We would like to get a sheltie puppy but we have a 10 yr old spayed female cat. She doesn't have much experience with dogs and I am not sure how she would take it. Also I grew up with dogs mostly large dogs and my husband has no experience at all and he is also gone alot. I am looking on how to successfully introduce my cat to a sheltie puppy and need advice on how to do that.

Thanks
Brandi

well, i'm not really an expert at all, but the other day a friend of mine came round with his dog, we left him (the dog, not the friend.. ) in another room for a while, and then tried to open the door to see how they'd react... the dog seemed quite playful, didn't want to harm her at all, but she started hissing and scratched him on the face on the first possible occasion but my friend was just visiting, so maybe we did it too quickly/wrong. I know that there's a spray that makes cat calmer, that might help.. I'm sure that other people in the forum will be more helpful than I am!
Good luck and let us know how it goes (if you do it)!

if your cat has not really been around dogs then there is a good chance it wont want to know . however it will only take once for the cat to put the pup in its place so it does not bother it again ! i am sure it will be fine good luck .

Hi there. as with introducing any new animals to each other do it slowly. make sure the puppy is firmly held and let your cat come and sniff it. She may lash out or hiss but don't worry this doesn't mean they won't settle together.
My daughter introduced her ten year old cat to a border collie puppy a couple of years ago and now they sleep on the bed together. The cat put him in his place right from the start with a firm paw across the nose. If the dog wants to play the cat just hisses and walks off. The dog won't tolerate any other cats in his garden.
They usually work out their own boundaries.

__________________

If cats could talk they would lie to you

Eons ago we did this but the other way around - had 2 border collies and introduced our first (joint) cat. She swiped them both on the nose,despite the fact them were sitting nicely and then they were the best of friends. All dead now boo hoo - a combination of old age and cancer.

__________________
http://finesthourbirmans.webs.com

I wouldn't mix them, where do you think the expression "they fought like cat and dog" comes from.

Ah it's a tricky one that. My brother had an adult moggy and took on an old rescue German Shepard that was supposed to be cat friendly. They seemed to get on Ok for a couple of weeks but one day the dog just flipped and killed poor Eddie

But I think that as long as the dog is a puppy (and Shelties are tiny little things) then you'll be fine. The cat will make sure the puppy knows who's the boss of the house. There will be a few weeks of tense standoffs and eventually they'll be fine - even friends.

Think about getting some Feliway spray to help calm the cat down.

Have a look at this: YouTube - Sheltie and Maine Coon Wrestle

Ian F.

__________________
"If man could be crossed with the cat it would improve man, but it would deteriorate the cat." - Mark Twain

I introduced a dog into the household when my two cats were about 2 - they were both fairly used to neighbours dogs, and had coped with a visiting dog by taking the first opportunity to put her firmly in her place, and then terrorising the poor thing by staring at her!

My biggest anxiety was for the pup - she was exactly the size and weight of the baby rabbits my cats hunt! When I brought her home, they took one look, walked all round her looking extremely disgusted, and then kept out of her way (very easy - she was so tiny it was weeks before she could even get up onto the first stair unaided!). She is now very good friends with Tilly cat, but is inclined to bully Pippin, who is much bogger than she is.

The only long term problem I had to sort out was feeding the cats somewhere the dog could not reach - I use a bench in the cloakroom, too high for her to jump up to.

Our cat was ten when we got our cocker and although there was alot of growling and hissing and a odd swip they seemed to tolirate each other. They were never excellent friends but would be in the same room together. They only thing your have to watch is pup doesnt get to playful with kitty. Although i didnt have this problem as my cat gave one good swip and murphy knew his boundry. I did find keeping the food and litter out of the dogs way a challege.But it all seemed to work out. It just takes slow patiance and time. Your probably find your cat will learn to accept your pup but they wont be best buddies.

Yes - keeping the cat litter out of the way! Most dogs LOVE cat food, and many dogs consider cat poo to be recycled, enhanced cat food .... if your cat has a tray inside (or may need one as it gets older) think about how you are going to prevent the dog getting access to it!