Introducing Puppies and Cats

In this episode of Pandemic Puppy, Kayla discusses introducing your puppy to cats. 
Everything depends on the personality of your puppy and your cat
Set up the environment for success: hiding places, elevation for cats; baby gates, leashes
Ensure puppy is well-exercised but not overtired/cranky
Younger puppies adapt more quickly/easily: with MOST really young puppies and many cats, you can allow for supervised interaction pretty quickly
Breed will vary for dogs - if your breed is more likely to be prey driven, earlier introductions are even better and management will increase through teenagerhood
Reward BOTH animals for calm ignoring/calm interactionsSuggested treats for cats: meaty baby food on a popsicle stick, tuna, store-bought treats, bonito flakes
Consider long-lasting chews or licki mats for puppy 


Handicap the puppy as needed, let the cat move freely
If the puppy is highly aroused or the cat is extra nervous, use towels over baby gates and/or two baby gates for extra distance (especially for older puppies)
Teach both animals that the presence of the other = tasty treats!

 
Links Mentioned in the Episode:
Two-Part Cat Intro Podcast
Cat/Dog Introduction Video
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