[jpperry]

Hi everyone, I have a question that I am sure has been asked before so I am sorry I didn't use the search function. Anyway, my wife and I are bringing a puppy home (8 weeks) this weekend. We are looking for help on how to introduce the new puppy and our current cat. Our cat is a lap cat with my wife and I, can't stand being away from us, but when visitors come over she turns evil. Also, when ever she sees other cats outside through the window (she is an indoor cat) she turns evil, only for other cats though. Squirrels and birds and rabbits she just chatters at, also, she have never gotten upset when she sees a dog outside, she really doesn't react to dogs being outside. Anyway, we are worried we will never see the cat again when we bring the puppy home. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[Sashmom]

I went thru this 9 yrs ago when I brought Sash home. My cat HATED dogs! She hid in my bedroom for 3 days and wouldnt come out lol she finally came out, Sash (3 mo old) walked up to her, she scratched his nose and that set the tone, she was alpha over him from then on and I even left them in the house alone together. I always trusted them together. Always leave a door to a room open for your cat in case that prey drive/want to chase thing kicks in but trust me, my cat was spoiled, wasnt used to dogs but she liked Sash, thought he was OK for a dawg lol Your cat might hide out for awhile but she will get over it and come out and finally face the new pack member.

 

[StGeorgeK9]

just check for kitty poop in your shoes..........I dont know about yours, but I have one cat that believes in getting even...........

 

[jdp2134]

i have two cats and 4wks ago brought home my pup. Try putting him in his crate and bring and hold the cat so they can sniff him and vice versa dont hold the cat for too long though. The cat will probobly hide for a couple a days.

Make sure u watch them win the cat is downstairs and also get a baby gate. If the dog pushes the line the cat will let him know it with a swat to his face. My pup nipped my youngest cat twice and both times she turned around and batted him (shes not hurt physcially or emotionally) and now he is better at leaving them alone now but sometimes still goes after them just because he is too stubborn for his own good lol.

 

[jpperry]

Thanks for all of the advice.

Joe

 

[BlackGSD]

Originally Posted By: jdp2134

Make sure u watch them win the cat is downstairs and also get a baby gate. If the dog pushes the line the cat will let him know it with a swat to his face.

Be VERY carefull letting the pup get swatted by the cat if it has its claws. Cat claws and puppy eyes do NOT mix well. Besides the fact that swatting the "wrong" puppy can cause the cat to get bitten.

 

[Gunnarsmum]

Gunner is coming home in 8 days and my cat just turned a year. He won't interact with them at first and gradually as the days go by, he'll start pouncing them and run. Then eventually the new members of the family become his little toys. My cat doesn't slap them though, he just hisses and walks away.

 

[jdp2134]

very true blackgsd i failed to mention that. i will say 90% of the time a leave it command works or i just get his attention off of them and redirect him

 

[jpperry]

Since we brought Schumi home on Saturday, pictures to come soon, I figured I would give a quick update as to how things are going with Piper the cat:

At the initial meeting Piper just made herself look as big as possible, Schumi showed a little bit of interest in her but didn't chase, bark, make noise at or anything and then got bored with sniffing and following. Piper didn't hiss or swat, big surprise to us, and has just kind of stuck to her area of the house. She is a little jealous but isn't hiding or being mean to us, so things went pretty good all in all. At night they both sleep in our bedroom, Schumi in his crate and Piper on the bed and wherever else she goes at night.

Thanks again for all the advice.

Joe