How can you introduce a puppy to a cat?

Answer 1

Animals are sometimes smarter than people. Most adult cats and dogs will accept a baby kitten or puppy. Keep your puppy on the leash and let the cat get use to seeing the dog (while in the house.) Make sure your cat has somewhere high they can jump too like a high scratching post or table where the puppy can't bother it. Then let the puppy loose. The cat will often give the puppy a swat (no claws out) and the puppy knows enough to back off. Some cats may give a scratch or two to the puppy, but generally never dangerous. This is a good learning curve for the puppy and it won't take long before the two are getting along. I have a cat and two dogs and I had to introduce my dogs to our cat and that's how I did it and it only took 2 hours. Answer I introduced my kittens with my inlaw's little puppy (they're about same size). They first showed the sign of being nervous and such, then they also simulated swatting the dog (like slapping his cheek, sorta), then started cornering the puppy and tailing it and stalking it... But soon enough the kittens got tired because the puppy was too energetic and was running around EVERYWHERE in the house (going up and down the stairs three floors do get tiresome for them), and soon they accepted that even if they don't like the puppy, they'll live with it. Oh, and the puppy ate the kitty's food and drank out of their bowls and my kittens were such cowards, they just kept meowing and angry growling, but no show of attacks or hisses or anything like that. They just kinda came running back to me and started meowing with sad faces (that's how I found out puppy was eating their food), so I just gave them more food and they were happy again.

Answer 2

The most important thing is to have a well trained dog that will not bark at the cat. If the dog doesn't bark, the cat will not run away (as much). If the cat doesn't run, the dog won't chase it. They will learn to get along much faster that way. A kitten will adjust easier than a cat. Best is to get a 6 week old kitten and a 6 week old puppy at the same time.

Answer 3

Some good tips: Bring in the new cat without your older cat knowing. Keep the cats separated for about two weeks in separate places of the house. Keep the doors closed and don't let your older cat find out about the new one. Let the older cat find out about the new one by itself so that she doesn't get jealous. When they look calm to you, let them visit each other for very short periods while you are supervising them. If they hiss, scratch fuss, etc., separate them and keep them like that for a few days. Then try again. When they act nicely together make the visits longer. If after doing all this for a while they refuse to get along contact your vet.

You must also pay attention to feromones. Cats are territorial and they mark their territory with urine or their scent glands. The new cat will study these "signature", so will the older cat, so they'll be aware there's someone else in that house. Sometimes they accept newcomers, sometimes not. My present tomcat has managed to drive away his very own twin brother, whereas others adopted the new cats. It depends on their personality. Good luck!

Answer 4

A successful intro between a cat and dog usually requires a little bit of planning and may require several sessions. Before introductions are made, both animals need to feel safe and be in a calm state. The dog needs to be responsive to the handler's commands at all times. To make this easier, a refresher course in basic training commands for the dog before the introduction is attempted is a good idea. If at any time during the intro the dog is not in a calm and obedient state, the training needs to stop until it is restored. A physical barrier, such as a gate, between the two animals is ideal for initial introductions. An "escape route" to a safe place should be available at all times to the cat and the dog should remain leashed to the handler. Take introductions slow and pay attention to both the dog and cat's body language. Signs of stress in the cat are usually obvious, such as hissing, “bottle brush" tail, arched back, and backing away from the encounter. As for the dog, behaviors such as barking, lunging, and raised hackles, are obvious signs of an excited state. Other red flags may not be as obvious such as a rigid body, hard set eyes, intense staring, and slow and deliberate movements. If a dog is not receptive to correction, calmly walk away with dog, restore a calm state, and try again when both animals are receptive. Make positive associations with the new relationship such as sharing meals and doing training sessions at the barrier. Once the animals are comfortable with interactions at the barrier, you can gradually raise the gate until no barrier is needed. You can drop the leash if the dog is calm, but keep it attached for a quick grab if needed. A dog that is good with cats will initially most likely want to avoid or have very little interest in the cat. Never restrain the cat or force a relationship. Overall, a calm and slow approach with a lot of patience is best. For more information on this subject, please see the below article. http://dogs.answers.com/dog-behavior/introducing-a-dog-and-cat

Answer 5

First, make sure the new cat is free of diseases. Have him vet-checked. Get all necessary shots, etc.

The cat who has already been living in the home is given priority. Put the new cat in a separate room with the door closed; they will get used to each other's scent by smelling each other under the door. After a few days to a week, hold the door open a crack and let them touch noses. Expect some growling and hissing, but be ready to close the door quickly. Do not end separation, even if they act cordially; cats can take several minutes to react negatively.

After a few days of letting them see each other through a cracked door with you there, try to create a "fence" in the doorway with a baby gate. Let them see and smell each other for 15-20 minutes at a time, with a barrier.

Once they are both acting calmer, bring the resident cat into the new cat's room -- but only with you there. You will act as protector, defender, referee, and bouncer. If they act too testy, get your resident cat back out and close the new cat back in its room. Try again another day.

It can also help during this time to switch cat bedding, so each cat smells the other cat; switch every couple days so there's a strong scent.

You can also trade litterboxes, or at least at a "present" -- i.e. use a scoop to pick up formed stool from one cat's box and put it in the other cat's box, and vice versa. Cats "greet" by butt-smelling so the litterbox droppings make a great calling card introduction. But, be sure neither cat is ill or has worms because nosing another cat's excrement is a sure way to pass illnesses between cats.

Once both cats seem to be accepting each other, start allowing the new cat into the main living space. Now your role will be to reinforce your original cat's right to be dominant, and act as protector/referee to both cats. You may need to help the new cat through its fears or insecurities too. Your goal, though, is to eventually have the two figure out the alpha-cat position on their own, to set rules together for how they behave toward each other, and what each will tolerate. To that end, you may need to allow spats, as long as no one is getting hurt.

Note, it is really important that the original cat not feel overly fearful. After all, it was his or her home, first. Help your original cat feel loved, special, and secure as if your "first born child" while helping him or her become more accepting of the other cat.

In the best intros, both cats either react like "who cares" or they love each other quickly. Unfortunately, with cats there are few best intros. Much more often, cats have to go through the growl-hiss-spat phase before they agree to be friends.

Answer 6

Introduce them slowly in a controlled environment, providing positive reinforcement for calm behavior. Allow them to get used to each other's scent before direct interaction. Supervise their interactions closely and separate them if needed to prevent any aggression.

Answer 7

You put them in separate cages and if your dog doesn't like your cat then u hold your dog and your cat and make sure they don't fight then you'll be good