Hi,

I am looking at getting a puppy, it will be 9 weeks old and is a staffy but i am worried it will not intergrate well with my cats. I have 3 cats who are all sisters and are a year old.

I have read some articles online which say i would need to get a male dog, is this true?? I was also wondering if anyone has any tips on easy intergration?? One of my cats was the runt of the litter and it quite skittish at times, I am worried that they might get scared and then not come back and also with having 3 cats whether they would pick on the puppy.

I have also read that staffys are not the best dog to mix with cats, does anyone have any experience of this, as if this is true we may have to look for a different breed.

I really dont want to upset the cats, I am also worried as when we are able to get the puppy would be when we just get back of holiday and the cats have been in a cattery for 2 weeks, last time they came out of cattery they were off with us for a day or so. I dont want to upset them even more by bringing a puppy into the house.

Any advice you can give is greatly appreciated.

Thanks
Sarah

The sex of the dog won't matter -and the fact that it is a young pup will help a lot. :) Even breeds NOT usually good with cats can get on fine with them if they are used to them from an early age. (One of  my own breeds is not usually good with cats, and I have a LOT of cats. The male dog that I didn't get back until 18 months of age cannot be allowed near the cats. The bitches that have had cats around them all their lives are fine.) The main thing to remember is to not force anything, and always make sure the cats have somewhere to escape to. I.e. use a child or dog gate across doorways, the cats can then squeeze through the bars or jump over the gatt, the puppy will be left on the other side. Ge a tall cat tree scratching post that the cats can jump up onto, etc. They will then get used to the pup in their own time, and will feel much safer knowing they always have an escape route. You will have to train the pup of course to not chase the cats -most pups will for sure, even those much smaller than cats- not only for the cats' sake but for the pup's sake as well, as you don't want it to get scratched in the eyes.

You have a big advantage in getting a young oup, things should work out fine. :) Just be prepared to give your cats several weeks to get used to it all, it won't happen overnight. Good luck!

Do not worry about your cats with your pup..being the cats are only a year old they will soon be all fine together, I would not leave them locked in a room together until they are all friends though, stroke your cats then your pup to transfer their scent the cats will not like to smell of your pup but it will get them used to having her living with them. When feeding them make sure you stop the pup eating the cats food as a cat scratch in the eye will be bad , also the pup has to learn that it is not allowed the cats food good luck with that one! mine know not to eat it but as soon as I'm out of the kitchen they are in there ! Cat food is bad for dogs so don;t start giving her some as they will stop eating there own for cat food instead. Get some toys for your cats and let the pup watch them play, the cats will relax and the pup will be entertained but will realise that it can only join in when safe. My cat plays very rough with my young dog and she loves it.  

>>>>I have also read that staffys are not the best dog to mix with cats, does anyone have any experience of this, as if this is true we may have to look for a different breed.<<<

We had a cat that adopted us and then we brought home a male staffordshire bull terrier bup-
Noodle wasnt impressed at first and pup thought she looked a great playmate to chase-
things do work out ok so long as you manage them and all know their boundaries

We know have three sbts and a rescue cross and Noodle is still with us and guess whos boss lol

hi, I had 3 cats when I introduced my staffy, stay with them and introduce them in the main living area, but make sure the cats have an option to get out and the dog has an area it can go.  The cats were grumpy to start with and you need to be present in case if the cats go for the puppy, not the other way round.  Puppies will want to play but won't be aggressive, but I guarantee the cats will sort it out.  You just need to be in the room with the pup and the cats for their safety, in case if one of the cats decides to scratch the puppy as you don't want it developing a fear of the cats.  I now have three staffs and 5 cats and they all live fine together, never seen any evidence that staffs are bad with cats!!