I have two fairly timid rescue cats. They are four years old and we got them three years ago. They have made a lot of progress, are comfortable around us and one will even sit on a lap in the right circumstances, but they are still shy of strangers and pretty independent.
Do you have any tips about introducing them to a puppy? Currently the cats don't have access to upstairs (my preference) but I wonder if I should relax this rule and install a baby gate so that they have a safe dog-free place they can escape to.
We are also concerned they will run away when the puppy arrives so wonder if we should lock them indoors until they have got used to him/her, for a few weeks. Currently they go out in daytime but we lock the cat flap at night so that they are indoors overnight. My concern is that they will be depressed about being stuck indoors for a few weeks even if they have the run of the whole house with the top two floors dog-free and peaceful.
A puppy will no doubt turn their world upside down, and yours. I'd go with a very slow introduction and let the cats be able to go to a safe place. Would you be able to keep them in a room downstairs, one that they're used to, close to the catflap? Maintaining their routine will be less stressful for them. Maybe keep them inside for a few days when the puppy arrives? I'd love to get a dog, but the thought of introducing my cats to one always puts me off - I'm a coward! Your cats could surprise you and accept the puppy straightaway. Fluffycloudland77 idea to look at some instruction videos is a good idea.
Unfortunately downstairs is one room - all open plan - and the cat flap is from that room into the back garden. If we put a baby gate the cats can access upstairs while keeping the puppy downstairs, but the cats would not be able to get outside from there. But they would have a safe haven, dog-free, while they adapt. Hopefully this will be adequate.
They need to beat the puppy up a bit so he knows cats are not chew toys and must be treated with respect or they’ll get a bit scratchy-bleedy-not sorry on the puppy.
. I'd go with a very slow introduction and let the cats be able to go to a safe place. Would you be able to keep them in a room downstairs, one that they're used to, close to the catflap? Maintaining their routine will be less stressful for them. Maybe keep them inside for a few days when the puppy arrives? I'd love to get a dog, but the thought of introducing my cats to one always puts me off - I'm a coward! Your cats could surprise you and accept the puppy straightaway. Fluffycloudland77 idea to look at some instruction videos is a good idea.