Introducing new puppy to cats
Discussion
Apologies if this has been covered before but I’m bringing home a new black lab puppy in about five weeks and I’m interested to know how best to introduce her to our two cats. Both cats are a little timid, one especially so. How long might it be before I can leave the three of them alone without the cats either attempting to murder their new step-sister or leaving home forever? And what tips do you have to make the introduction as smooth as possible?
Hopefully your puppy breeder has a cat already so the puppy will be familiar with the concept. I would just bring the pupppy in and let them get on with it, leaving a means of escape for the cats (ie don't shut them in the room together).
You don't mention how old your cats are but ours gave our springer spaniel a few hisses and a swipe or two after he chased them too boisterously and he learnt his lesson pretty quick
You don't mention how old your cats are but ours gave our springer spaniel a few hisses and a swipe or two after he chased them too boisterously and he learnt his lesson pretty quick
itsnotarace said:
Hopefully your puppy breeder has a cat already so the puppy will be familiar with the concept. I would just bring the pupppy in and let them get on with it, leaving a means of escape for the cats (ie don't shut them in the room together).
You don't mention how old your cats are but ours gave our springer spaniel a few hisses and a swipe or two after he chased them too boisterously and he learnt his lesson pretty quick
They’re both around six years. They were rescue cats so we’re not sure of their actual birth date. Thanks for your advice. You don't mention how old your cats are but ours gave our springer spaniel a few hisses and a swipe or two after he chased them too boisterously and he learnt his lesson pretty quick
Height. Give the cats lots of height to look down on the new arrival.
Don't expect too much too soon. It can take a long time for them to rub along together. Be realistic, it maybe that they'll never get along.
Keep the intros short and sweet to start with and then build up over time.
Lots of reward for the puppy when in the presence of cats when behaving. Lots of love for the cats when in the presence of the pup.
Good luck.
Don't expect too much too soon. It can take a long time for them to rub along together. Be realistic, it maybe that they'll never get along.
Keep the intros short and sweet to start with and then build up over time.
Lots of reward for the puppy when in the presence of cats when behaving. Lots of love for the cats when in the presence of the pup.
Good luck.
If possible keep them separated for a day or two, but allow them to see and smell each other.
We have glass doors downstairs and were able to keep the puppy away from the cat but they could still see each other.
have had mixed households for over 20 years and never had any major cat/dog problems.
Cat/cat can be a different scenario.
Good luck. Photos please.
We have glass doors downstairs and were able to keep the puppy away from the cat but they could still see each other.
have had mixed households for over 20 years and never had any major cat/dog problems.
Cat/cat can be a different scenario.
Good luck. Photos please.
garythesign said:
If possible keep them separated for a day or two, but allow them to see and smell each other.
We have glass doors downstairs and were able to keep the puppy away from the cat but they could still see each other.
have had mixed households for over 20 years and never had any major cat/dog problems.
Cat/cat can be a different scenario.
Good luck. Photos please.
We’ll be putting up a barred pet gate to separate the two animal areas, so lots of sightings and smells will be possible. We have glass doors downstairs and were able to keep the puppy away from the cat but they could still see each other.
have had mixed households for over 20 years and never had any major cat/dog problems.
Cat/cat can be a different scenario.
Good luck. Photos please.
Don’t worry about photos, I’ll be taking thousands! Thanks for the advice. I’ve only just discovered this pets/animals area on PH. Animals and cars in one spot. The internet doesn’t get any better!
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