Can you introduce a chihuahua puppy to older cats?

Question

I might be getting a chihuahua puppy ive wanted 1 forever but i was wondering if i could introduce it to my 2 older female cats? they r both really friendly one of them even comes and puts her head on your shoulder and her arms around your neck if your lying on the bed. but she also catches mices n birds and once attacked a labrador and scratched its face.. my other cat is a hopeless hunter. ive heard you can introduce chihuahua puppies to cats succesfully but im not so sure.

Answer 1

My chihuahua puppy does fine with my cat and he is 5. Even with the pup being female and him male hasn't caused any problems either. On the way home from when you get her wrap him/her in a blanket (even if she pees on it keep it near her) this will get his/her scent on the blanket. Take the blanket in the house first, lay it in an area your cats normally are and let them sniff it. You can normally tell by that if your cats are going to have a problem.

Answer 2

They may get along just fine...it sounds like you're doing everything right. I saw a guy walking a chihuahua and a great dane the other day and it was the cutest thing ever! On the other hand, I work in an emergency animal hospital and see dogs attacked by other dogs in the household ALL THE TIME. When it's a big dog verses a small dog, the small dog usually ends up dead. When it doesn't, the owner is usually very conflicted about what to do with the dog that caused the damage. Even dogs that get along can "argue" from time to time, so it's best if dogs that live together are roughly the same size. Besides the possibility of an argument, a large dog can hurt a small one even when the two are playing nice. We had a small dog come in, paralyzed from the neck down because it was playing with a large dog and something went wrong. The owner had been there the whole time they were playing and they had not fought. The small dog ended up being euthanized. Use extreme caution in leaving your dogs alone even when you're sure they've made friends. And if you can find the little one a new home, that might be the most cautious thing you can do.

Answer 3

hi, u can introduce ur new dog to the other cats that r all ready living there as long as its a puppy. the puppy will learn its place in the family. also share ur time around with all the animals so they dont feel left out when the new arrival comes.

a another suggestion is to prodive ur cats a safe haven away from the dog. like some where high. that way the cats will safe there away from the dog.

my parents had a chihuahua when they had 3 cats and duck before the dog arrived. the dog settled in alright

Answer 4

If your cats are older and a little aggressive a chihuahua would be a pretty bad idea, especially as they are very yappy dogs. If your cats a very calm and don't mind being bothered you could give it a try. Sometimes where you buy your pet from may have a 1 night try with your pet to make sure you can manage the pet. That would be a good idea to see the cats & puppies reaction towards eachother

Answer 5

I would say it's possible but be careful. Introduce them slowly, like only when you're holding the dog. I don't know what you do for signs of aggression in a cat, but I guess remove the pup if the cats are showing signs. Also, introduce only one cat at a time. The dog being small might make them feel less threatened, but also the fact it looks like prey to them could be a problem. Because you stated they are hunters, never leave them alone together.

Answer 6

It seems to me you have to do this if you are so set on getting a puppy. There are lots of ways to bring a new pet into the home. Just be sure the pup can not be hurt by the cats. That pup is going to be a small one so the cats could get the best of him real quick. Other than that they will work things out & learn when to back off or stay away.

Or you could get a book on how to do this from Barns & Noble book store.

Good luck. ~;}

Answer 7

We have 3 cats and a new chihauhau/pug mix. Our oldest cat stays outside most of the time, and our 2 inside cats are declawed (the outside cat has claws). We have a metal crate which we kept the pup in, in our living room and it took a day or so for the cats to investigate the puppy. Now they are learning to be friends, and chase each other around the place :-)

The pup stays in the crate (cage) at night and we cover it as well, to promote sleep. We are so far pretty successful in training our new pup by making sure we take her out on a leash after solid food. All is blissful...so far!

Answer 8

Chihuahuas are mainly housepets, very loyal and friendly with the members of the family. It is a good companion dog. Courageous extremely lively, proud and enterprising, it gives and demands equal affection. They like to lick their owners faces. In a sense, they are very owner centric as when guests are present in the home, they follow their owner's every move keeping a close eye on the owner. However, Chihuahuas are not well-suited to small children because of their size and physical frailty.

Answer 9

Yes it should be fine.My husband raised a chihuahua pup now she's 12 in human years.She hates dog but loves cats there more her size I guess.Ask a vet how to do it proper I'm sure they will have you keep them separate for a week or two.Just so the cats know that the dog is there but get used to the smell.

Answer 10

I had a chihuahua for 14 yrs and every cat she met she tried run off and in short time they were best friends.

Answer 11

I wouldn't suggest it. Chi puppies are HYPER and can be bitey, your cats are not going to appreciate him running around and chasing/nipping at them, and there's a good chance one or the other is going to be injured. I would suggest you hold off on getting a puppy until your cats have lived their lives. It's not fair to bring something into their peaceful home and disturb them when they're already set in their ways.

Answer 12

You cannot, cats are solitary animals, you are only going to cause discomfort to both animals...

Answer 13

Why would you get a chihuahua puppy to begin with ? Are you trying to be Paris Hilton ? Those dogs are so ugly and annoying I hope you feel miserable with that damn dog. Why is everyon trying to be like Paris Hilton carrying those dumb dogs in purses.



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Answer 14

Yes , you will need to monitor them several times.

Answer 15

they may balk at first but in the end they will work it out.

Answer 16

no