Is Your Cat Mad at You for Getting a Dog? (how to help)

Cats are very territorial and don’t like changes. The cat will act annoyed if you get a new dog, cat, or plant. But will they get mad at you for it?

Cat probably won’t get mad or dislike you, but they won’t be pleased with the newcomer, whether dog or cat. To ensure this doesn’t happen, secure that the new dog gets along with the cats. Introduce them gradually, and expect your cat to be agitated for a few days, if not weeks.

Many cat owners often wonder if the feline’s distance is a sign of personal resentment. In reality, while your cat might be thrown off by the new addition, it doesn’t mean they love you any less; they’re just adjusting.

Most cats will adapt, and there is rarely a cat that won’t get along with a new puppy if you make proper, gradual introductions. However, we all make mistakes, and relationships can get damaged or changed so keep reading on how to prevent this.

Do Gets Get Mad When Getting a Dog?

Cats do not think in such terms as humans, meaning they won’t get mad, per se. However, depending on the depth of your relationship, they may be upset. Older cats typically dislike changes in habit, but with time, they usually adapt.

It’s vital to note that your cat’s initial unease doesn’t indicate a lack of affection towards you. Rather, it’s their way of processing the change.

She may grow accustomed to the dog, and they may become excellent friends and have a lot of fun together. But there’s always a slight chance the cat may despise the dog and not adapt. If you introduce them properly, you may protect your relationship with the cat. 

On the other hand, the cat may learn to endure and live with the dog without difficulty, and their behavior may remain the same.

When it comes to starting to claw at you, it’s very uncommon for a stressed-out cat to take it out on the owner or another cat in the household, even if the stressor is entirely unrelated.

The best thing you can do is make sure the cat has plenty of places to hide and get away from the dog/puppy when needed. Keep the dog well supervised so it never has a chance to harass the cat or start chasing it.

Consider setting up a ‘safe zone’ in your home exclusively for your cat. This can be a room equipped with their favorite toys, bed, and litter box where they can retreat and recharge without the puppy around. Also, continue to pay attention to the cat, comforting it as it allows while respecting their need for time and space to adjust.

How to Make Your Cat Accept a New Dog?

It would help if you adequately introduced the cat and dog.

Using calming sprays or diffusers that release cat-friendly pheromones can help reduce anxiety and make initial introductions smoother. Remember, a relaxed cat is more likely to approach a new puppy with curiosity rather than fear.

Some cats may not enforce their boundaries, but most will. Regardless, all cat-dog interactions should occur under close supervision at first. It would help if you intervened when a cat is reluctant or unable to enforce limits.

It’s all about preparing your cats for success and making appropriate introductions. 

Before bringing a new dog home, place kitty shelves in the main living room with various escape routes. This allows the cat to remain in the room and participate in social activities without being subjected to puppy pranks.

Bring the dog into a locked room and feed them both from opposite sides of the door. The animals will eat, smell, and become accustomed to each other’s odors. Allow them to smell each other through the door. Allow them to meet with supervised visits if everything appears fine after a day or two.

When getting a puppy, remember that pups can be tricky, and cats don’t always know how to deal with it. 

Your puppy may try to bite at your cat’s neck when playing. Since cat and dog languages are different, your cats and puppies must learn each other’s languages. This takes time, so if things get out of hand, redirect. We also have a guide on male dog/male cat household.

In any event, you should give the cats their place away from the dog and escape routes from any shared space. You can use a baby gate with a small cat door built-in.

Bring the lead inside the home. Puppies will want to play and may even try to pursue the cat. This is especially true if your dog has a strong prey drive or is a herding breed. Keeping the puppy on a drag lead can help you stop cat chasing before it starts and focus your puppy on more appropriate toys.

How Long Does It Take for a Cat to Accept a Dog?

Since cats are possessive and become stressed when the dog invades their area, it could take them weeks or months to acclimate to the new puppy in the house.

They may become best friends and snuggle buddies, but they may also accept each other in the same house and learn to live their own lives separately while sharing with you. 

Your cat may dislike your new puppy for various reasons, as shown in this video:

You can’t truly make them like each other. However, you can keep establishing a supportive, healthy, loving environment where they can thrive.

Will Your Cat Hurt a New Puppy?

Both cat and a dog could get hurt if not introduced properly. There could be many frightening messages your dog sends to your cat that you aren’t even aware of, whether through the eyes or body language.

You could separate your dog and cat if they don’t get along. Kitty could have access to the back of the house, while the dog could access the front. To clearly define territory, install a baby gate in the corridor.

For your pet’s safety, keep your cat’s and puppy’s claws and paws trimmed. It is nearly unavoidable that your cat or cats will set limits. This may result in a hiss and a swat. Keeping the claws trimmed helps prevent swat injuries. 

Also, the puppy will try to play with the cats, so keeping their paws trimmed helps keep your cats safe from a flying pouncing paw.

Make careful to schedule time away from the puppy for your cats. They need to know you still love them and have fun with them. Playing with your cat builds their confidence and keeps you close to them. Exercised cats are less likely to attack other pets.

FAQs

Do cats get mad when getting a new kitten?

Cats are territorial, and an adult feline intruder may irritate your cat. That said, adult cats usually accept new kittens far more quickly than new adult cats. New people or pets in the house might make cats envious or make them feel like their area is being invaded, but eventually, they’ll settle down.

Do gets cat mad for taking them to the vet?

Cats dislike change, so a trip to the vet will make them anxious. However, your cat will relax once you and your partner return to a routine. My pets have never carried a grudge against going to the vet, and I’m sure your cat won’t be mad at you, either.

How to tell if a cat is upset with you?

Upset cats will turn their head or body away. Your cat may approach you, engage with you, and suddenly disappear. Excited and anxious meowing and biting that begin to hurt are symptoms that the cat is distressed. They may be irritated if their tail twitches or slaps (or if they try to slap YOU).