How to introduce a puppy to a cat’s household

There’s nothing quite like having your own animal kingdom at home. But introducing a puppy to a cat’s home isn’t always smooth sailing.

Here are some expert opinions on how you can gently and carefully introduce your dog to a cat’s environment.

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1. Find out your dog’s history

Let’s address the elephant in the room. Dogs chase cats sometimes, and it’s not always playful.

Despite popular opinion, some dog breeds are naturally good with cats.

If your puppy’s breed isn’t prone to chasing and even fighting cats, then lucky you! You might not have to stress too much.

But, if they’re from a hunting breed, like the Hound, they might see your cats as prey.

Some of these hunting breed dogs can still get along with their feline counterparts, with a little extra patience though.

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On the other hand, some dogs are just born to chase anything that moves – whether from a hunting breed or not.

These subtle differences can make a real difference when you’re playing matchmaker.

So make sure you really know your dog, and take your time when paring up pets.

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2. Prepare a place

When you first bring your puppy home, it’s good to create a special space just for them.

Try not to grant your puppy unrestricted access to the entire house in the beginning.

Ideally, this area would have a direct outdoor access point for potty training and playtime, but it’s not an absolute requirement.

This way your cat has everything they need in a separate space away from the new roommate, slowly easing them into the idea.

The goal is to make your cat know it’s not being replaced, there’s simply a new member coming into the family.

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3. Scent training

Here’s an easy trick you can try when introducing a puppy to your cat.

Put a towel under the dog’s food bowl or on their bed when you first bring them home.

Do the same for your cat. It would take about  24 hours for the towels to start smelling like each animal.

Then, switch them without washing them. This makes your pets associate the scents with safety and normalcy.

Your pets probably already smelled a new person in the house and this will just speed up the acceptance process.

Do this for as long as needed, as long as each pet is at ease.

4. Supervised play-time

Once your pets have grown a bit more comfortable, it’s time to initiate the first meeting. Here’s an easy exercise to help you plan the first date.

Put the puppy on a leash and bring it to a room near a door that can close in front of you. Use food or attention to lure the cat to this spot, too.

It makes more sense to have two people, one in charge of the puppy and the other in charge of the cat on the other side of the room.

To make sure they’re comfortable, both animals should be kept at a fair distance and observed.

These first visits should last no longer than a minute.

You can increase their time together gradually. Keep the dog on a leash at all times.

You want the dog to ignore the cat so use treats, toys, and attention to keep the dog entertained.

Make the dog used to the cat’s presence so that it seems normal NOT to chase it.

5. Reward good behaviour

Always reward the puppy when it ignores the cat or pays the cat calm attention.

If it is gently sniffing the cat, he deserves praise for his good behavior. A treat and maybe even a hug at his own level.

You don’t want to encourage lunging or prolonged staring, though.

Don’t put a treat in your dog’s mouth to try to divert them if they are fixed attentively on the cat.

Instead, ask them to do a simple trick THEN give them a treat or to simply look at you.

Also, don’t forget about your cat. Give your cat goodies and attention when the dog is around. This helps to lessen any puppy-related fear they may have.

It’s also important to remember to remain calm and patient when introducing a puppy to your cat.

As with any other pet journey, it will take time for your pet to adjust and adapt to the new environment, and way of doing things.

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This article was compiled with the help of Artificial Intelligence