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Bringing home a puppy? How to introduce it to your older cat.
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Hello, my name's Ollie and I have a burmese cat who's just turned 13. She is quite healthy and a good mix of docile and active during short bursts, she's also very affectionate. My girlfriend wants to buy a puppy. I'm cool with it but want to know which are the best breeds for living with cats? Obviously my cat is quite old and I don't want her health/happiness to be brought down in any way for her old years. Advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
2 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS
Veterinarian
Published on July 7th, 2019
Introducing them should be done slowly. When you first bring your puppy home, I would keep them in rooms separated by a door. This way, they can get used to the smells and sounds of each other without contact. Make sure your cat has a litter box, food, and water in their room. You can also place a blanket with the puppy's smell in the cat's room, and a blanket with the cat's smell in the puppy's room. I would also consider get a Feliway for your cat and a DAP for your puppy. These are pheromone diffusers that help with anxiety and should also help ease the transition. Once both pets seem relaxed with the current situation, swap rooms placing the cat in the puppy's room and vice versa. You can do this switch several times over the course of the introductions. Once they are both comfortable with the smells of each other, it's time for them to meet face to face. I would introduce the puppy on a leash to the cat while she is in a cat carrier or on the other side of a baby gate. Reward the puppy for being calm and quiet near the cat. Once they seem comfortable with each other, the baby gate can be taken away. Make sure your cat has a cat tree where he can escape from the puppy as needed, and don't allow the puppy to chase the cat.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpfulRelated Answers from Veterinarians
Answered By Jeffrey Milner
Veterinarian
Published on June 27th, 2017
Glad to hear you are planning ahead carefully!
The first thing I would do is make sure that the puppy and kitten are kept somewhere separate. They should be able to smell each other through a closed door, but should not be able to see each other for the first 24 hours. I would place something of the cat's with the pup, and then vice versa with the kitty. Let them get a good feel for each other's scent. The following day, I would let the cat and pup see each other. If the pup can tolerate it without barking and going crazy, place it in a crate so that the cat can see, smell, and touch the dog but not the other way around. Any good behavior by both the dog and cat should be rewarded with praise and treats. You should definitely expect some hissing and swatting at first, and this is normal feline behavior to something new in general. If the puppy is not tolerating the crate well and is whining / barking, place it on your lap not allowing it to go near the kitten freely. If these interaction work out well for a few days. You can place the puppy on the floor on a leash and let it roam around a little bit. Don't force the cat near the dog or vice versa. Any behavior indicating that coexistence is possible should be rewarded. You should do this for at least a week prior to allowing the puppy off leash around the cat. If things are working out OK, you can try off leash after this to see how things work out. Basically, slow and steady wins the race! Hope this helps!1Pet Parents found this answer helpful