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How should I behave around my cat as it adjusts to a new puppy?
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December 29th, 2012
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My husband decided we should get a puppy, so we went out and adopted one today. We have a year-old cat that, until now, was the only animal in the house. She’s usually a sweetheart, loves to sleep on us, and is never mean to anyone.
I know the puppy is a huge adjustment for her and she feels jealous and threatened by it. She has hissed at it a few times, but has yet to swat at it. It’s only 6 weeks old, so it has mostly been sleeping. The cat has seen both my husband and I holding the puppy, but we’ve been giving her extra attention and love.
The puppy was lying on the floor sleeping and she kept walking up to it, sniffing, sometimes hissing, and then backing away. I was sittin on the couch, nowhere near the puppy, and she climbed up on me like she always does, so I was petting her and talking sweet to her. Suddenly, she hissed at me. She hasn’t done this to my husband at all. Now she won’t come near me.
It’s only day 1, and I know it’ll take time, but the cat still has her claws and I’m worried she’ll scratch me if I try to love on her when she’s obviously pissed at me. She’s now sleeping on my husband’s lap, no hissing.
What should I do? Give her space or be persistent?
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