I had to say goodbye to my sweet 4-year-old pitbull due to a spinal injury. She got along great with my cats. Now, I’ve adopted a 5-month-old puppy who was well socialized with various fosters and is friendly with cats. My cats, however, are not adjusting well. They all ran outside and won’t come back. I have three cats: my black one is slowly warming up, while the other two are staying away. It’s getting cold and I need them inside before it rains. What should I do?
You need to introduce them slowly and keep them apart most of the time until they get used to each other.
San said:
You need to introduce them slowly and keep them apart most of the time until they get used to each other.
How can I do that if they’re all outside? Should I let them stay outside and introduce them there or bring them back inside and put them in a spare room?
@PetPalaver
Keep the cats inside to keep them safe from outside dangers. You can put them in a room until they feel comfortable. It’s best to always keep cats indoors unless you’re on a farm.
Could the puppy smell like the other cats from the last foster home?
Marlow said:
Could the puppy smell like the other cats from the last foster home?
That could be possible, but I gave her a bath shortly after bringing her home.
Marlow said:
Could the puppy smell like the other cats from the last foster home?
That could be possible, but I gave her a bath shortly after bringing her home.
Probably not then. You might need to bring the cats in and separate them from the dog. A baby gate could work so the cats can run into another room if needed. Sorry if this isn’t much help.
@Marlow
That’s a good suggestion, thank you.
Puppies can be very energetic, while cats often try to maintain their dignity. It’s important to get the cats back inside and find a secure spot in the house where the puppy can’t go, but the cats can see him. Once they feel they have the upper hand, they may accept him better. It’s true that keeping cats indoors is crucial, especially with coyotes becoming common even in suburban areas. They tend to go after cats.
@West
Thank you. This advice is very helpful.