I didn't try to introduce my rat to our wolfdog, but we did introduce the dog to our cat early on. They say that this mutual tolerance is built best when both the dog and the cat are very young.
We always watched their interaction and we let Raksha know that this little black kitty demon is under our protection. First she was afraid of the cat, but later on she gained courage to touch the kitten and soon found out what fun it is to chase the cat and to nuzzle it, lick it, chew it...
But we always looked on, and if Raksha was too rough we stopped her. Now the cat is always faster than Raksha, so we let them freely in the garden, knowing that if the cat is caught by our wolfish beast, it is because the cat wanted it so.
Here is my
gallery with pictures of our wolfdog and our cat.
The cat also knows to meow loudly when Raksha bites too hard and we are ready to remind Raksha that the little black provocateur is always to remain in one, healthy piece when she is done with it;]
All this I think prevents Raksha from killing our cat, but I am not sure about other cats. They used to roam our garden freely, but since we have Raksha, not a single cat stranger was spotted... I wonder;D
Anyway, the cat from time to time lets Raksha catch it and seems to enjoy the massage of its belly. When I pull them apart, the cat gives me usually an annoyed look, thinking "Whaaat?!" or "Mind your OWN bussines!" and stretches his paws again towards the dog's jaws.