How to introduce my parents' cat to my puppy?

[Zizzler]

I am adopting my parents' cat because their house is getting foreclosed on and where they are moving cats are not allowed. However, this cat is old (8 to 10 yro) and can be cranky and with my parents' dog when she is rough with him. I am not worried about him hurting my puppy because he is declawed and usually just paws at my parents' dog when she is being overly excited with him. Kinda get my drift as to why I am concerned about this transition? I am just so stressed about him being stressed or my puppy being stressed and I don't know what to do. I do not want to let my childhood cat go to a rescue where he will likely not get adopted due to his age and then likely be put down or live the rest of his life in a shelter. I will not trust a stranger on craigslist or classified ads to take him either because I cannot ensure he will be loved and properly taken care of in his final years. I would rather jump off a cliff than give him up and I have already asked friends if they would like a loving cuddle-bunny of a cat. How can I make this a good transition into my home w/ my 5 month old puppy? I repeat, my cat is NOT going to a rescue and I am determined to make this work, please help. Any suggestions for transitioning him into my home will be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

[Sharon]

Have they ever spent any time together (puppy and cat)? They may just get along perfectly. Some dogs are good with cats. You could observe their interactions for a time and see how things go. Puppies are usually still moldable. Your dog may realize who is the alpha pet. If all else fails, you can give your cat its own room away from your puppy. Make sure he has a place to get away where he can't be reached. Eventually they will become friends, and if that doesn't happen, they will at least reach a civil understanding.

 

[Lelee]

Make or buy a cat lounge tree so he can look down on his world. You will also need a covered litter box. The puppy might have a problem with an open one. Most pet stores have some you can look at. Your nice senior cat deserves a nice retirement home where he can sleep and eat in peace. Cats climb because they see better up off the floor. You may need to see what he needs to walk up as I do not know how well he can climb, but I think he will not have problems as long as he can have a private place that dogs can not get to. If there is a quiet bedroom that gets little traffic would make him happy. Best away from entrances and near an interesting window to watch birds. Your parents will love to visit him too where he is happy. Do you have a guest bed room? Introduce the cat on neutral ground if you can but it is more important that he be allowed to ignore the dogs as much as possible and only dane to meet them when he is ready. I am sure he is not a dog fan an will be happy to not have to interact with a mire puppy.