I just got a new Shih-Tzu puppy yesterday and my teenage cat is acting a little funny. My puppy is 8 weeks old and very scared! When we first came home my cat really didn’t seem to notice the puppy but then he got the sniffing and his tale just go all puffy and stuck straight up in the air! We sat down with both animals and let them both look at each other (while holding both animals) my cat just looked and begin to hiss a little but in the same since he seemed kinda frighten by the puppy. I really don’t understand his behavior, I don’t know if he going to attack the little puppy or just keep his distance! I understand that I am bringing another animal into his territory but my puppy isn’t going anywhere! Will they get along eventually? Will my cat learn to love the puppy?
Is there anything I can do to make this process of introducing them to one another a little bit easier for them?
2006-08-30 03:46:46 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Cats
I introduced a female black lab/boxer puppy who was 4 months old to two males cats aged 4 and 2. The first thing the older one did (who is kinda the 'old man' of the house anyways) was rush up to the puppy hiss, growl and beat the poor things nose until she dropped and showed submission. The younger one just fled to the top of a bookcase to watch this strange thing moving about.
The puppy is now 11.5 months old. The young cat tries to engage her in games of chase and the puppy is always trying to lick that cat (much to the cats dismay who is very particular about his fur and looks). The older one still exerts his dominance over the puppy (mostly when she gets to wound up, gets in the way of the food bowl, or is just generaly being a pest) but they share the same space and lay together (the puppy is now allowed to get within 2 inches to take naps with the cat) and the puppy tries to follow him in the house.
You have to give it time. But, you must make sure your cat understands he is still the dominate one. This is a big issue for cats who have a very complex social order. You have to say hello to the cat first when you come in, feed him first, etc. And really, since you had the cat first - he should be first concern in this matter.
2006-08-30 03:58:54 · answer #1 · answered by zombie_togo 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Throughout the years. I have introduced new kittens .cats. puppies. You are in luck. Your cat is the first dominant resident.. Always make sure you are treating your cat with a little more attention. so his jealousy don't grow into agitation.
I have a 14 year old person cat. who was the mother of many of my kittens. This year she was introduced to a standard poodle puppy. First of all. your puppy should have a gated area .or small crate. so he will feel safe.and away from any cat attacks. even in play. his eyes can get hurt. By separating ,but still allowing eye contact and smells. attention play time. as the puppy matures they will either be friends. ignore each other. ./ Rarely do they become bitter enemies unless people in the house try to interfere in natural order and force them to be friends. it takes time .patience and love. You should have a peaceful existence. after the puppy has passed her adolescence of play fullness. this is why I recommended the crate. saves on shoes. cords. belts leashes. i bred **** zu's. i had cookie , an Irish Wolfhound. a Persian cat. and a great Dane. Everybody. different age. and all was well. The Shi tzu kept all the big dogs at bay. She was the boss. hahhalol.
2006-08-30 04:00:40 · answer #2 · answered by stardancer4949 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well i have an 7yr cat and I just got a 8week old puppy. My cat does fine he's only slapped him a couple of times just to warn the puppy (Pal) to back off. The puppy is not scared of my cat in fact he looks for him every were. Just don't put to much into it and start punishing the cat for getting mad or treating the dog like a baby in front of the cat. Or your going to just make him mad and he'll probably blame it on the dog and always be mean to it or want to hurt him.
2006-08-30 04:25:55 · answer #3 · answered by Neev 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
your cat will probably never love your puppy. we brought a dog into our household over 2 years ago and our cats still dont like him. they do sit in the same room as him, they dont bother each other but that took about 6 months to happen. one thing that may make it easier - make sure your cat has a safe haven. somewhere it can go without the dog around. we use a baby gate to keep the dog from going upstairs (where the bedrooms are) and the cats have free reign.
2006-08-30 03:49:59 · answer #4 · answered by ? 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, your cat will never love your puppy, but it will come to accept it. My cats hated my Akita pup for the first month or so, and then they just resolved themselves to the fact that he wasn't going anywhere. Now, three years later, they just look at him with a kind of "That's disgusting" look. He seems to like them more than they can stand being around him!
2006-08-30 03:56:24 · answer #5 · answered by Okkieneko 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
undesirable you: Mommy, you are going to be able to desire to enable the babies artwork it out. The cats are the dominant critters and the domestic dog is the hot new child on the block. you're stunning that they might desire to no longer care too lots using their age; the undesirable information is, they are distinctive species and (cats somewhat) will continuously have a definitive opinion approximately who's sharing their area. basically step back, do no longer under any circumstances enable the cats think of you like the canine extra useful than them, and don't enable the kitties be too recommend to the undesirable domestic dog. meaning, if the domestic dog comes away with claw-marks, you are going to be able to desire to step in; otherwise, enable the three set the obstacles. My wager is Mr. Boy Cat would be the dominant animal, accompanied by using Mr. canine; Mz. Kitty female would be the strange-critter out, except Mr. canine is definitely a woman. basically seems to artwork out that way. somewhat using fact Mz Kitty is the youngest. Do you have human little ones? Watch their interplay, and save on with for this reason. playstation --in case you have human little ones, do no longer enable the great ones bully the babies! sturdy luck!
2016-09-30 04:12:27 · answer #6 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi,,, this is normal behavior and it may take a while for the cat to get use to the dog,,, or vice versa,,,, but given time they will be ok... I have 9 cats and 4 dogs,,,and even though most get along,, the Maine Coon Cat,,,,, still does not liked to get (Cold Nosed) by the dogs,,,,,,,lol
good luck
2006-08-30 03:51:05 · answer #7 · answered by eejonesaux 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Go to: www.littlebigcat.com and read Dr. Jean Hovfe's article on "Cat to Dog Introductions". There may be some useful tips there for you to use.
Yes, I do think the future is probably bright for their relationship. Certainly they will make some sort of peace between them.
2006-08-30 04:16:29 · answer #8 · answered by old cat lady 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your puppy will soon learn his boundaries...don't expect your established cat to fancy your new addition any time soon. Be overjoyed if he at least learns to tolerate the little Tzu.
2006-08-30 03:52:47 · answer #9 · answered by rrrevils 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If they are both amles it will probobly be harder for them to be freinds. have you had only your cat for a while? he probobly thinks hes the man of the house. the puppy will want to be freinds, but he won't. soon, they might just ignore eachother, hence not fighting. believe me. i have a male rottie and a male cat and they're NOT buddies!!!
-bob
2006-08-30 03:52:42 · answer #10 · answered by meesnaw 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋