Aggression to Cat with Toddler in House

magnum · 11-16-2012, 10:50 PM

Magnum, a 3yr old GSD mix (lab probably), was eating peanut butter and kibble-filled Kong toy when the cat walked up to join in. (The cat will eat dog food and dog will eat cat food.) Magnum suddenly started growling and biting the cat who is usually his friend. They have had tiffs before where the cat beats up dog if he is picking on our other cat or Magnum growled at cat because the cat eats food dropped by the toddler before the dog is allowed in the dining room. Magnum is great with the toddler and usually the cats. I am concerned now about him snapping at the kid around food, which he has never done yet. Magnum has been food crazy since the toddler started dropping food around the house. I think that is the root of the problem. He has been eating bread or anything off of the counters when we leave the house. Suggestions? Help?

Thanks!

The cat was injured and has been avoiding the dog.

middleofnowhere · 11-16-2012, 11:24 PM

My suggestion would be to not have the toddler eat food out of the kong.

I'd increase that by having the kid put up when the dog was eating.

Keep food put away (off the counters) when you leave. If you are worried about his affinity for dropped kid food, keep the dog out of the room when the kid is eating and clean up after the kid before letting the dog in. I'd keep the cat out, too, to assure more animal harmony.

pets4life · 11-16-2012, 11:36 PM

[QUOTE=middleofnowhere;2631732]My suggestion would be to not have the toddler eat food out of the kong.

Also thats just nasty lol

Stevenzachsmom · 11-16-2012, 11:37 PM

Is Magnum crate trained? If so, I would crate him, while he was enjoying his kong, to keep the cats away. I agree to put food away, when you leave. Crate the dog, while the child is eating, or separate them with a baby gate.

msvette2u · 11-16-2012, 11:52 PM

Unless you want a dead cat, better not give the kong where the cat can get to the dog. Poor kitty

Also work on a reliable "DROP IT" no matter what, and keep the child away from the dog while it's having treats/kongs.

llombardo · 11-17-2012, 12:07 AM

No matter how well my dogs and cats get along, I supervise them closely if a treat or food is involved. If you want to continue to give the dog treats then put him in a crate or separate from the cats and the little one.

magnum · 11-17-2012, 08:45 AM

I think middleofnowhere was being sarcastic because the toddler doesn't eat dog food or from the Kong, really...

We think we have put all the human food away and even gate magnum out of the kitchen when gone. However, there is something we miss like kid's snack holder, open diaper bag by the front door where he stole crackers out of, ziploc of cereal bars that he pulled off shelf and ate wrapper and all. We have debated not letting him eat any scraps off the floor and locking him in kitchen during mealtimes and cleaning up floor before he is let out. Has anyone ever had luck with this? Or will he become even crazier? Thanks!!

11-16-2012, 10:50 PM	#1 (permalink)
magnum New Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Posts: 2	Aggression to Cat with Toddler in House Magnum, a 3yr old GSD mix (lab probably), was eating peanut butter and kibble-filled Kong toy when the cat walked up to join in. (The cat will eat dog food and dog will eat cat food.) Magnum suddenly started growling and biting the cat who is usually his friend. They have had tiffs before where the cat beats up dog if he is picking on our other cat or Magnum growled at cat because the cat eats food dropped by the toddler before the dog is allowed in the dining room. Magnum is great with the toddler and usually the cats. I am concerned now about him snapping at the kid around food, which he has never done yet. Magnum has been food crazy since the toddler started dropping food around the house. I think that is the root of the problem. He has been eating bread or anything off of the counters when we leave the house. Suggestions? Help? Thanks! The cat was injured and has been avoiding the dog.

11-17-2012, 12:07 AM	#6 (permalink)
llombardo Crowned Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Illinois Posts: 4,932	No matter how well my dogs and cats get along, I supervise them closely if a treat or food is involved. If you want to continue to give the dog treats then put him in a crate or separate from the cats and the little one. __________________ Misty- Samoyed Mix Tannor- Golden Retriever CGC Robyn- German Shepherd CGC Cats-Thunder, Harley, Miley, Bandit, and Ferah RIP Boo..Black Lab "A dog is the only thing on this earth that loves you more than he loves himself."

11-16-2012, 11:24 PM	#2 (permalink)
middleofnowhere Crowned Member Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Arkansas Posts: 12,696	My suggestion would be to not have the toddler eat food out of the kong. I'd increase that by having the kid put up when the dog was eating. Keep food put away (off the counters) when you leave. If you are worried about his affinity for dropped kid food, keep the dog out of the room when the kid is eating and clean up after the kid before letting the dog in. I'd keep the cat out, too, to assure more animal harmony.

11-16-2012, 11:36 PM	#3 (permalink)
pets4life Elite Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Kingston Ontario Posts: 1,191	[QUOTE=middleofnowhere;2631732]My suggestion would be to not have the toddler eat food out of the kong. Also thats just nasty lol

11-16-2012, 11:37 PM	#4 (permalink)
Stevenzachsmom Knighted Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Maryland Posts: 3,356	Is Magnum crate trained? If so, I would crate him, while he was enjoying his kong, to keep the cats away. I agree to put food away, when you leave. Crate the dog, while the child is eating, or separate them with a baby gate.

11-16-2012, 11:52 PM	#5 (permalink)
msvette2u Banned Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Beautiful Pacific NW Posts: 11,005	Unless you want a dead cat, better not give the kong where the cat can get to the dog. Poor kitty Also work on a reliable "DROP IT" no matter what, and keep the child away from the dog while it's having treats/kongs.

11-17-2012, 08:45 AM	#7 (permalink)
magnum New Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Posts: 2	I think middleofnowhere was being sarcastic because the toddler doesn't eat dog food or from the Kong, really... We think we have put all the human food away and even gate magnum out of the kitchen when gone. However, there is something we miss like kid's snack holder, open diaper bag by the front door where he stole crackers out of, ziploc of cereal bars that he pulled off shelf and ate wrapper and all. We have debated not letting him eat any scraps off the floor and locking him in kitchen during mealtimes and cleaning up floor before he is let out. Has anyone ever had luck with this? Or will he become even crazier? Thanks!!

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