Practical Experience With Panther Chameleons and Dogs in same household?

[Joleen]

I am putting together an enclosure that will house a Panther Chameleon juvenile that I have yet to acquire.
One concern is how my two adult Bull Terriers will react to having a chameleon juvenile added to the household? Of course I am planning to avoid any direct interaction but I wanted to put the chameleon set up in the sun room which is also occupied by the free range canines while I am away at work four days a week. I have a room divider that I can put up to block visual access by both chameleon and dogs and I have reinforced a Zoo Med starter screen cage with a hand made chicken wire and cedar cage that the zoo med cage slides into. Does anyone have dogs and chameleons occupying the same rooms and how do each species behave towards each other?

 

[Carlton]

Its going to be very individual. I would make sure your cage is as high up off the floor as possible, and also that the dogs can't knock it over and chew through the mesh sides. They will probably be curious about the CAGE at first, but may not notice the cham unless he's a super active one. Once they notice there's an animal in the cage they may try to get to it if only to check it out. The cham may be intimidated by the dogs' activity too. I would make sure your room divider is one they can't knock over, and that the cham has a lot of foliage to hide and watch the dogs while out of view. And, that the cham has access to food, water, and basking UV while remaining hidden from view.

 

[guanagator]

I haven't had any issues I keep my dogs out the room with most of my chameleons but we have a male panther that is in a public area and the dogs (including a sighthound) don't seem to notice him much and he doesn't show any stress reactions to them. That said they are not at eye level and his cage is planted enough he could easily hide if he wanted to feel more secure, his routine seems to be independent of the dogs activity.

 

[PJK]

I haven't had any issues I keep my dogs out the room with most of my chameleons but we have a male panther that is in a public area and the dogs (including a sighthound) don't seem to notice him much and he doesn't show any stress reactions to them. That said they are not at eye level and his cage is planted enough he could easily hide if he wanted to feel more secure, his routine seems to be independent of the dogs activity.

same. I have a feeling my dog never even really notices the cham tbh. either that or she just doesn't care.

 

[Jay3479]

Thought I'd chime in I agree with above dog didn't really notice the Cham but the Cham really notices the dog I had to move the dogs feed n water bowl to an area where the Cham can't see him to make the Cham comfortable. he would roll on the branch every time he went to eat or drink

 

[trickedoutbiker]

I have a mini Aussie and she doesn't even know my panther chameleon exists except when I get him out of the cage and she sees him in my hands. The chameleon also doesn't mind her one bit. She is pretty small, actually considered a "toy" size rather than a mini because she never grew that much. So she isn't really tall enough to peek into the cage that is sitting on a two foot tall stand. But the cage is a corner of my living room where the dog roams whenever it wants and the cham never seems to mind or show stress. Eats and drinks just fine.

 

[Joleen]

Thanks for all the responses! It helps ease my fears that once I am finished with the enclosure and have all systems functioning enough to purchase a panther chameleon that I will not come home to find a horrific Godzilla vs. Bull Terrier scenario! I like to make sure every thing is at 100% before bringing a chameleon into the house!

 

[Twitchet]

When we got our 8 year old terrier - a keen ratter- she was interested in the cham but she had a strong instinct to eat what ever moved but after a few weeks she didnt even look at him- I would never of trusted her an closer but certainly she adapted very quickly and had no interest in him or him of her- Like she wasn't even there- No she's gone to the kennel in the sky so all back to normal!

 

[trickedoutbiker]

I would definitely monitor the behavior of the dogs for a little while before you give them your full trust to be unsupervised around the cage though. Just to be on the safe side.