what is the best way to introduce my cat to a new puppy?

Answer 1

Your cat ALREADY knows about the interloper. Don't fret overmuch about hissing and growling. The seniority is being layed down. I took in two cats "once" and my Stimpy let it be known right now that aint gonna cut it. Trust me it won't take long. LUCK....

Answer 2

I am a firm believer in "the supervised chaos method." Every expert will tell you not to do it but I've seen the results and it does work. Eventually.

Here's what you do. Bring your cat into a room with a door that can be closed. Bring in the puppy. STAY IN THE ROOM and close the door. Most likely there will be excited barking from the puppy (the cat looks like a chew toy) and lots of growls, hisses, and bared teeth/claws from the cat. If the two get into an actual fight, separate the animals, let them calm down, and start over. After awhile, the cat is going to sit and watch very carefully. The puppy is going to run around and completely ignore all the "stay away" signals your cat is giving. The pup will probably get raked across the nose at some point. However, within a couple hours cat and pup will almost certainly be snoozing together.

Yes, I know this is utterly contradictory to everything everybody else tells you about multi species homes. However, I lived in a house with three dogs, four cats, and a rabbit for a time and this was how we introduced each new animal to the herd. It was loud and crazy for a few hours but it always worked.

Answer 3

When you bring your new puppy home be sure to keep your cat and the puppy separated for a while so that they can get used to each other being around (ex: use a gate in a doorway of your house) and see each other without killing each other.

Youre actually lucky in that cats will take much better to new puppys then dogs will the kittens (less risk of serious injury). Your cat will most likely hiss at the new dog and maybe swat him a few times, but will probably be more amused by the dog than anything.

Make SURE that you still give your cat plenty of attention or he/she can become jealous of the new puppy and that will cause feuds between the two, especially if your cat is very territorial (male cats will be more aggressive then female cats to newcomers).

All in all they just need time to get used to each other, and after a while they should turn out to be good friends.

Hope this helps.

Answer 4

If you have a crate, put puppy in it and let the cat sniff him over without the pup trying to play and what not. I also have used a leash for this. Make sure the cat has a place to go when cat does not want to be near the pup. After 15 minutes or so of sniffing, let the pup out and watch for fights, if one is going to get hurt, leash the pup and make sure the cat does not beat him up. Worst that happens (usually) is the cat hides for a couple days and might beat on the puppy for a little bit until the pup is old enough to hold his own. Make sure you teach pup to be nice to cat and don't let him get too rough on the cat as he gets bigger. You will thank yourself later when they are not fighting all the time LOL.

Answer 5

My friend has a grown cat and just got a Maltese puppy. They introduced each other when the cat was ready. Now they chase each other and play together when the cat is in the mood. Just keep your puppy away from the cat food and litter box.

Answer 6

When we got our puppy the cat was around 3 years old. My wife was quite concerned about the adjustment. We tried to pay as much, if not more attention to the cat than the pup, extra treats ..etc..We also did not let the puppy harrass the cat. The cat hid for a while, but he eventually let the pup know who was boss, now they are like best friends, sometimes even nap together. Patience is key do not force them!!

Answer 7

The best way is to let them see each other from a safe distance where no damage can be done but where maybe they can sniff each other for example by putting either the cat or dog into its vet basket and letting the other approach. Then slowly you can hopefully have them in the same room, expect there to be some scratching and spitting from the cat, you may find that they fight amongst themselves to see who will rule the roost but eventually they will get used to each other it will depend on the personalities of the animals ! Good Luck!

Answer 8

bring the puppy into the home, your cat will be scared no matter what - but one that puppy gets pawed or hissed at enough, he/she will realize that cat is nothing to mess with until it gets bigger, lol - always worked for me. I brought my 11 month old puppy home from the shelter and my 6 month old kittens didn't like her too much, the hairs on their back stood up and they hid for like a week straight, but no cat will love a dog at first sight. have fun with that, lol

Answer 9

Take them on a blind date, and if it works out then you would have "Puppy Love." And that, my friend is "The Cats Meow." Also tell the cat not to worry, the puppies Bark is worse than his bite.

Answer 10

i once saw on tv, is that you should get their favorite toy of each and switch them. So the dog has the smell of the new cat with him and the cat has the smell of the dog from his/hers toy. play with the kitten with the toy-so he gets use to the smell-the same with the dog. Until they are comfortable with it, then you should introduce. Hope this helps : )