Cats don’t care for new puppy

#Middlebury #Puppy #Cats

DEAR PAW’S CORNER: My two cats do not like my new puppy at all. Every time Sparks tries to approach one of them, they hiss and swipe at his nose. I’m afraid this is traumatic for him. How can I get them to get along? – Devoted Pup Dad in Ohio

DEAR PUP DAD: This new family can get along, but it will take a bit of work and some careful arrangements. Sparks is very young and sounds friendly and sociable, traits that will work in his favor in winning over your cats.

“Gradual” is the watchword here. Sparks needs to be introduced in controlled situations and taken away if the cats begin to hiss or arch their backs.

Early on you should:

• Always supervise their interactions: Your puppy should not be left alone in a room with the cats; you need to monitor all the pets’ behavior and remove Sparks if the cats prepare to show aggression.
• Put up a baby gate: Keep Sparks out of rooms where the cats are, at least for now. The see-through gate also allows the cats to approach Sparks from a position where they feel more comfortable.
• Give the cats an out: The cats will be less aggressive if they don’t feel that they’re being cornered by an overly friendly puppy.
• Reduce antagonistic choke points in the house: Note areas where the cats and dog may cross paths and reduce the possibility that they will. Don’t place the puppy’s food bowl next to the cats’ bowls. Make sure the cats don’t have to walk past Sparks’ bed or kennel to get to their beds.

Give it time, and your pets should eventually become tolerant of each other, if not completely friendly.

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