Our cat doesn't like our new puppy?

Question

We've had the cat for about 3 years now, we got him just after he was born. We've moved house once during that period and he adapted to the indoor and the outdoor environment within 2 days.

We just bought a puppy about 6 weeks old and the cat growled and arched his back. He keeps turning his back on us and has stayed out of the house just coming back for meals and so on. The puppy is quite playful and runs at the cat a lot so I've reeled the puppy in and held him in my hand and presented him to the cat so the cat can get a proper look/smell of him but the cat usually raises his paw threateningly.

Occasionally the cat comes and has a look at the puppy from a distance when he gets higher ground but generally keeps his distance.

I would like them to get on with each other because they're in separate rooms at the moment when unsupervised in case of a fight where the puppy would clearly come off worse. Anyone with suggestions/experience of this

Answer 1

i wouldnt put ur puppy in a puppy crate because the puppy will think he/she has done something wrong to the cat if u put it in there when the cat shows aggresion, i would just let the two get on with it, i have 8 cats and 4 dogs they didnt like each other at first but as time has gone on they are the BEST OF FRIENDS i hope that helped you, the cat may sulk for a few month then he/she will settle just show both dog and cat affection, just dont favour one to the other then there would be jealousy. i really do hope that helped.

Answer 2

you have got some good answers the only other thing is could I think putting the puppy in a cage for a short period of time bring the cat in the room it will give the cat a chance to get used to the puppy and learn that its not going to hurt her. also create a safe zone in your house where the cat can go but the puppy can't so at least the cat can get away from the puppy even if this space is a cupboard with a cat flap.

P.S eventually she will probably end up the boss. all my cats have been.

Answer 3

It's natural for the cat to feel threatened by a puppy because it's a new addition into his terittory and won't smell right. You need to let them sort it out between themselves and get the "pecking" order in place so that the dog realises that the cat was here first and is therefore in charge. It may mean that the puppy will get a scratched nose, but apart from that the cat shouldn't do any damage to the puppy.

Answer 4

Give them time.

Cats are creatures of habit, and your kitty sees the puppy as an intruder and annoyance. Not to mention he's not happy about having to share you.

Your puppy is going to have to be taught not to chase the cat. That will take time, since he's so little.

Meanwhile, someone whom your kitty doesn't recognize as 'family' should handle the introductions while you're giving him extra attention. Don't worry if the cat thwaps the pup a few times: Cats are usually pretty good about not using claws when teaching lessons, and it could be that the puppy will need just that. That's what a cat I used to know did to a beagle puppy who was getting out of line- and the pup was well-mannered after that.

Good luck!

Answer 5

Cats can take awhile to get used to a new animal. As the puppy grows your cat should get used to him but may never completely accept him. Our two cats behaved differently towards our new dog. The younger played with the dog, the older ignored the dog unless the dog got on our... I mean her bed, then she would go after the dog. She got to where she let the dog on the bed sometimes, and other times would attack the dog for being on the bed.
Give your cat lots of love and attention and lots of time. The cat and puppy will eventually work out a truce. Good luck.

Answer 6

Don't worry, your kitty will adapt, it just takes a while. If the puppy is too playful, hold him sitting on the floor and see if you can get your cat to let you pet him/her while the dog is near. That way they know the dog isn't replacing them. Oh and make sure your dog doesn't think the cat is a motorized play thing. If they pick them up and shake them hard enough thats the end.
Good Luck!

Answer 7

Your cats reaction to the puppy is quite normal and over time will get better. Cats are never big on change and they take longer to adjust to new things and animals than dogs. You are going to want to train your puppy that it is not ok to run up on your cat. When they puppy runs up on him, stop him and say either "no kitty" or "leave it". When your cat raises his paw and swats at the puppy, it is his way of saying "back off". If your cat has never been exposed to dogs, chances are that it is going to take longer for him to tolerate the dog or he may never tolerate him at all. Just give them both time, patience and supervision.

Answer 8

Does the domestic dog have toys to play with? If the domestic dog became incredibly hurting the cats the cats might arise and pass away or bop the domestic dog. If all they do is meow i does no longer be troubled. How did the domestic dog chew with the aid of the muzzle? If it became the the final option length and appropriate related there isn't any way for the domestic dog to chew it. If it incredibly bothers you, attempt this. whilst the domestic dog is bothering the cat, say in a stern ( yet no longer yelling) voice NO. Then pass the domestic dog faraway from the cat. sturdy success KG

Answer 9

Put the puppy in a crate (kennel training-helps with housebreaking) -many good sites on this. Allow the cat free to roam. If the pup cannot get to her she will feel more comfortable-hopefully he will get used to him. As you see him becoming more acclimated to his presence start letting the pup out of the crate for small amounts of time under supervision. Evenutally the cat will accept this but you must give him time.

Good luck

Answer 10

1) Give your cat time.
2)Work with the puppy to not run up to the cat or chase him.
3) be patient

It took almost 7 weeks before our cat (almost 2 yrs old) accepted the cat and her two kittens we took in when our neighbors moved and left them. Just as the kittens were old enough to go to homes of their own (8 weeks old) she decided that they were OK and quit hissing at them.