What's the best way to introduce a puppy to two cats (one three and one ten)?

[????_l??]

I have been considering adopting getting a puppy (not for another few month though, as I'm in the process of moving), and was curious how the two cats I own will react to him/her. The cats are both calm, lazy little cats, one being an older cat and one being a younger, but mentally challenged cat. The younger one does tend to have random bursts of hyper, but only when I bring her home a new toy, or play with the cat light with her. The older one lays on the bed complaining I'm not laying on said bed with her patting her 24/7. With their personalities, what would be the best way to introduce a puppy into the home (I know they're both okay with dogs, as the neighbor downstairs from me houses shelter dogs and has brought them into my apartment; the cats have barely reacted. The only time there was a problem was when they brought in a husky/German Shepard mix - but that dog was pretty big). Would it better to go with an older dog, or is a puppy okay? I'd like to adopt from a shelter, would that make a difference to the relationship between the dog/cats? Any suggestions would be appreciated. I just don't want to get a dog and have the cats fight him for "their territory", or be afraid of him because he's younger or something.

 

[Megan]

The cats probably would not like it at first because a puppy is naturally curious about everything and would want to play with the cats. I think it would be best to get a puppy so he/she can grow up around the cats and get used to them. It would be best to crate train the puppy and don't leave it out of it's crate while you are not home.

 

[YaYaGirl]

I have 3 cats, one 8 year old male a 1 year old female and a 9 month old male. I got a Dachshund/Papillon puppy when she was 11 weeks old and she is now 6 months old. When I first got the puppy my cats didn't know what to make of her and would stay away from her and when near her hiss. My puppy is now best friends with my 9 month old male. My female cat still isn't totally sure of the puppy but has been showing a lot of interest in her and will lie done next to her when she is sleeping. My 8 year old will still hiss at her but has been getting more and more interested in her and now they chase each other in a play kind of way. When my cats want their space and not be bugged by my puppy they will get up in the cat tree where my puppy can't get at them.

Get a cat tree.

 

[Lisa]

Just leave the puppy with the cats nothing will happen maybe a scratch or two now and then but they will get used to each other. No worries. Also I would go for a puppy because older dogs might not like cats that much (depending on what they were trained). and any dog size puppies will do as long as they are puppies. as they grow up the bond will become unbreakable. all the best.

 

[Joe Schmoe]

Let him chase them around and chew on them until they get out of the house one day and run away.

 

[auroras]

You don't need to worry. Cats and dogs naturally get along. They get along fine.

 

[Tara]

The good thing about cats is there's no such thing as the "Alpha", i.e. they won't feel as threatened. If anything, the older cat will mother the puppy and the younger one will have a play buddy. I would recommend getting a puppy that grows to stay the same size, if you know what I mean? Anything too big might scare the cats.

Good luck