Introducing your bulldog puppy to the family cat
21 Sep 2008
Don’t be too worried about your family cat when you welcome your English bulldog puppy into your home. With a little help, they do they will get along fine. Here’s a guide on how to make their initial meeting as safe and harmonious as possible.
When you bring your English bulldog puppy home, introduce him to your family cat in a neutral setting where the family cat normally doesn’t hang out. By doing so, the cat won’t feel threatened and act “king” in his territory. Act with authority and confidence. Keep your puppy on a loose leash to prevent any untoward injury to the other pet. You can also separate the puppy in an exercise pen so the cat can safely investigate the newcomer without physical contact. When you bring the puppy to the cat, the puppy can either -run away then your cat is probably safe or if the puppy goes after the cat then it’s best to hold the leash tight and tell him “No!” in a firm and loud voice. In this scenario, don’t let your puppy roam freely when the cat is around until he understands that the cat is part of the family. The puppy may be small yet he may inflict injuries to your cat. You can also train your English bulldog puppy to “stay” on any attempts he makes to attack your cat.
Precautions
Physical place is essential to cats while social place is important to dogs. They have a good chance to develop a good relationship as long as the dog accepts the cat’s dominance over territory. It is necessary to confine your bulldog puppy at times. This gives the cat time to roam around the house and to survey his territory. For the cat’s safety, provide an escape route convenient for him such as escape hatches including floor to ceiling climbers and installing extra long hooks and eyes to prop a door open wide enough for the cat. You can assign a crate for your bulldog puppy’s safety and top of the refrigerator for your resident cat. When you leave home, physically and securely separate both animals. Give access to water, bed or resting place and toys. Make sure your cat has access to his litter box which is physically off-limits to the bulldog puppy. Dogs like to eat cat droppings which are unhealthy for them. Make everyone in your family and any caretakers understand the need to keep both animals apart.
Rewards
Food is a powerful motivator for animals. You can make use of food as a reward whenever you catch them demonstrating calm behavior and not hurting one another. Maintain the cat’s claws trimmed and short in case both animals come in contact. Give words of praise when your puppy doesn’t bark or chase your resident cat. Do the same to your cat when he’s gentle around the newcomer. Do this consistently, not just once in awhile. This positive reinforcement, supported with rewards, teaches them the importance of acceptable behavior.
Patience, patience, patience
Let your new English bulldog puppy and family cat communicate in their own language. Don’t overreact at the moment they hiss, bark, and growl or sniff each other. However, be prepared to intervene when hostility heightens. Hostility may arise since cats and dogs do not communicate the same way and may misinterpret a behavior of the other party. For instance, your English bulldog puppy may innocently raise his paw to play but this gesture indicates threat to the cat. Provided your cat is an adult cat, he may also find the bulldog puppy bothersome since the latter is playful and full of energy. In case you have more than one cat, careful not to let them gang up on the newcomer. Take care not to give all your attention to your puppy to avoid pent up hostility on the part of your cat. Don’t expect that both pets will become best buddies overnight. Let both animals establish the relationship at their own pace. Also, accept the possibility that some cats and dogs may not become close friends. It’s always important to keep watch when they interact and be patient. Who knows? They could end up getting used to each other.
Born June 28, 2008, ready to go to their furr-ever homes now!! AKC champion lineage papers, potty trained, up on shots and wormings, free health insurance, one year health guarantee included.