Hi i am waiting to get my first basset hound pup this summer, myself and my hubby have been researching this breed for a good few months and have spoken to many owners and even been to various people's home to view full sixe dog, old bassets etc etc. e cannot wait to get our baby but a MAJOR concern is we have two cats a persian who is two and a half and a moggy who is one. We love them dearly and really want them to accept the puppy and vice versa. Has ANYONE got any tips for me regarding introducing cats and dogs?
Deb

Firstly the cats will adapt as long as they can get away to a space (preferably upwards)on their age away from the puppy they will be fine

I would never leave the cats & puppy alone with access to each other for the puppy's safety

Well our cat accepted a Staffy and many people say the two cant live together :rolleyes:
As long as you dont try to force them together - let your cats have space and come to see pup in their own time . They may never be great friends but they should accept each other given time :)

All of my cats have been raised with dogs, but I have a friend who took in a young puppy and had three house cats. His cats had never lived with a dog inside with them, all the other dogs were always outside. The three cats hated the puppy and always hissed and scratched at her. But eventually, by allowing the cats their own room and access to a table higher up than the puppy, the cats are doing just fine with the young puppy. Heck, one of the cats and the pup even play together now. But, all the cats are female and have since had kittens. A mother's instinct to protect takes over when they have kittens, so the pup is again in danger of being scratched and attacked. So, the kittens are kept in a room with the door closed so the pup can't get in. When the kittens go to their new homes, the momma cats return to normal and allow the puppy to come near them again. So, if your cats are female and haven't been spayed, watch out for your new puppy when the cat has her kittens; they can be pretty nasty in order to protect their kittens. =) Other than that, your cats should do just fine within a few weeks of the puppy coming home. :)

Our persian used to love my mums sheltie so much he would lie in front of the fire with his back pressed against him, they had their meals side by side and did everything together. He also got on fine with our other dog, not quite as close but still ok. The only one he wasnt keen on was my nanas dog but i think that may be because he was already 10 when we got him and the others were pups when they arrived.

This one warmed my heart i really hope my cats are as chilled out as your cat sounds

thanx for this - i have one male and one rfemale cat but thankfully she has now  been done!n one less thing too worry about...

yes ive read this too,thanx for the advice will def heed it

Our cats are fine with the dogs.  Their bed ontop of the dogs cage and they are happy there.  One thing to remember is still to pay attention to the cats.  We normally get one person one cat and four dogs on the sofa!!!!!

We also sold a puppy to a house of cats and the dog and the cat both sleep in the cage which is left open!!!

Rox

One of my Boxers came indoors at night as he got older and he my Beardie and the Siamese used to pile into one bed at night :D

I think its soo sweet when cats and dogs sleep together, i hope mine do

i will give them both attention. My persian girl can be really funny tho i've had her from being 8 wks old and have always loved  her but she doesnt like being cuddled. we dont know why cos she follows us aroundn the house like a mad thing - she just doesnt liked being nursed. The moggy lad is a different story! he loves a nice kiss n cuddle ( dont we all!)

We have had our pup for a month now and our 2 cats are just starting to get used to him, I wonder if they will ever be the best of friends but the situation is bound to improve I hope?!! We have put a gate on the stairs so the cats have all of upstairs to themselves. Think it just takes time really. Agree with making sure you still give them plenty of attention though, you will probably find they suddenly need constant reassurance that you still love them!

We have 3 dogs and 3 cats here.  Everyone gets along just fine.  I've always found the cats and dogs will sort it out on their own (usually with the dogs learning not to mess with the cats when it isn't a good day!)  We even have an "extra" cat every day.  Our neighbors cat began coming over a few weeks ago.  He adores us and the dogs, so when his owner is at work, he comes over here to play and snuggle with everyone.  I suppose we are very lucky to have such harmony in the home.  And yes, the cats will even snuggle up and sleep with my Golden...but not so much with the BC or the puppy.   They are more fun for games of tag.  :)

yes u do seem lucky zookeeper, i hope my situation ends up like that!

Hi Charlei thanx for this, was there ever any nastiness betwwen the cats and the puppy? is so who was it? who has the dominace the cats or the pup?

Hi Deb
There hasn't been any nastiness between them really, the pup wants to play so will chase the cats at every available opportunity and normally I grab him before he gets the chance but on the couple of occasions i've missed it he doesnt really know what to do when he catches up with them and normally gets a smack on the nose too! I feel it's quite important for him to start to respect the cats now, he's already twice their size and ever getting bigger. Definately think they will end up in charge of him but a bit early to say! Advice from the vet was to get them all in one room with loads of treats and toys (and the pup on his lead) and make it loads of fun for all! Good luck x

Thanks for this Charlie, i have to say im scared about it really, but i suppose i have no idea about the reaction my cats will have to my pup until i get her. Like everyone else who has faced this predicament i just want hem to get on - or at least tolerate each other.
Take care
Deb

time and patience!!
make sure the cat can escape if needs be and never force them together.Tell the pup off for being over-enthusiastic and give it time.
Good luck,Archer