If introductions are not “properly” done, the fur can fly if you already have another pet and add a new one to the household. Here are some steps to help your new French bulldog and old pets adjust to one another.
If you already have a pet that will not be able to accept or get along with another one, please don’t get one of our French bulldogs to your home. You are the only one that knows if your current pet will be accepting.- If there is more than one other pet at home, introduce your French bulldog to them one at a time, beginning with the alpha (head) dog or cat. Introduce them first through the crate, allowing them to see and smell each other. After a the first day, let them meet without the crate between them, but have one person there to hold each animal.
- Hold introductions in a neutral space if possible, such as in the yard or family room.
- Don’t do introductions at meal time and always separate when feeding.
- Each pet must have their own food and water bowls, bed, toys and crate or space. Show the existing pets that they will still get sufficient food, and still have their own possessions that your new French bulldog may not have.
- Keep your new French bulldog and other pets separated until they accept each other’s presence. This shouldn’t take long but until then…ALWAYS supervise all contact until their relationship is reliable and they get along well.
The adjustment might not happen overnight. Give them them sufficient time to accept each other. Introductions should be done slowly, you will know when they are ready for full on play.- Let your existing pets know the new member of the “pack” is here to stay and should be accepted. Let your new French bulldog know they are the new kid on the block and should learn to become part of the pack.
- Give sufficient attention, first, to older pets, then to your new French bulldog. Never leaving either out.
- Owners should continue to support the existing hierarchy of the pack prior to your new French bulldog’s arrival, but don’t show favoritism to one over another.
- When old and new pets can be together, play as a group and show them that they can have a good time together.
Most of all we want your family experience with your new Frenchie to be positive for you, your family and your other furry family members. These are just a few of the things that we think are important for you to know if you have pets at home.
FRENCHIES & CATS …
We have 2 cats and we get lots of questions about French bulldogs & cats. 2 of the most common questions…How well do our French bulldogs get along with our cats? Do we think that their new puppy will get along with their cat? My answer to this is if you own a cat THEN you should KNOW that the CAT decides how well they will get along. However, we do socialize our French bulldog adults and puppies with our cats. The rest is up to YOUR cat.
