AIBU to think you can integrate a puppy with two cats?

[Super123]

We've got two gorgeous two year old black cats. We got them from the RSPCA a year ago and we love having them around.

The only problem we've had was when we minded a friends cat for a few weeks while she was on holiday. This male cat terrorized our cats and they both became anxious. We had to keep them apart and wouldn't attempt introducing any more cats.

DD10, is desperate for a puppy. Is it possible to introduce a puppy with two settled and content cats?

I had two cats before we got a puppy, they accepted him really quickly. They were so sweet together and loved cuddling up to him. It can work, the cats remain the bosses though in my experience!

We have 2 cats and a giant breed dog. The one cat (eldest she's 14 years old) is a grumpy mare and tells the dog who's boss if he bothers her. Just make sure the cats have a safe place to go that's doggy free.

Our dcats were 2 when we got a lurcher and a husky puppy. They all love each other!!

Zany, like many people we like both dogs and cats. It was always our intention to get a dog when one of us was home for long enough to settle it. We've also always had cats. All from rescue and when we got our cats there were 300 available from our local shelter. Having a nice home with the occasional annoyance from a dog was I think better for them than no home at all.

Neighbour has done. The puppy thinks it is a cat, though!

Growing up we had two cats who were 10 years established by the time my Mum brought home a bull terrier puppy (a pretty chunky little thing, hardly a baby Jack Russell!) The cats totally ruled the roost - one used to sleep in the puppy's basket and side-eye her when she yapped to be let in. Eventually they established a sort of 'mutual tolerance' - the dog actually wandered around the house for days crying when one of the cats died :(
So yes, it can be done.

We did this when we got our old pup. The cat hammered the crap out of him the one and only time he tried to chase him, and sat on his head regularly before deciding to adopt him. From then on they were best of friends, and the cat used to groom the dog, properly getting his head between the paws and giving him a good old lick. They'd sleep together too

We did it without any issues. We had two 2 year old cats and introduced a labrador puppy. No issues with either. One cat ignores the dogs existence. The other likes to annoy/play with him.

I did it. I had a three year old cat when I got my labrador puppy.

I used baby gates so that the cat could maintain his own space without interference from said labrador puppy, and it did take time and patience.

Things settled down with the cat very much in charge.

Ignore those who say it isn't successful. Cats have to deal with dogs quite often when out and about. They manage.

supervision is key! ....basically as PP have said.

Cats and dogs can be really good friends, we have a lot of pups through the house and really see different personalities and interactions.

Of the pups...
one was an unholy terror, but she was 8 months, pretty hyper and knew nothing of cats, she was vigorously chastised on all occasions by the cats and never learned a thing in the fortnight she was here.

Other pups have all been 7-10 weeks at introduction and two, maybe three have been super respectful, lots of mutual ignoring.
Two have had complete bromances with idiotcat...smooching and cosying to sleep
A couple stayed and grew up, they rubbed along nicely, but sometimes mischief would happen, a little sniffing and chasing from the canine side, and swiping and tormenting from the felines.
Current pup is a bit too keen atm and has had a couple of tellings, but the cats are definitely running the show, so am not worried at all.

It's basically a total language barrier. Most dogs think tail wagging, bouncing, running and making noise is a GOOD way of making friends, Cats do not like this and much prefer a more refined genteel introduction and to see how it goes.

It will depend on the breed of dog (lurchers, greyhounds etc may be more difficult, but not impossible) and as others say, preparation and supervision.

Our cat was 8 months old when we got a working cocker spaniel puppy. My Mum warned me the cat would sulk and leave home. She did the exact opposite and stalked the poor pup for three days to teach him how things worked in her house.

They get along now - well he likes her, she is as ambivalent about him as she is about us . They sleep alongside each other, and he totally respects her spaces and her sleep, but goes crazy if he spots her on the kitchen worktops. In return, she provides him with exciting things to chase, mostly rodents, but on one occasion, a wood pigeon.

Give your cats safe spaces, they feel particularly safe if these are up high, and watch their claws around pup's eyes.

Yes, I have done this. My tips are:

Scent mingling is the key to harmony. A couple of days before the pup comes home, give him a blanket with the smell of your cats and house on it. Take a blanket pup has used and leave it in your house so the cats will start to learn his smell.

Put them in separate areas in the house at all times when you are not around; keep face to face introductions short and first and gradually increase the length.

If pup is small, your cats may try to stalk him/her - distract the cats.

Once your animals all take on the same 'house smell' there are unlikely to be issues; however there can be setbacks if, for instance, one of them has to have an overnight at the vets in the early days and takes on a different scent.

Always give your cats a dog-free zone - a safety gate is useful, as the cats can leap over one easily but the dog (unless huge) can't get past.

Best of luck.

Some breeds get on better with cats than others, if you introduce the puppy at 8 - 12 weeks. The Miniature Schnauzer is the easiest cat friendly breed with the fewest health problems.

I've introduced an older (1 year ish) ex stray dog. At first I thought I made a big mistake as the dog wanted to eat the cat (no joke), cut to a year later the dog deferred to the cat in all things. A puppy to older cats should be easier, but make sure the cats can easily get away to a place that the puppy can't. Always supervise at first. Do it slowly and don't cut corners because it's easier and it'll be fine. Good luck!

It really really depends on the individual animals. We've had more success introducing a kitten to life with a placid dog. Cats who have never lived with dogs may be very unhappy and may leave home, regardless of Feliway, etc. Do not get a breed of dog with a strong prey drive. It is worth doing research. You may be able to adopt a rescue dog who has previously lived successfully with cats or who has been cat-tested at the rescue centre. I'm sure you'll be careful where you get a dog from, there are so many unscrupulous people these days smuggling in puppies with health problems or backyard breeding.Rescued is the best breed!

We have a cat and until recently also had a dog (unfortunately he passed just over a week ago) they got on well. The dog really wanted to be the cats friend, the cat tolerated the dog! Since the dog passed the cat has been around more. Sleeps in the dogs favourite places too. Think he misses him

My cat was 3 when we got our dog, we tried dogs trust ect but none of them had a small dog that was good with cats so I ended up with a puppy, my cat abused the poor little man so much that at 5 years old he still lets her control the house even though he is double her size! We had to get rid of the litter tray... she just goes outside now, and her food is on the utility counter otherwise he eats it but they are fine! They both sleep in our bed at night cuddling each other, every now and again he will go to play with her and she will give him a hit and he remembers she's not a dog!

They should be ok with a puppy but it depends on the cat, mine is really laid back and doesn't mind dogs at all (unless they're the type of dog who doesn't like cats) My FiL often brings his dog over and the cat isn't bothered and we also have a dog ourselves

That’s definitely the right way round.

We have two cats and a whippet. He’s was the puppy and they sorted him out and now he lets them sit next to him. He’d like them to play with him but they refuse. He’s such a wuss he just stands looking worried when they eat his food!

I had a puppy (now adult dog) with 2 cats and it was fine. They puffed up a bit at first but soon got used it ddog and showed him who's boss

Most pups soon learn who is the superior race, every dog needs a bop on the nose to put them in their place. I'm just starting to win with a very prey driven foster. The cats have been living upstairs after a few skirmishes, (which TBH they mostly do in winter anyway) but for the last few weeks in the evenings when DDog is tired & calm I leave the doors open & they have been coming down to explore, with no reaction. Takes time but as PP said a few barriers & safe spaces & it does work.

Thanks everyone. DD is delighted with your responses!