How to Introduce a Puppy to a Cat
One of the biggest misconception is that cat and dogs can’t live together. But, if you introduce a puppy to your house with a cat, it takes careful planning and patience in order to make it go smooth. Also, the introduction process needs to be done slowly and step-by-step.
If you will be buying a puppy and taking it home, consider separating the puppy first from your cat through placing it in an adjacent room which is separated by a door. Just make sure that you are going to provide your cat with its basics like its toys, foods, water, perches, litter box and others more. Doing this will help both your puppy and cat to become used in hearing as well as smelling each other without risk of direct interactions during such sensitive times.
If you will consider placing a towel or blanket and have the scent of your puppy in the room with your cat, this will be able to help in easing up the transition. You also may place a towel or blanket with the scent of your cat in the room with the puppy. Using pheromone products will also be able to help in easing the transition for your puppy and cat.
At this time, you have to make sure that you spend some time bonding with every pet individually. Give both of them the time to become relax and comfortable in their own areas.
Once that both of them are relaxed on the current situation, you then should switch their positions. You need to allow your puppy in occupying the room to where your cat had been and your cat occupying the room to where the puppy stayed. Consider switching their rooms several times on the time of the introductory period.
Once both your cat and puppy are comfortable on their scents, introduce them face to face later on. However, you need to first put a barrier in between them. Put the cat in a large open sided carrier or you could use a baby gate to which the cat can’t get over or under.
You have to reward your puppy when it stays calm and quiet when near your cat. Make sure to avoid letting your puppy harass or letting it chase the cat. Take note that bad behavior should not be allowed, but avoid punishes in case there are lapses that accidentally occurred because it could create an unwanted response between pets.
For most cases, your puppy and cat will accept each other and could become friends in time. Take note that every situation is different and it is really important to consider assessing their reactions well before you allow them both to remain together.