggressive towards the JR and actually chases her when she gets too close. The JR cowers but always returns with aggression. Is my cat being traumatized. They are the same size physically and my male cat has all of his claws but is missing two canine teeth because of oncoming age. I have read all of the horror stories about mixing the two and yet I am trying to find a way to have both animals that I love so much. I would get a crate for the JR if I keep her but she is not used to it. HELP.

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Hi Barbara,

I can only point out certain things to you and you will ultimately have to make the decision.

This JRT being 9 months old, will start to exert her prey drive soon. While many of these dogs will get along famously with all sorts of animals when they are pups, as soon as the hormones kick in, usually so does the prey drive.

This gal will eventually not back down from the cat and while your elderly male cat having all his claws may keep her at bay for a moment or two, personally I would fear for both their safety. The dog could get horribly scratched including her eyes and your cat could become her lunch. There are many terrier people that have dogs agile enough to jump on kitchen counters so I wouldn't necessarily bet that your cat could get away.

It is quite obvious to me that your cat is not enjoying the company of this dog just from what you are telling me.

All this being said there are people out there that do have cats and JRT's but I would have to guess that everything is extremely well supervised and that they are separated when unsupervised. This takes quite a commitment and even then there can be no 100% guarantee. If something should happen to the cat then I only hope that they take the ultimate responsibility and not blame the dog.

Let me just say for everyone out there that says they have JRTs and cats that coexist peacefully together there are the many, many others that don't.

We stand pretty firm here about not recommending this combination for the reasons stated above, but this decision is ultimately yours.

Good luck in your decision,
Marie