Will Cats Adjust To Having A New Dog?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Some cats take weeks to adapt to the dogs

,” Landsberg added, “and similarly it can take weeks for the owners to teach the dog how to behave around the cat. Even if improvement is made and the cat and dog tolerate or enjoy each other, in some circumstances, separation when not supervised is the best long-term option.”

How can I get my cat to settle with my new dog?

When you first bring your new dog or puppy home

On the day you bring your dog home,

secure your cat in their favourite room with their bed and bedding, water, food and litter

. Allow your dog to explore the house and then secure them in a room of their own with comfy bedding, water and a treat.

Do cats get jealous of a new dog?


Even if you introduce a puppy slowly, a cat still might exhibit signs of jealousy

. Keep a careful eye on your kitty in the weeks after introducing a puppy. The most obvious signs of jealousy is if your cat is acting aggressively towards the puppy, even if the puppy isn’t interacting with the cat.

Will my cat eventually like my dog?

If you are lucky, your cat and dog can become friends within a couple hours. But that won’t usually happen. It takes time for cats to adapt to the dogs and similarly for the dogs to learn how to behave around cats. Be patient and

your cat and dog will get along eventually.

Will my cat always hate my dog?

Though it’s certainly possible, and actually quite common, for cats and dogs to get along and even form friendships,

some cats just want nothing to do with dogs

. They may even turn hostile toward the friendliest and gentlest of pups, leaving you to wondering what to do.

How long does it take for a cat to accept a new puppy?

Liz Palika noted that, in her experience, the “get acquainted” process usually takes

two to three weeks

. Dr. Landsberg noted that sometimes it’s not easy to tell by their interactions if a dog and cat are getting along or not.

Is it better to get a dog or a cat first?

In the most general terms, though, the best strategy would be to adopt first a middle-aged, well-mannered dog who shows little interest in cats, and then a kitten who has been raised in a household with friendly or indifferent dogs around.

Will my cat like a puppy?

In most cases,

with time, your new puppy and your cat will come to accept each other and may even become friends

. However, each situation is different and you should assess the reactions of both animals before you allow them to remain together unsupervised.

What if my cat hates my new puppy?


Rub the new pet with a towel, and bring that towel to your cat to sniff; then do the same for the new pet

. You can also rub the pets with stuffed animals and use the toys as a stand-in, as dogs and cats may initially react to stuffed animals as if they are real.

Are two cats more work than one?


Having two cats doesn’t require much extra work

. Typically, in a multi-cat household, everyone gets fed the same food at the same time. You may need to change the cat litter a little more frequently. You may find that with a large cat box and high-quality litter, once or twice a week will suffice.

Why does my dog get jealous when I pet my other dog?

Whether you’re physically interacting with another dog or come home after being around one, your dog’s jealousy

stems from their loyalty to you, whom they consider to be their pack leader

.

How do I stop my cat attacking my dog?

If your cat and dog get into a fight, you’ll need to get them to stop. First try

creating a loud noise that startles the animals

, which will allow one of them to escape or may allow you time to grab one. You can also try spraying your pets with water or throwing a blanket over them.

Can you train a cat like a dog?


Cats can be a little trickier to train than dogs

. Although cats want to make their humans happy, that desire doesn’t drive them as it does for dogs. That means you need to figure out what motivates her, and you need a little extra patience. Your cat is a lot easier to train if she’s food-motivated.

What cat breeds get along best with dogs?

  1. Birman. Do you want to know the best dog-friendly cats? …
  2. British Shorthair. Do you want a cat that’s a little aloof and independent? …
  3. Norwegian Forest Cat. …
  4. 4. Japanese Bobtail. …
  5. Abyssinian. …
  6. Ragdoll. …
  7. Siberian Cat. …
  8. Tonkinese.

How do you get a cat to like a dog?

What if my cat doesn’t like my dog?


Give the cat time to adjust to the presence of the dog in the room, and let the cat be the one to approach the dog

. If the dog is allowed free access to the cat, his exuberant efforts to meet her may result in an injury such as a damaging claw to the eye. Finally, be patient.

Why does my cat swat at my dog?

The most common includes fear; but

defense, territorial, redirected, play, pain, and discomfort could cause aggression towards a new dog

. A fearful cat may exhibit dilated pupils, ears turning back, or a twitching tail. In this situation, your cat may growl, hiss or swat at your dog.

Will my cat hurt my new puppy?

Very small ‘toy’ puppies are occasionally mistaken for prey by cats. Disasters are uncommon but they do happen.

Even a disciplinary cuff from a cat can hurt a puppy quite badly if it catches him in the eye

. Knowing your cat, and how she is likely to react to a new puppy will be helpful in managing your expectations.

Is it easier to raise a cat or a dog?

In a nutshell,

dogs require more time, attention and money, but as pack animals are often much more social than cats

. On the other hand, cats, being more independent, are easier to care for, much neater and usually cost less. All pets require love, attention, play time, some grooming and regular veterinary visits.

Are cats more low maintenance than dogs?

How much care and attention does a cat need? As pets go,

cats are relatively low maintenance compared to dogs

which need companionship, walking, training etc. However, like any pet, they do need care, and some cats need more care than others.

Is it more expensive to have a cat or a dog?

If the decision came down to your wallet,

cats are significantly cheaper than dogs

, costing about $13,625 to $17,510 in a lifetime, compared to dogs at $16,607 to $22,423.

Do older cats and puppies get along?

A puppy will be much more malleable and trainable around your senior feline, who knows all the tricks of the trade about how to elude the canine interloper.

There’s a good chance that after a period of adjustment they will get along like ham and eggs

— smooshing on home plate when they have to.

How do I know if my dogs and cats like each other?

  1. Your pets enjoy playing together.
  2. They like to snuggle up close to one another and fall asleep.
  3. One pet doesn’t want to leave the other one behind.
  4. Your cats don’t have any issues sharing a litter box.

How do I prepare my cat for a new puppy?


Place your cat in a safe and well-confined space, and let your puppy explore their new home and introduce themselves to your cat

. Keeping your puppy on an indoor leash will help prevent and correct any aggressive behavior. A leash also helps you to keep a close watch on how your pets interact with each other.

Diane Mitchell
Author
Diane Mitchell
Diane Mitchell is an animal lover and trainer with over 15 years of experience working with a variety of animals, including dogs, cats, birds, and horses. She has worked with leading animal welfare organizations. Diane is passionate about promoting responsible pet ownership and educating pet owners on the best practices for training and caring for their furry friends.