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Cats/introducing a puppy to an old cat
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Question
I am really worried because I brought a puppy to my house and my cat is not warming up to it. She hisses and has tried to bite it on several occasions and we've been keeping the dog on a separate room. What can I do to make this process easier? Will they ever adapt to each other? She doesn't have nails, but bites! Can she harm the puppy?
Natalia,
Both cats and dogs have very tough skin, so your cat should not really hurt the puppy. Without front claws, many cats do turn into biters, but she probably is not biting the puppy hard enough to cause any damage. The only way they will learn to get along is if they are no longer separated. The cat is reacting normally to the puppy. The cat will want to exercise her dominance as the established pet in the house. The puppy will have to learn to respect the cat. At this point they will establish whatever relationship they will, and there is no guarantee they will get along very well. You will just have to see where things stand a few weeks into the relationship. The thing that may be going for you is that adult animals are usually more tolerant of the young than they would be of another adult.
One thing to try is, whenever you pay nay attention to the puppy, make sure you give your established cat additional treats and attention.
You will probably have to feed them separately as the puppy will help itself to the cat's food and vice wersa, Also, many dogs look at cat poop as candy, so you will want to have the litter pan somewhere the puppy cannot get to. It can get so bad that the dog will start to bother the cat when it is pooping and the cat will find other places to poop.
Good luck and best regards... NOrm.
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Answers by Expert:
Norman Auspitz
Expertise
I can answer most non-veterinary questions about cats. My particular expertise is pedigree cats, breeding and showing. However, I am versed in feline behavior, cat breeds and their characteristics, general feline husbandry, and the like.
Experience
I judged for the Canadian Cat Association from 1975 until 1982. I am currently an approved allbreed judge for the Cat Fanciers'' Association (the world''s largets cat registry), and have been judging for them since 1991. I have been breeding pedigreed cats since 1971 and have been exhibiting pedigreed cats in shows since 1970. I obtained my first pedigreed cat in 1970 and have never looked back. In 1971, I obtained my first Abyssinian which has become my primary breed. In addition, I have bred Manx and Persians. Currently, besides the Abyssinians, I am also breeding Maine Coons.
Organizations
Cat Fanciers'' Association, inc. (CFA) and the Manx, Maine Coon, and Abyssinian breed councils. I am currently Abyssinian breed council secretary.
Publications
Cat Fancy Magazine, The Abyssinian Chapter in The Cat Fanciers'' Association Complete Cat Book, and Articles for various editions of The Cat Fanciers'' Association Yearbook
Education/Credentials
I received a B.S. from Drexel University in 1968, a M.Math from University of Waterloo, in 1970, a Ph.D. from University of Waterloo in 1975, and a MBA from McMaster University in 1980. I received my approved allbreed judging status in the Cat Fanciers'' Association in 1999.
Awards and Honors
We have produced a number of Cat Fanciers'' Association (CFA) National winning Abyssinian and Maine Coons. We have produced a number of Abyssinian and Maine Coon Distinguished Merit females (an award for a top producing cat), including the first Distinguished Merit Abyssinian in the red (sorrel) color. I am the CFA Abyssinian breed council secretary and belong and/or hold office in a number of cat clubs. I am also a member of the CFA Judges Association.
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