Dogs and cats

[NinjaPony]

What is the best way of introducing a puppy to a house with a 7 year old established cat- very spoilt! Puppy would only grow to be about the same weight as the cat so very small- a papillon/phalene. I don't want my cat upset too much if I can help it. Thanks

 

[Britestar]

Cat will put puppy in its place very quickly. Only allow them together under supervision to start.

In my house, cats rule and the dog knows his place!

 

[CorvusCorax]

Utilise stair/door gates and crates to give the cat a chance to get away/have some peace away from annoying puppy
Don't force contact if it isn't comfortable for either of them, take your time.

 

[emm0r]

My cat (sadly not with us anymore) was given the spare room as his own cat bedroom when we got our puppy! This was made a no dog area. They were allowed to play together when supervised and only aslong as Cara didn't get excited (I have a 1yo son too, so having a big bouncy bargey rottweiler would not be fun) crate training was a godsend and the dog and cat were best of friends.

 

[Honey08]

Utilise stair/door gates and crates to give the cat a chance to get away/have some peace away from annoying puppy
Don't force contact if it isn't comfortable for either of them, take your time.

Yes, this. Exactly what we did. The cat was fed and slept beyond the stairgate, but could come through it whenever it wanted until it got used to the new dog. We also gave the cat a lot of fuss.

 

[NikkiF]

I had cats all my working life, always promising myself a dog when retired. Once this happened I had 1 cat left, an elderly 17 yr old who spent most of her time sleeping on my bed.

Fell for a dog at local rescue centre, the day I brought her home, we walked into the house and to my horror the cat was sound asleep in the middle of new dog bed! Actually the best thing that could have happened as she sat up and swiped Maisie round the nose, who was immediately put in her place

They became good friends though.