Bringing a puppy home is a time of excitement, enthusiasm, and sheer ridiculousness. After all, there is nothing quite like watching them wake up in the afternoon, fall asleep still chewing their new favorite toy, or trying to scramble up your leg when it’s too cold outside.
When you introduce this puppy into a home that already houses an adult cat, the process can get a bit more complex. However, it does not mean it can’t be done; quite the contrary.
With some foresight and a careful action plan, you can ensure your new pup and resident feline become best friends.
It’s not unlike introducing a kitten to your adult dog, but with some notable differences.
Let’s explore!
Know your cat
Before you begin the process of choosing a puppy, consider whether your adult cat would be comfortable with the idea.
Some cats love to be around dogs, some will be just fine with a puppy, others may dislike cats but be OK with dogs, but some won’t settle down with a dog in the house.
Try introducing your adult cat to other dogs first.
Have a friend bring their pet for a visit and see how they get along. Be sure to use a leash to control the dog and choose a dog you know is relaxed and unfazed around cats.
If the interaction goes well, you can start your puppy hunt.
Choose the breed carefully
Just like some cats will not get along with dogs, there are dog breeds that won’t tolerate a cat, even if you train them to live with one from a very early age.
To avoid any potential disappointments and stress, consider a dog breed you know will likely get along with cats.
Of course, no two pups are the same, but selecting a more relaxed and friendly breed will help you start off on the right foot.
Swap scents
Cats rely heavily on scents. So, suddenly adding puppy smells to their kingdom can cause unwanted stress. Instead, change one thing at a time, and slowly introduce the puppy’s scent to your cat.
If you can visit your puppy before you bring it home, take a soft cloth and stroke the dog with it. When you get home, rub the fabric at cat-height around your home, or in the room the puppy will initially use.
Focus on door frames and furniture corners—places the cat likes to rub against, too.
Once the puppy arrives, keep leaving dog-scented items around the rooms the adult cat can access, but the puppy cannot.
You can also do this in reverse, adding one of the cat’s beds or blankets to the puppy room.
Provide room for an exit
Before bringing the puppy home, reorganize your space to suit the cat.
Provide shelves they can climb up to if they need to escape the puppy, and use a barrier to allocate space for the new member of your family where the cat won’t enter for a while.
Make sure your furry feline east uses this space. Ensure their litter and bowls are not moved, and they can still sleep in their favorite spots.
If you live in a small space, you can use baby gates to separate the new dog from the adult cat, at least initially.
Even when you introduce them, provide an exit route for the cat—an open door, cat trees, or another surface to climb onto.
Wait a while
Try not to execute your introduction process on the very first day.
Wait as much as a week or even several weeks if you can.
This will allow the puppy to settle in and feel less threatened by the new space and the other animal.
When making the introduction, make sure both animals are calm.
A good time for dogs is after a walk or vigorous playtime. Don’t wake the cat up—time the event for it to be already awake, but not too playful.
Keep the puppy on their leash or in its crate so the cat does not feel threatened.
Prevent the puppy from chasing the cat. Once established, this can be a difficult habit to break, and the cat will certainly not like it.
Don’t try to force your adult cat to do anything.
They need to feel in complete control. Let them get close to the puppy at their own pace and reward positive behavior in both parties with treats and praise.
Distract the puppy with a toy or a treat so the cat has time to explore without interference from your new pet.
Watch for signs of stress
Introducing a puppy to your household can be exciting, but it can also be stressful for your cat. Be sure the cat always has access to its own space.
Understanding how to recognize signs of stress in your feline friend is essential for ensuring a smooth transition.
Here are some tips to help you identify and address stress in your cat during this process:
Changes in behavior: Watch for signs like hiding, increased aggression, or avoidance of interaction. If your cat suddenly becomes more reclusive or exhibits territorial behavior, it might feel stressed.
Vocalizations: Increased meowing, growling, or hissing can indicate distress. If your cat is vocalizing more than usual, assess the situation.
Physical symptoms: Stress can manifest physically in cats. Look out for excessive grooming, loss of appetite, or changes in litter box habits. If your cat is over-grooming or refusing to eat, it may feel anxious.
Body language: A cat’s body language can tell much about its emotional state. Signs of stress include flattened ears, a twitching tail, or a crouched posture. It may be stressed if your cat seems tense or avoids eye contact.
Withdrawal: Observe if your cat spends more time alone or seems uninterested in their usual activities. Withdrawing from play and interaction can indicate your cat is discomfort with the new puppy.
Keep going
You want that initial meeting to be positive and short. If either animal gives you any positive body language signs, that’s great. Wrap it up and do it again the next day.
If either appears anxious or threatened, return to scent swapping and try again.
Keep your initial meetings short and positive until the two show signs of spending time together without incident.
Then you can have them in the same room, ideally sleeping. Ensure you never devote all your attention to just one of them and don’t force them to act in a certain way (especially for your cat).
The more they get used to each other, the more time they will spend together without it being a big deal, and you’ll soon find they are happy to keep each other company.
Maintain a safe space for each pet. Keep your puppy away from your cat’s food and water bowls, especially its litter box.
Ensure your puppy doesn’t show any signs of aggression and maintains calm behavior.
To sum up
The first introductions are crucial. You want their initial interaction to be positive.
With patience and perseverance, you should be able to introduce your puppy to your adult cat without the situation being too stressful.
Remember that animals take many cues from their owners, so the calmer you are, the easier it will be on them, too.
Julia Robson is the proud owner of two Chocolate Labradors, making every morning much more exciting. She’s also a runner and writer; you can find some of her stuff at Dogs Planet.