introducing a dog?

[elliegirl12]

hiya i am looking at geting a puppy and i have just been told that because i already have two cats they will run away if i get a puppy they r only 7months old so still young has anyone done this before? any tips or anything , the cats are very freindly! thanks

 

[bithiah]

went throgh this myself not long ago keeped my cat in but made sure he had lots of places he could go where the dogs couldn't . cat soon found out he was a bit smarter than the dogs and was running rings around them. found a stair gate very helpfull. they now all sleep together in a big heap at night time. good luck

 

[TheBlackMoth]

I have seven cats and it took a few months but they all accept each other fine now. They all rub noses and walk around together with no problem. I had some younger cats and they accepted the puppies straight away.

You just need to try and stop the dog chasing the cats - ours did but we let them know that it was not ok immediately. To be honest they still do occasionally but the cats don't worry they just jump up out of their way. Even my very grumpy British Shorthair (Pudding) accepts the dogs, I caught her asleep on the sofa with one of the dogs last week.

 

[CAYLA]

As mentioned...the most important aspect of a cat dog introduction is to allow the cat the escape the situation should itfeel the need...ideally if you a getting a puppy...a crate would be a good way to introduce them and help you train the puppy at the same time, i.e toilet and keeping him from bad habits(chewing) anyway, this means the puppy can get used to the cat from the safety of the crate and vice versa with the cat...the more familiar the puppy is with the sight of the crate the less likely it is to chase and pester when out of the crate.

When you want to let the puppy out with you....it will no doubt pay attention to the cat, who will by this time be used to the smell/sound and presence of the puppy, a baby gate is also a good idea....agin acts as a barrier whilst they are getting used to the presence of each other.

I usually baby gate the kitchen...and feed my cats on the stairs..so the dogs can see them when they are relaxed and not running around...as when they move they are more likely to want to chase

by the time they meet

with no barrier...the cats are already old news

 

[elliegirl12]

ok great thanks everyone so just to rembember to put puppy in crate so cat can get smell on him and so dog cant chase them! and make sure cats have escape route