Often aloof and always self-interested, cats rule the castle, at least in our home they do! When bringing home a new puppy, some cats will enjoy meeting their new servant. However, most will be annoyed at the rambunctiousness of the new beast. Don’t fret, though, cats can learn to love a new puppy. The key is introducing them slowly and managing their interactions as they build a relationship. Here are our top tips on introducing your new puppy to their feline overlord.
Manage the Baby Beast
Puppies should not have free reign of the house. Not only does it make housebreaking impossible, your cat will need to be able to have space away from your puppy. Chasing is often the biggest annoyance. Some cats may stand their ground and swat at the pup, but not all puppies will back off at that point and may actually find it to be more of a game. The best thing you can do is keep your puppy tethered as the cat is wandering around. This allows your cat to easily get away if they are uncomfortable. When your puppy is not tethered, use a baby gate to block off the room, so your cat can still move to separate rooms without being chased.
Let the Overlord Observe their Kingdom
Because chasing tends to be the biggest stressor for cats, it is important that the kitty has multiple opportunities to find space away from the puppy. However, cats are curious. They will want to observe and check out the new puppy and all the new puppy supplies. If you do not already have one, purchase a cat tree and place it in the room where you spend most of the time with your puppy. Your cat will be able to observe the baby beast and judge all the new toys and interactions from above.
Bring Offerings to the Overlord
Food and treats should be used to your advantage for both dog and cat. Feed their meals together to build a positive association with each other. Tether your puppy so he does wander towards the cat food, but they should be within 6ft of each other. If your cat has a hard time eating at this proximity, try feeding them on the cat tree.
You should also use treats to reinforce appropriate behaviors with each animal. For example, if your cat is a bit shy around the puppy, give them a treat whenever they approach or look at the puppy. On the other hand, use treats to keep your puppy calm as the cat comes near. After the first few interactions, you’ll want to shape the puppy not chasing the cat and take the opportunity to teach your puppy the “leave it” command.
How to Tell if the Overlord is Displeased
A common question we are asked is how to tell if the cat is playing or trying to get away because cats do play by running, vocalizing, and even swatting! There is a simple answer – it depends on whether the cat comes back to interact with the puppy again. A cat that is cornered by the puppy and cannot find relief will need help. However if your cat jumps out of reach of the puppy and then goes back to them a few seconds later, the cat is probably enjoying the interaction. Another easy way to tell if your cat is playing is based on the vocalizing. They may meow or yowl a bit in play, but hissing is a big sign that they are not enjoying the interaction.
The Baby Beast will need to Earn the Overlord’s Trust
The last step in introducing your new puppy to their feline overlord. It will take time, up to a few months, for your cat to feel completely comfortable around the puppy. For a while, every interaction will need to be supervised and your puppy will need to be separated from the cat when you are not in the room. Puppies with a strong prey drive might have a harder adjustment. Also, cats that have never met a dog will probably hide a bit more. You just need to be both pet’s best advocate, encouraging appropriate interactions with treats and separating the two when the cat has had enough.
We’re here to help
Do you need help in introducing your new puppy to their feline overlord? Or do you have any behavioral concerns or would like to know more about our obedience and manners training? Contact our Pet Behavior Team if you still have difficulty acclimating your puppy to their cat sibling. We can provide professional advice and discuss our training programs and training methods.
As well as providing one-on-one training sessions at your home, our co-founder and Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist, Dr. Echterling-Savage, offers Virtual Training Programs. During these virtual programs, she will connect with you to develop a personalized training plan that offers step-by-step guidance and support.
