Should I take my 7-week-old puppy to a home with three cats?

I would plan on taking things very slowly when introducing the cats to your new puppy. Since the puppy is so young he should adjust very well and learn easily how to live with cats. The cats will most likely avoid him a lot and that’s OK. Just let them come around to him in their own time. It is important in these early days to make sure that they are not left alone together until you know how they will act with each other. Congratulations on your new puppy. I hope this helps. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Best of luck.

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! I would allow the cats to safely sniff and see the puppy through a baby gate for 2 weeks. Then when you let them interact the puppy should be on a leash 100% of the time so you can control him. The cats should have a safe place (cat tree, a room with a cat door only then can fit through) to be able to escape from the puppy. If the puppy shows any form of aggression towards the cats he should never be allowed to be alone with the cats and off a leash in the house. That means he is crated when you are not home. Hopefully since Moose is young the will be easy to teach and the cats will put him in his place! Good luck!

Hi Ollie! There isn't really one specific breed that's best with cats, although I'm very partial to Golden Retrievers. It's more how you introduce them, allow them to get to know each other slowly, and not let the puppy chase the cat. I can give you a method for introducing to cause the least stress to your cat. Best of luck. Introducing them should be done slowly. When you first bring your puppy home, I would keep them in rooms separated by a door. This way, they can get used to the smells and sounds of each other without contact. Make sure your cat has a litter box, food, and water in their room. You can also place a blanket with the puppy's smell in the cat's room, and a blanket with the cat's smell in the puppy's room. I would also consider get a Feliway for your cat and a DAP for your puppy. These are pheromone diffusers that help with anxiety and should also help ease the transition. Once both pets seem relaxed with the current situation, swap rooms placing the cat in the puppy's room and vice versa. You can do this switch several times over the course of the introductions. Once they are both comfortable with the smells of each other, it's time for them to meet face to face. I would introduce the puppy on a leash to the cat while she is in a cat carrier or on the other side of a baby gate. Reward the puppy for being calm and quiet near the cat. Once they seem comfortable with each other, the baby gate can be taken away. Make sure your cat has a cat tree where he can escape from the puppy as needed, and don't allow the puppy to chase the cat.

There is never a guarantee that your cat will accept a new puppy, but the fact that he tolerates your neighbor's dog makes me optimistic that it would work out. Introducing a new pet into the household can be tricky and be sure that your cat still has a safe and quiet space away from the puppy. For example, give your cat the roam of he whole house, but prevent the puppy from going upstairs with a low baby gate. Try to keep your cat's routine as normal as possible and do not leave the two pets together without supervision for several weeks to months depending on how they interact. Better to get a puppy now when your cat is middle aged than when he is older and less amenable to change! :-)

I’m not really sure if Leo is a dog or a cat. If he is a dog then you should restrict access to the cats and allow only supervised interaction for awhile. Reward him for calm behavior around the cats. If Leo is a cat then you should make sure all cats have separate spaces with food, water and litter. Feliway diffusers can also help.

Hello. If there are no other cats at the other home, especially unvaccinated ones, then there is no danger. However, keep the kitten indoors & do not let it run around outdoors. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

HI, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! 5 weeks is a bit young to leave her mother but if she is fully weaned it should be ok. We usually do not start vaccines until they are 7 weeks of age. Some breeders will give them a parvo vaccine at under 7 weeks. You should be fine until she gets her first vaccine but people with sick dogs or unvaccinated dogs shouldn't handle her and she needs to be kept away from all dogs. I hope this helps and good luck!