How will a 4 year old cat react to a new puppy?

Question

I have a spoiled, assertive cat that is 4 going on 5 years. I'm getting a 12 week old puppy and I don't want the cat to avoid the puppy, or for the cat to beat up the new pup.

The puppy is going to be a corgi and my cat is a mix between a bombay and American Shorthair.

Answer 1

Start slow! Make sure your cat has plenty of places to go that are "his" places only. Like a cat tree, or a room where the puppy can't go. If you have a special cat door on the room, that would be best, but also child gates work well. Don't force interaction. If and when they do interact, don't intervene unless someone is really getting injured. A little scratch on the nose won't hurt your puppy too much and it will let him know the boundaries. Remember this was your cat's home first and the puppy will have to respect it (and by the way you described your cat, I don't think he'll have any trouble making sure the puppy knows that!). Don't expect them to be best friends, as long as they can peacefully share the same space, you should be happy. If your cat pouts and mopes around the house for a while, that's normal, he's gonna feel hurt and put-off, but don't worry, he'll adjust in his own time! Make sure you spend alone time with your cat as well. Don't make him feel like he's being replaced, yes your puppy will require a lot of attention, but just make sure to set aside some quality time with your cat doing things you used to do with him, brushing, petting, snuggling, etc. Also, crate your puppy at night and when you're not home, this will give your cat some quiet time where he doesn't have to feel "on gaurd" all the time, as well as keep your puppy from destroying your house and using it as a bathroom! The pup may not like the kennel at first, but he'll get used to that too, and probably will prefer to be in the kennel when you aren't home, it'll be his safe spot! Good luck, take your time, don't forget your patience!

Answer 2

I have done this too, but my puppy was just a little bit older. At first my cat didn't know what to think. But after a while she got used to sharing attention. If the cat just pats around with the puppy don't worry! Your cat just might want to play. Then once the puppy is older, it will most likely learn how to play with him.

Answer 3

We've had our cat for 12 yrs and the first dog we had was a calm, shy weiner dog, and they got a long great. Now we have a hyper crazy pit bull terrier that wants to play all the time and the cat can't stand it. Our pup had to get stitches in his nose 3 weeks after we had em together. Eventually they will learn to avoid each other.

Answer 4

introduce them little by little. sooner or later they might just be friends. start by feeding them far away from each other then gradully bring the dishes closer. The freind ship between dog and cat will also depend on the size of the dog. If it is bigger than the cat they might not like each other and the dog would form a habbit to chase the cat. If you don't want this or the cat does not know how to deal with other animals(It's been the only animal in the house), I would sujest that you introduce them to each other little by little. I hope this helps.

Answer 5

Depending on the size and activity nature of the dog there's no sure way of telling.

My guess is after a few days they will be friends anyway.

Don't push it, since that is his domain first, just try to be not nervous and let kitty go ahead a swat puppy a little without getting yelled at or punished into another room. It will be Ok. Just don't make a big deal out it. Set doggy down, feed doggy while kitty in room letting kitty check him out, then have someone else play with the puppy to make the puppies attention not aimed only on kitty. Mainly let kitty check puppy out while puppies interested in something else. Try to keep puppy occuipied so not to make kitty nervous and scared. Keep puppy busy ( not on Kitty) Make it no big deal. No harsh nervousness on your part and they won't feel too nervous either hopefully . Animals are around animals all the time they will work it out. Good Luck.

Answer 6

we got a pup when our two cats were older
I think they knew it was a baby so they never hurt her they ignored her but when the puppy starting going to them they sort of interacted with her.. I think it is safe that the cat will not hurt the pup..

good luck

Answer 7

hmm. well what has worked with us is you take it slow. and when you pet your cat pet it by the nose (where all the whiskers are) because that is where it has a scent gland. then you go pet the dog. so you are getting the smell of the cat on the dog and the smell of the dog on the cat. eventually they will get used to each other. (hopefully)

Answer 8

My cat tried to kill my puppy when I brought him home. Seriously. On multiple occasions. But now they get along alright. He's two now and the cat is clearly dominant. She eats his food and makes him sit and watch till she's done. But she doesn't try to kill him anymore now that he's bigger than she is.

Answer 9

who knows.....
honestly, i'd love to help you and i'm sure you're going to get some great advice, but the only way to know for sure is put the cat with the pup and see what happens.

we don't know what your cat is like and you, it's owner, doesn't even know how it will react.

i don't want this to sound harsh, either...i'm just trying to be realistic.
i know you're probably looking for stories from other pet owners.

Answer 10

We have a yorkie and he beats up on our 2 year old cat and my cat gets really mad.