Hi

I have a 6 year old house cat. I have just bought a Dalmatian puppy which I have to pick up on Sunday. I am starting to get really nervous now the day getting closer as I don't want my cat to feel pushed out.

The decision to buy the Dalmatian puppy has not been easy to make, it has taken 2 years as I have been worried about the cat, but I really wanted another Dalmatian as I lost my last one 6 years ago.

I have read loads of advice about introducing cats to puppies.

This should be a exciting time but I just feel sick and worried, any advice from people who have had to introduce there cat to the new puppy would be great.

Thanks

Just shows what a lovely caring owner you are IMO no one ever takes on another animal to add to their family with out some of these thoughts if they love their animals.

I would say try not to worry too much normally in my experience things are never quite as bad as you imagine they will be and the animals find their own way round things leaving us standing by wondering why we worried so much.

Very good luck with the new arrival and don't forget to come back and let us know how they get on because I bet they will be great friends in no time.

Thanks for replying so quickly. I will let you know how it goes.

Make sure the cat can easily get out of puppy's way - places he can climb to that puppy can't. Consider a child-gate to completely exclude it from part of the house so cat can get some peace. Puppys just want to play, but an older cat may not be so keen!

cheers for the advice bought a child-gate and a crate as the puppy already been crate trained.

Yes, make sure puss has somewhere high that she can comfortably perch. Be prepared for puss to throw a huff though for a week or so.

Make sure puss gets fed first and separately / not accessible by puppy.

i understand your anxieties , its not like your bringing a new pup and new kitten together for the first time , to be brought up together ,

your six yr old cat will already be set in her ways.

only you will no your cat's previous exposure with dogs , and your cat's tolerance levels .

as others have said , pup will be wanting to innocently play 24/7 .

last thing he needs will be one of his eyes scratching out.

i personally would be very weary

best not take any more advice from any of us ,,,,,,,,, only YOU know your cat

You'll have a hectic few weeks while the pup settles in but in my experience, it's easier introducing a resident adult cat to a puppy than to an adult dog new to the house. However I've done all combinations over the years and the advice you've already had is spot on about giving the cat somewhere high to escape and also able to go into another room or upstairs without being followed.

I'd make sure that the cat has a litter tray upstairs (or wherever she tends to go for a bit of peace) and as far as you can, if she goes out, make sure she can do so without having to get past the puppy. Equally, make sure she can come back in safely and that the pup doesn't guard the catflap or whatever and prevent her coming home.

I speak from experience about the litter tray - we had a litter of pups and the existing cat was appalled when they began to play in the hall which was where her cat flap was. As she wasn't prepared to go past them, she returned upstairs and, as I stood there, she did an enormous pee in the middle of our duvet. But, it was my fault for not considering her needs sufficiently.

You may have to make sure the cat doesn't assert its territory by taking over the dog cage - if you see her in it, shoo her out.

Good luck, it'll be great!

@molliepops here a link to a few pics of the puppy.

https://instagram.com/mattya1989/

Gorgeous pup. How's the situation with the cat?

I'm in love!

The cat has been really good with the dog so far so fingers cross it stays that way.

That's good. I'm glad it's working out okay.

When I first got my dog as a puppy the cat was not at all happy. It was really hard for about a month and I really thought I was going to have rehome the dog...but taking advice from my vet and the local rescue centre I persevered...and after about a month the cat started to accept her and now they are the best of friends.