New puppy with two cats - When will they get along?

Question

I have two cats who are about 9 years old and we got a 4-month old golden retriever about 4 weeks ago. When will my cats stop hissing and running away from the puppy? Any suggestions on how to make my cats more comfortable with the puppy?

Answer 1

Yeah, I say never. Your cats are pissed. Cats don't like change and they are set in their old ways. The best solution is to give them space to get away from the dog, a room blocked with a gate and a nice cat tree somewhere they can climb up. The puppy just wants to play and doesn't understand how any one/thing could hate them. Eventually when your dog is more calm (8 mo. to a year) he will eventually learn leave the cats alone and then the will live more harmoniously. Until then the cats will hate him. Good Luck! The best thing going for you is that Goldens are fairly calm dogs so it should settle down when it is a year old, maybe sooner. I think it is also wise to add another litter box somewhere in the house. Cats are more likely to go where they aren't supposed to go when they are stressed and/or can't get to their box (because they want to avoid the dog). I would put up a gate to the cats favorite room and they will jump over it when they don't want to deal with him/her. The only other thing you could try is a pheromone diffuser (it's like an air freshener plug in) that releases "happy kitty" smell into the air and makes them more calm. You can get them at petsmart or from an online store (like Dr. Foster & Smith).

Answer 2

They may never get along....eventually they cats will stop hissing and pouncing, but they may just avoid the dog completely.

It took my cats about 2 months to warm up to my new puppy. They now cuddle on the sofa and play together, clean each other. Every pet is different. Just try not to make your cats feel abandoned or left out. Animals have a keen sense of that, and get jealous easily. They don't want to feel their place in the pack has been compromised.

Answer 3

I suppose you just added the puppy to the mix right away huh? The secret is to keep them separated for about 3 weeks or so to get accustomed to the new smells in the house. Cats are EXTREMELY territorial. Now that youve already introduced the puppy into the family with no warning the cats may take a very long time to get along with him. They may never accept him. Keep their claws trimmed short for the puppy's sake.

Answer 4

Give them time: The puppy would be energetic, indeed rambunctious. And the cats are- or were- comfortably set in their ways. You'll want to teach the puppy that chasing the cats is a major no-no. Once the cats see that the puppy isn't going to bother them, they'll come out and might even help you train him.

Answer 5

You should watch the dog whisperer on the National Geographic channel. He did a segment about cats and dogs getting along. The main thing he did was sit on the couch with them all together and try to get them all to calm down. If one acted out of the way at the others he corrected them by saying a quick shh and tapping them lightly. In about 10 minutes of sitting there with them and talking amongst themselves everyone got up and made the animals sit on the couch. It was hillarious. He really is a genius when it comes to animals!!

Answer 6

Could be a year, it could be never. Some cats accept new animals right away, some take up to a year to tolerate one another. Some cats never accept new animals in the house. My cat refuses to get along with any other animal.

Answer 7

the cats are pretty old, and dont like competition. What you need to do is not look too excited about the puppy infront of them.

Answer 8

3 weeks

Answer 9

DON'T FORCE THEM TO MEAT EACH OTHER They will meat in there own time i gt 1 dog 1 cat 1 hamster and i had 2 rabbits they all lived each other on eventually got on..

Answer 10

never. the puppy will try to get along with the cats. but cats love....no one.