How to introduce your puppy to a cat

A brand-new puppy certainly turns your home life upside down. And that goes for everyone who lives there, including your cat!

Following the trusty dog, cats are the second most common pet with 11 million living in homes across the UK (2023). With so much love for our feline friends, we’ll want them to love their furry new brother or sister as much you do. 

But with the historical and stereotypical distaste between dogs and cats, you may be worried about whether the two will live in harmony, especially when puppies can be so unpredictable! Well, one way to help ensure harmonious living is a steady and strategic introduction.

We’re here to give you all the tips and tricks on how you can go about introducing your new puppy to the cat of the house, whilst doing everything you can to help your two little fur babies get along. 

Why is an introduction between your cat and puppy so important?

When introducing any new pet to a household that already has furry inhabitants, it’s always best to take a steady and gradual approach to their introduction. 

Signs of fear and aggression in cats

First introductions may bring forth a negative reaction from your cat in the form of:

•  Hissing
• Growling
• Arching its back
• Running away to hide
  
  

However, trust, positive experiences and realising that their new furry addition isn’t a threat will help eradicate this behaviour over time. With no attention to building a relationship between your cat and new puppy, you may struggle to undo this behaviour.

With older cats that are past the kitten stage, you may need a little more time and patience. So it’s a good job we have all the information you need to make sure they get off on the right paw…

How to prepare your cat for a new puppy

Before your new puppy comes home, you have some time to prepare not only your kitty, but your home as well. This way, you can make sure you have the perfect setting for a great first impression.

If you’re soon to bring your new fur baby home, consider making the following preparations:

• Do your research. You’ll already be clued up on your cat, but bringing a new puppy into your family needs a whole new set of expertise.
  
  Before deciding on what kind of puppy to get, you can look into recommended breeds that, due to their common characteristics and temperament, are more likely to be the perfect match for your cat. It’s suggested that Pugs, Labradors, Golden Retrievers, Basset Hounds, King Charles Cavalier Spaniels and Shih Tzus are some of the most cat-friendly breeds.
  
  If you're adopting a puppy, be sure to look into their past and their reported behaviour. Are they social? Have they lived with cats before? Do they have any phobias or triggers for anxiety?

• Learning body language. Both cats and puppies can display clear, physical signs of stress or anxiety, making it a little easier to spot when things are going pear-shaped. We’ve already discussed fear and aggression signs in cats, but what about puppies?
  
  Puppies who are cowering, panting, pacing, have their ears pinned back or their tail between their legs may be experiencing some fear and stress. Learning these signs will help you adjust your introduction - stopping contact if needed to ensure a positive experience.

• Create safe spaces. To prepare for the first meetings, you should consider creating separate, private spaces. One for your kitty to retire to if things get a bit too much, and one for your pup to create some distance - especially if they're struggling to calm down when meeting their new feline brother or sister.
  
  Having two separate spaces also helps your puppy and cat to see each other without coming face to face, allowing you to take introductions nice and slow.

• Introducing smells. When visiting your pup before they officially come home, take a blanket or toy with you. This can be then brought home to your cat to introduce them to the puppy’s scent. You can do the same for your pup by introducing something that smells like your cat. This will get them both used to each other’s scent before they start sharing a home. 

• Stocking up on puppy and cat treats. Whether it’s the first meeting or a follow up, be fully prepped with plenty of treats! You want each meeting to be a positive experience for both your puppy and your cat, so high-value treats will help with positive reinforcement.
  
  If you’re looking for the perfect puppy training treat, look no further than our Puppy Jerky! Perfectly small for puppy mouths, puppy jerky is packed with delicious and nutritious ingredients like beef, rosemary and cranberries - that are great for sensitive puppy tummies.

• Keeping high-value items separate. What’s mine is yours? Maybe not when it comes to your cat and your puppy. Keep items your cat may be territorial over, such as their food and toys, in their private area. And do the same for your puppy to avoid any unwanted animosities.

• Be up-to-date with parasite prevention. It's extremely common for young puppies to carry worms and fleas. Be sure your cat and your puppy are up to date with their parasite treatment before they go near each other. 

Introducing a new puppy to your cat: step by step

When the time comes for the first meeting, remember to stay calm and have both your cat’s and your puppy’s wellbeing in mind. The key is to approach it gradually and create a positive environment, whilst following these steps. This will create the best possible first impression - setting the precedent for your puppy and cat’s future relationship.

1. Make sure both your puppy and cat are fed and exercised. Before the meeting takes place, separately feed and tire out your puppy and cat. This will eradicate any chances of resource guarding, and plus, everyone’s a bit happier once they’ve eaten!

Giving some one-on-one playtime with your cat and puppy will dispel some of that playful energy, which might not be welcomed during their first meeting. Introducing satisfied and tuckered-out fur babies will hopefully only leave room for inquisitiveness and a willingness to say hello.

2. Prepare separate areas. Create a closed-off area for your cat and one for your puppy. Give each pet a place where they can feel safe and that’s filled with things they recognise. Their toys, food and water, is a great place to start.

Plus, it gives each pet a place to retreat if things get too much.

3. Encourage the first meeting from a distance. You can use these separate areas to hold a meeting from a distance. By using a playpen or a puppy gate, you can make your cat and puppy aware of each other, without initially getting too close. This will make the very first meeting a little less daunting and help make for a positive experience. Do not hold your cat, as this makes them more nervous.

4. Gradually reduce the distance. Once your puppy and cat have happily said hello from a distance, you can gradually decrease the distance between them until they meet face-to-face. Doing this slowly gives them time to adjust and take things at their own pace.

5. Pop your puppy on a leash. The last thing you or your cat would want is your pup running wild, especially on the first meeting! It doesn’t give the best first impression, and it might urge your cat to give your pup an unfriendly welcome. 

Keep your pup on a loose leash so they don’t feel restricted. It also gives you the ability to control them if things get a bit rowdy. 

6. Let them meet under a watchful eye. Once you’ve got to the stage where you’re happy for them to meet face-to-face, be sure to let them do so under your watchful eye. This way, if anything goes sour and isn’t creating a positive experience, you can easily intervene. Having your pup on a loose leash will also help you with this.

It’ll also help you see when things are going swimmingly. It’ll help indicate how you should be approaching the next couple of meetings until they’re both completely comfortable. 

7. Keep things positive! If there’s one thing to remember throughout the entire meetings, it’s to keep everything as positive as possible! Whilst you look for their positive body language, make sure yours is the same and you’re displaying calming and positive language, praise and of course - TREATS.

How to maintain a positive relationship between your puppy and cat

If the first meetings between your puppy and the cat went well, you’ll want to keep this up as time goes on - making for a peaceful household. As peaceful as it can be with a puppy that is!

So once your puppy is settling into their new home, what can you do to maintain a happy relationship between them and the feline Lord or Lady of the manor?

You could consider the following steps:

• Keeping up separate areas.

• Letting them do things in their own time.

• Feeding them separately.

• Practicing training and commands with your pup. 

• Never forcing interactions

• Rewarding good behaviour.

If you’re looking for the perfect, high-reward treat for your older pup, that can help keep them focused and calm - look no further than our Calming Probiotic Meaty Treats. Perfect for pups 12 weeks and up, they’re packed with delicious turkey and calming hemp which can help soothe excitable and nervous behaviour.

Handling negative or unsuccessful interactions

If things do go awry, the most important thing is to keep calm. Consider keeping them separate, breaking up altercations calmly, and even calling in professional help if things aren’t improving.

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