How to Get Your Cat to Respond Well to a New Puppy

If you get a new puppy and intend to introduce it to your resident cat, you need a plan. Avoid bringing the young canine home and just letting it run amok. To do so will likely turn your cat's world upside down. If you want your cat to respond well to your new puppy, invest some time and effort into gradually allowing your feline to get used to the idea of another animal in its territory.

Things You'll Need

  • Room with a door
  • Pet or baby gate
  • Pet crate
  • Puppy leash
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Instructions

    • 1

      Confine your new puppy to a room when you first bring it home. Give him food, water and toys, and close the door. It probably will help if you or someone else stays in the room with the puppy. Allow your cat to sniff under the door and investigate the new presence in its home.

    • 2

      Put a baby gate or pet gate on the door of the puppy's room a few hours after its arrival, and open the door so the cat can see into the room. Closely monitor the interaction between puppy and cat. If either one reacts negatively, stop the introduction. If all goes well, praise your cat and puppy separately for their good behavior.

    • 3

      Place your puppy in a crate after he has been in your home for one day. Put the crate in a room with a door and call your cat into the room. Close the door and watch your cat while it sniffs the crate and becomes more familiar with the new puppy. Pet your cat to reassure it, and praise the puppy if it doesn't bark, growl or lunge at the cat.

    • 4

      Put your puppy on a leash after two or three days of letting the cat get used to the puppy while it is confined. Walk the puppy into the area where the cat is present. Do not allow the pup to get close to the cat. Keep his attention by playing with him and redirecting him. Occasionally, let him focus on the cat and sniff in its direction.

    • 5

      Let your cat come near you and the puppy, but keep tight control on the puppy's leash. Don't force the puppy on the cat. If the cat wants to make friends, it will.

    • 6

      Take your puppy off the leash, while you are supervising, as the two animals become used to one another. Teach your canine basic commands such as "Sit" and "Stay" to control its impulsive urges when your cat is in the room.