I have 3 cats (8,4 and 3 yrs) and I brought my newfie/lab puppy home 2 weeks ago. One of the cats is OK with the puppy - but the other two are resistant to the hyperactive pup...any suggestions for getting the cats to trust the pup?
2006-07-10 19:24:36 · 18 answers · asked by Kazzini 2 in Pets ➔ Cats
Cats are creatures of habit like all house pets. Any deviation from their daily routine causes them stress. With the arrival of a new family member the stress is going to be significant. The best way to get all three cats to accept the newbie will require patience and time. Treat the situation as if it was completely normal. Give them all equal amount of attention as you would normally do. Let them take their own time to get used to the new situation. Do not force encounters with the newbie. They will soon realise that there is no fuss to make and will accept the puppy in their own way. Do not interfere too much as this will make it hard for the cats to draw their own conclusions concerning the situation.
2006-07-10 19:37:08 · answer #1 · answered by Watson D 1 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Your cats will naturally feel jealous of the new arrival, how would you like it if youcame home and found someone sitting on your sofa watching your TV!!! The best way to introduce new pets to each other is a gradual introduction.
Let the original residents have the run of your house, or let them go where they have always gone before. Restrict the puppy to one room that's 'his' where he has his own bed, food etc. This gives him a 'safe room' and the cats know to avoid that area.
Introduce them slowly, first get them used to the smell of the other dog, ie put a blanket in the dogs room for a few hours to get the dogs smell on it then place it somewhere where the cats will go, ie a sofa, chair etc. This will get the cats used to the dogs smell.
Once they seem ok with this you can take the next step. prop the door to the dogs room open wide enough so the cats can peek in but not get in and most importantly so the dog cannot get out, a hook on the door is ideal for this. Let the cats in their own time become curious and sneak peeks and smell him. Once they seem ok with that you can allow the door open far enough so the cats can get in and out but the dog can not get out.
If all goes ok bring the dog out, but make sure you can grab him if he tries to chase them or move him away if the cats go for him. If either does try to go for the other try distracting them with toys or treats. If all are good and well behaved award the behaviour. Most importantly never leave them unsupervised and make sure that the dogs safe haven is available just for him and that the cats have an escape route should they need it.
Hope this helps, It sounds a lengthy process and it really is, but it just takes time and patience and lots of love, make sure it doesn't look like your favouring one above the other.
I currently run a pet supplies business and have worked for cat charities as well as helped set up and run a local cat charity, so i have some experience. Really hope things go ok
2006-07-11 02:53:10 · answer #2 · answered by spoiltpetz 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Unfortunately you will have to let them sort it out for themselves. There will be times when the cats will let it know who's boss as they are very territorial.
The pup will learn when it has pushed the cats too far and they will certainly tell it so.
It will take weeks for them to sort it out and as the pup gets older it will learn what it can and cannot do.
I suspect it's the 8 year old which is tolerant, is this so? The other two are in their prime and will try to force their wills on the pup.
They will sort it out eventually but you shouldn't worry. The cats are the ones which have to come to terms with the new addition. You can train the pup not to interfere with the cats but as we know training cats is nigh on impossible
2006-07-10 19:40:08 · answer #3 · answered by n 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Cats are very personal, they are unlikely to have any interaction with the pup, i think your main concern should be to ensure that the puppy does not annoy them too much, as they are likely to scratch him, which will make your pup hate cats, which will cause more problems should you need to leave them alone together when your dog is older.
Good luck though,
2006-07-12 00:45:26 · answer #4 · answered by catx_pye 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree with Rich T. Cats and dogs can get along, and cats are certainly able to let dogs know when they have been pushed. Dogs DO NOT like to be scratched on the nose, but they will be. That's the cat's way of letting it know what's going on and who's the boss of this pride. They will get along eventually with the proper boundaries established between them. I would like to add, though, that you do not show more affection for the puppy than you show the cats (at least in front of the cats), and PLEASE make sure you are there in case the puppy's rambunctiousness gets out of hand. The Puppy is a little baby and doesn't know any better, yet. Separate him with gentle nudges to let him know he is being too hard on your cats when they are together with proper supervision, and then be sure you know when they have established their boundaries. You probably WILL have to let it get its nose scratched once, but believe me, the puppy won't like it and won't do it again because it hurts! They have very sensitive noses, but it will heal. Your cats won't scratch it very deeply. It's just a warning strike. If they meant to hurt it, they could. It's a defensive mechanism. They will get along eventually, I swear...
2006-07-10 20:39:01 · answer #5 · answered by katbanshee1 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Let me happily tell you that with time they will accept the dog. The best thing to do is to ignore it when they scratch you puppy - sounds harsh I know but the puppy needs to learn that it is their home he/she has come into.
I had 6 cats in 1998 and in March of that year I got a puppy Bitsa (bitsa this, bitsa that) and he terrorised them lol. After a few swipes and the meeting of cat claws he learnt not to go near them.
One of the cats I have (Rusti) was a very young kitten when I got him and his siblings and he was the last one to open his eyes. When he did the first thing he saw was the dog and his big nose, LOL, he thinks that he is his mum! If the dog goes out in the garden for a wee the cat follows, they sleep, eat and play together and it is endearing to see.
Allow them to just get on with it and separate them when you go out and have to leave the puppy home.
Good luck
2006-07-19 00:04:42 · answer #6 · answered by á?¦ Magic á?¦ 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Leave them alone and they will eventually get on if you try and force the issue they never will takes a lot longer than a few weeks one of they cats will be the boss he/she will soon sort out the puppy if it gets to hyperactive
2006-07-14 05:06:42 · answer #7 · answered by jms_haggarty 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
put the dog in a crate and leave the cats loose and put them in the same room but make sure that the cats do look at the cat and observe there behavior the cats might not like it that it is in there face and just for them to approach the puppy
2006-07-16 07:13:10 · answer #8 · answered by loopyloz 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am sure the cats will come around when the pup calms down a bit. Cats are odd. They may take to the pup or they may tolerate him and stay out of his way.....it just depends on their individual personality.
2006-07-10 19:38:53 · answer #9 · answered by aliviel27 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The dog will have to settle down first. Then the cats might get get used to the idea of a new member of the family.
2006-07-10 19:50:13 · answer #10 · answered by billy bob 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋