New Study Reveals the Best Way to Introduce a Puppy to Your Cat for Long-Term Success

The age-old idiom about “fighting like cats and dogs” may suggest these two animals can’t coexist peacefully, but that’s not the case! All it takes is setting them up for success when they’re meeting for the first time. This is especially true for puppies, whose energetic and often unpredictable behavior, can quickly keep a cat from warming up to them. Luckily, recent research found that gradually introducing a new puppy and cat is the key to a healthy bond. Keep reading to find out more about the study, plus more tips for a successful first meeting.

New research about introducing a new puppy and cat

The study was done as part of the Generation Pup research being conducted by Dogs Trust, a British animal welfare charity. The website describes it as “a groundbreaking study of the health, welfare and behavior of our dogs throughout their whole lives.”

More than 9,500 puppies are enrolled in the research, and around 4,500 of them have interactions with cats. The study is being done via questionnaires sent to owners, whose responses help the researchers determine the ways genetics, environment and early experience’s shape a dog’s behavior and personality over time.

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The results of the study

The research found that both a puppy’s age and how soon they are introduced to a feline member of the house can influence how their relationship unfolds. According to The Guardian , 20.1 percent of pet owners introduce their puppy to a cat(s) right away, and 18.9 percent do it in less than two hours.

But further findings revealed that this fast approach isn’t beneficial in the long run. Why? Most puppies showed “undesirable” behavior towards their feline roommate, such as being aggressive or trying to play with the cat when that energy was not reciprocated. In fact, less than 10 percent of the puppies who were introduced to cats stayed calm and relaxed during the initial meeting.

Thankfully, not rushing an introduction seems to make quite the difference. The results revealed that puppies (especially those younger than 12 weeks) were calmer and more friendly when introduced to cats over a period of more than one day.

What does this mean for getting a new pet?

If you welcome a new puppy into your family and already have a cat (or multiple kitties) at home, the animals should meet gradually. “In an ideal world, what you’d want to do is to have the cat in a situation where it can escape, it can get out of the way, so maybe somewhere high that the cat can go so it doesn’t feel threatened by the puppy,” said vet Rachel Casey, researcher and veterinary behavior specialist at Dogs Trust, reports The Independent . “And what you really need to teach the puppy is to be calm in the presence of the cat.”

She shared that it’s also a good idea to have the introduction take place in a spot where everybody can sit and stay quiet. Keeping the dog on a lead and having a distraction (like a toy or snack) handy is also smart.

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More tips for introducing a puppy and cat

There are other ways to ensure that the first meeting between your puppy and cat goes smoothly!  Here are some helpful hints:

• Try scent swapping. It can help them get used to each other’s smell before they even meet. “Take an item of clothing that smells of your cat to your puppy’s breeder or rescue center so they can get used to their smell,” shares an expert from Blue Cross UK in this video .
• Use a barrier to separate the two, such as a playpen, crate or baby gate. “Let your puppy and cat observe each other through their adjoining gate, but maintain the barrier for now,” suggests The Puppy Academy . “Allow your cat to roam freely around your puppy’s area, coming in closer and moving back as they wish.”
• Feed them at the same time, but on opposite sides of the barrier (or a closed door). The Animal Humane Society says this will teach your pets that they can associate the present of the new furry family member with pleasant things like food. “With each feeding, move their food bowls a little closer to the closed door,” they advise. “Continue this process until each pet can eat calmly right next to the door.”
• Reward desired behavior. When your dog is relaxed in the presence of your cat, you want him to know that’s what you want to see moving forward. “Your puppy must learn that he is rewarded for good behavior when your cat is around,” advise the experts at How To Train Your Dream Dog . “And these rewards help him make a positive association with being around your cat.” (Click through for ideas on how to reward and spoil him!)

Slowly introducing the animals and following the tips above can help ensure your cat and dog have a harmonious relationship as roommates or even friends!

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