It is actually a big misconception that both dogs and cats can’t live together. But, if you introduce a puppy to your house with a cat, it takes careful planning and patience in order to make it go smooth. The introduction has to be done slowly as well and this should be done in a step-by-step process.
If you will be buying a puppy and taking it home, consider separating the puppy first from your cat through placing it in an adjacent room which is separated by a door. Just make sure that you are going to provide your cat with its basics like its toys, foods, water, perches, litter box and others more. Doing this will help both your puppy and cat to become used in hearing as well as smelling each other without risk of direct interactions during such sensitive times.
If you will consider placing a towel or blanket and have the scent of your puppy in the room with your cat, this will be able to help in easing up the transition. You also could place a blanket or towel with the scent of the cat in the room with the puppy. Using pheromone products will also be able to help in easing the transition for your puppy and cat.
At this time, you have to make sure that you spend some time bonding with every pet individually. Give them both the time in becoming relax and become comfortable in their own respected areas.
After both of your pets are relaxed with their current situation, switch their positions. It is important to allow the puppy to occupy the room with where the cat had been and the cat occupy on the room where you have placed the puppy. Consider switching their rooms several times on the time of the introductory period.
After both the puppy and cat become comfortable with the scents and the smell of one another, you should then introduce them face to face. You must however consider placing a barrier first in between them. Put the cat in a large open sided carrier or you could use a baby gate to which the cat can’t get over or under.
You have to reward your puppy when it stays calm and quiet when near your cat. Make sure to avoid letting your puppy harass or letting it chase the cat. Bad behavior must never be allowed but you must not punish when there are lapses that occurs accidentally because it could create an unwanted response and issue between both your pets.
In a lot of cases, your puppy as well as the cat will be able to accept each other and they could also become friends in time. You need to be aware that every situation is actually different and you have to assess their reactions before allowing both of them to remain together.