What is the best way to introduce a new puppy to a cat?

[Amanda Ramsbottom]

Okay so we have a three year old Sheltie and a 7-8 year old cat at home. We recently decided that we'd like to add a new Aussie puppy to the mix. However, when we brought the sheltie home the cat did not respond well and ended up using the couch and love seat as a litter box for some time. We'd like to avoid that this time with the new puppy. What is the best way to bring the new puppy into the house while at the same time ensuring the cat that it won't change her life at all? The cat and sheltie are now best friends so we know the cat is able to accept dogs we just don't want her peeing and pooping on furniture again. All advice is welcome!

 

[Elaine M]

The worst is to let the puppy run rampant through the house and up to the cat. The cat needs to see the puppy in a carrier first, and smell him for a week before having the puppy able to come up to him.

It's a lot of stress for the cat. I'd recommend laying something over the couch to protect it just in case, and protect the cat from puppy chaos, especially body contact. A pet gate may be needed for a while.

 

[Brittany Reid]

The cat will use the furniture as a litter box to mark her territory. She's just showing a new dog that this is her home, and things go her way.
If at all possible, bring the dog over for a few hours every day, increasing the time each day so the cat has time to adjust.
I tried putting towels over parts where my cats would frequently pee, so it was less likely to soak through to the furniture. When she does pee, make her smell it, and flick her nose. She'll learn that it isn't ok to do that.