I want a dog but don't want to upset my cat?

Question

I have posted questions on here before about this, but finally the time has come when I am actually going to adopt a puppy, and I am soooo worried about the effect it will have on my cat. She is only 19 months old and is the centre of attention in our house - she is loved so much! I really don't want her to be upset by the arrival of a puppy, but neither do I want to be afraid to give the puppy lots of love just because Ebony might be jealous. How can I do this? Will I really distress Ebony by bringing a puppy to live with us? Will I be able to give the pup lots of love without upsetting her? What's the best way to introduce them? Can they live happily together?

Answer 1

Ebony will be furious - but she'll get over it! Just expect lots of hissing and fits and a few weeks of angry behavior - then she'll mellow out. As the puppy grows they will bond. Mine have and they all sleep together.

Answer 2

If you plan to bring a dog into a home with a resident cat, your best bet is, in most cases, a very young puppy, one too little to accomplish much barking or chasing of the cat. Although most cats recognize that an 8 week-old puppy isn't much of a threat, you will need to monitor their time together at first to guard against injury such as a slash across the puppy's eyes. It is possible to combine unfamiliar adult dogs and adult cats, but it may take a lot of work and time; it all depends on the personalities of the dog and cat. The following routine will maximize your chances for success in introducing a new dog to your cat:

(1) Before you attempt a face-to-face meeting, keep the animals separated and first let them get used to the smell of the other and be aware the other's presence in a non-threatening manner. Feed them closer and closer on opposite sides of the closed door separating their areas until they can eat calmly right next to the door. Hopefully, they will begin to associate the presence of the other animal with good things like eating. It would also be a good idea to begin teaching (or reviewing) some basic obedience commands ("sit," "down," "stay") to your new dog in preparation for the face-to-face meetings.

(2) Keep the first face-to-face meetings short and both animals controlled. One person should be with the leashed dog, commanding him to "sit" or "down" while the other person holds the cat on his/her lap on the other side of the room. If the dog behaves aggressively, he should be distracted by pulling on the lead or giving a command. Both animals should be praised and rewarded with special tidbits of food for calm behavior. Reward for good behavior is far better than punishment because you want the dog to associate pleasant things with the cat's presence. Gradually bring the two closer until they have the chance to investigate each other face-to-face. The behavior of the animals will tell you whether this will take one or many short sessions.

(3) If the cat and dog seem happy together in the controlled situation, the next step is to allow them loose in the room together, but be certain that the cat has an escape route or a safe place to hide in case the dog becomes excited. Keep them separated when you are gone until you are sure that they can get along. If this step does not go well, go back and spend more time on the earlier introductory stages.

Always be cautious and concerned for the safety of your cat and dog when introducing adult animals, even if they have previously had an amicable relationship with an individual of the other species.

Answer 3

I did that, got a german shepherd and the cat was leery at first of the pup, but they are best friends now. The cat attacks his tail, and the dog slimes the cat. Eventually they will pass out, and the kitty is curled up against the dog. Its awesome.

By the way, the puppy will be very interested in the cat, make sure that you wath the pup, because he might play too rough, just correct the pup, and he will learn to mellow out around the cat. The cat will take the calmer puppy better, and will get used to him quicker if he isnt chasing the cat all the time.

Answer 4

Do it carefully although she will probably accept a puppy eventually.I got my cat and my old and now sadly deceased dog together when both were 8 weeks old and they played like littermates so no problem.
My next dog was a puppy when my cat was then 4 so I did it slowly and let her see him from a distance she hissed a bit at first but after a while was fine with him too.

The big miracle was that a friend of mine who shows dogs forgot I had a cat and brought a saluki round (sighthound)the saluki was with her for rehoming after the police took her from her old owners who'd hunted illegally with her.She had been trained to hunt but instantly loved the cat for some weird reason,despite having an incredibly strong hunting drive usually so I ended up keeping her too.

However I advise against introducing an adult dog-especially a sighthound-to a cat as a rule,it's too risky.

Answer 5

Weather or not your kitty will accept the puppy will surely be seen within the first few days. If you are really worried about it, then you shouldn't be getting a puppy. Pets are a life commitment, so you really should reconsider the puppy thing. But if your kitty is still a kitten (19 Mo is a kitten) then perhaps the puppy will look to her as a new play pal. It is possible. Hope all works out great for the two of them.

Answer 6

They can live happily together. Ebony will be upset at first. Make sure to introduce them slowly. Give them both lots of attention. Give it some time and they will learn to get along just fine.

Answer 7

Cats get very jealous and upset over intruders unless you got the puppy at the same time.

Or unless the cat is going to mummy the puppy

Answer 8

we had two cats and we got a dog from the the rescue center
the youngest cat (merlin)took to the dog straight away it took the older one a while to except her but now they get on pretty well together
then i found a stray cat and bought that home and to be honest
the other to cats didnt want it in the house but after a time they settled down

Answer 9

Introduce them casually, but by small protions of the house. Once they are introduced, normally a pecking order will come into play. Do not encourage the puppy to chase after the cat.

Answer 10

dont get a terrier,i have a jack russell and a border collie,both great together,but if i had a cat,i would probably get a mongerel puppy from the rescue center,it would get used to the cat from being young.