may be adopting a puppy soon, how to introduce it to my 11 year old cat?

[honeypunch33]

my mother said she is thinking of letting me get a new puppy in the next few months, but we have an eleven year old cat already. if we do end up adopting, i am afraid either one could get hurt. my cat may be old, but she can be a grouch at times, and is very active, fast, and has all of her nails. [we get a dead rabbit almost every morning ]

how do i show my cat the new member, but also let her know that she is still important, and to not be aggressive or afraid?

 

[artsmom]

Keep them apart for a few days at least. Put them in adjoining rooms where they can sniff at each other under the door. In my experience cats usually subdue dogs pretty quickly. You'll want the cat to get used to the dog a bit before they have a chance to have physical contact so the dog doesn't get hurt. Once you've introduced them don't leave them alone without human supervision for a few days or weeks, until you're very sure they are friends or at least reached detante.

 

[.0NE TRlCK P0NY ?]

Set the cat on the back of the couch and turn the puppy loose in the room. The two animals will handle the rest. They have to meet and determine hierarchy sooner or later; may as well get that out of the way right at the start.