introducing puppy to cat

[oonga]

hi guys,
i am new to these boards, generally i have been just reading stuff.
my partner and i are going to get a puppy Rotty, in a week and a half.
she will be about 14weeks old then.
we have a 7year old cat who is quite timid, and i know it will take our cat a while to accept our dog, but i firmly believe that with time they will tolerate each other, and hopefully even actually like each other :)
anyhow the question is how is the best way to introduce them and then teach our dog not to chase the cat or attack/hurt etc....
we are going to have our bedroom as the safe spot for the cat and the dog won't be allowed in there, we are moving her food bowl etc... into the ensuite, so she can eat in there away from the dog, also so the dog doesn't eat her food LOL not sure how we would train the dog not eat her food!!
so any input from those of you in this position would be greatly appreciated :)
cheers
oonga

[Ayoka]

I got bear at 9 months and he moved into Kitty palace...we have 5 adult cats...We introduced them while bear was on a leash and they are NOT fond of him at all. The best we can hope for is a somewhat peaceful coexistance. During the day I keep him kenneled so he can't terrorise (he loves to chase).....and eat their food (loves to eat even more). When I'm home I keep him downstairs with a baby gate across the stairs so the cats have the other 2 floors to themselves...they are smart enough not to venture downstairs.

I have taken him to other homes with younger cats and both Bear (on leash)and the cats seem to do fine...so I think our old cats are just set in their ways...or maybe have even had bad experiences with dogs in their previous homes

I'd try introducing the dog to the kitty on leash but after that If things don;t go well, I don't know what you can do to make the dog stop chasing.

I've just learned to keep the animals seperate. Maybe I can learn from yourt posting too...

[pupmama]

Our two cats (who are going on four years old and sisters) have different tolerance levels for 9 week old Kona. Missy, is not afraid of her anymore and will lay on her back near her and they will play with one another to a certain extent. Missy will bat at Kona and hiss at her, but not run, unless she feels cornered.

Cleo on the other hand will have little to do with Kona, unless she is crated or asleep and then she will sniff her. If Kona approaches her at all, she growls, hisses and runs upstairs (where Kona cannot go). I have noticed that Cleo is getting braver about making appearances while Kona is awake and think that it just may take her much longer to warm up to her.

We have a baby gate up (to keep Kona away from the litter box and cats' food bowl) which seems to simplify everyone's life right now. We are looking into a top-entry cat box to eliminate the litter box issue. The animals all share community water bowls, which seems to work out fine.

Overall, I am pleased with their progress together.