....but we already have 2 cats. They are about 1.5 years old.
What's the best way to introduce them to the new puppy??
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Aww! I don't have cats, but just wanted to say congratulations!
Hope to see pictures soon!!
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How big is your place? When we first adopted our cat we knew that the introduction was very important. If you don't do this right it can cause you a ton of headaches down the road. It should be a bit easier for you because it will be a pup - so much less intimidating.
I would segregate (closed doors, baby gates..etc)for a while so they can get used to the smell of each other / use positive reinforcement for the cats and then slowly allow contact when everything seems kosher.
What kind of dog?
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@babyjmama: thanks!
@REESE: we have a decent sized house, it's 1300 sq ft 3 bedrooms and 2 floors and a basement. We plan on putting up a baby gate and keeping the puppy in the kitchen for awhile, just because I'm sure accidents are going to happen!It's a chocolate lab/Australian cattle dog mix. He's 2.5 months old, and already weighs 25 lbs!
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@babyjmama: once we get him ill put pictures up for too!
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@MrsBrewer: omg love it! please post a picture when you can!
Oh okay! I only ask the size of your house to see if it would be easier for you to segregate at first .. but obv no problem there
Have you cats been around a dog before?
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@REESE: nope never. One cat is very outgoing, but my other cat is VERY timid and skiddish around people other than DH and I. So I'm just trying to find ideas to make the transition the easiest!
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Subscribing to this! We have a skiddish cat but want a dog in the near future. Interested in hearing some ideas! Congrats on the puppy
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@MrsBrewer: Our dog was older when we introduced our cat (adopted feral) so it was a long and slow process but now they get along great (aside from her jumping on him while he sleeps but it is all in good fun)
If one of your cats is skittish I would first put the dog in another room where the door is closed.. That alone will be a lot for the cats to take in. They will know something is different already by the smell and sounds. Give them a bit to get used to it and then perhaps put a gate... the issue with the gate is you need to know that the cats are at a stage that they wont harm the dog. Cats can easily jump baby gates as you know, so it is important that when they are close to the dog they feel comfortable enough not to scratch when startled.
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@REESE: great idea about the separate rooms! I will have to make sure we do that. I do t think our cats will harm the dog at all, they are declawed, although I guess they could still bite. I just dont want the dog to hurt the cats!
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@MrsBrewer: Exciting!!!
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@MrsBrewer: Good luck! very exciting
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I agree with @REESE: that is a good way to start out. There are things similar to air fresheners at pet stores, called Feliway Dissfusers, I would plug one (or more) of those in where your cats hang out (there are usually really good coupons on the Feliway website). They release calming pheromones to relax the kitties.
Expect it to get harder before it gets easier. The first few days with a new pet can be similar to bringing a new baby home.
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@MrsBrewer: OMG that puppy is going to be SO cute. I love Australian shepherds-- there are a couple on my block and they are so cute and friendly, and who doesn't love chocolate labs??
I've never gotten pets used to each other like that, but I think it really helps that the cats can easily get away from the dog-- jump over gates, onto a higher surface, or whatever. My dog sometimes stays with BIL and his GF, who have 2 cats, and the 2 cats totally boss him around. He's pretty submissive anyway, but it works well since they can just get away if he annoys them. One did punch him in the face the first time they met though-- he has claws and didn't use them, so we assume it was just asserting his dominance, not actually trying to hurt my dog. It worked.
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@Foodnerd81: the puppies are SOOO cute! They are all brown and have a white tippd tail! They look like little pudge balls right now!
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I definitely agree to isolate the dog at first. I would think a method similar to introducing one cat to another would work. Your cats need to feel like the house is still "theirs". If they feel their territory threatened, they wont do well.
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Shamelessly bumping this for more tips for the M-F hellobee-ers
@zippylef: I've read that in a couple places now that you have to make sure that the house still feels like theirs. I guess how can I really achieve that though? Do I do anything out of the ordinary besides keeping the dog in one part of the house at first?
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Aww I cant wait to see pics!
I have to do this all the time with my cats and because I foster dogs. Letting both sniff through a door is a great way to start out. Just make sure the first few times you are around when introducing and what not. Knock on wood I have not had a incident with my cats (4) and a dog I bring into the home. Worst I have had is a dog got a little too excited and the/ a cat felt threatened and swated at the dog.
Being a puppy you have pretty good luck. You have time to teach and train that chasing cats is not OK etc...Best of luck and keep us updated on the addition to your family.
Hope to see pictures soon!!
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