When you adopt a puppy, chances are that they’re not the first animal you have adopted. If you have a cat at home, you’ll need to properly introduce your animals to one another to avoid any disasters. Here are some tips to get you started:
Match their personalities
If you want your dog and cat to get along for an extended period of time, then you’ll want to match their personalities. For instance, a hyperactive dog with a laid-back cat will likely get on each other’s nerves. However, if both your dog and cat are playful, then they’ll likely get along much better than they would otherwise.
Separate them in the beginning
When you first bring your new dog or cat home, be sure to separate them for the first few days. Rotate which animal has freedom and which one is confined to allow both animals to explore and investigate each other’s scents.
First introductions
After the first few days, your animals should be calm enough to meet each other face-to-face. When this occurs, keep your dog on a leash and watch each animal’s behavior. If there is any anxiety, fear, or aggression in either animal, keep them separated a while longer and introduce them again. Do this until both animals are calm and go about their daily business while in the same room.
Train your dog
To help your cat feel safe, it’s best to teach your dog basic commands to keep them under control. “Sit,” “stay,” and “leave it” are all commands that might come in handy if your dog is getting a bit rowdy around your cat.
Whether it’s a lovable French bulldog or an energetic Cockapoo, if you’ve adopted a puppy from Family Puppies and are looking for ways to introduce them to your other pets, then contact us today with any questions or concerns you may have.
