My 3 cats and puppy Pitbull

Question
I cannot seem to get my 3 cats to get along with my puppy. The cats are all aged 3 to 4 years old and will not allow my puppy to come near them. They get very scared and when the puppy is too close they gang up on her and begin to brawl. I keep them separated but I need to find a way to have some harmony, I cannot keep them separated forever. What should I do? Im so worried about my dogs being and my cats' stress level PLEASE HELP!!!

Answer
Hi Deanna,

Adult cats are not flexible about accepting new pets in their home. Unfortunately, there's absolutely no way to predict how well your cats will accept your puppy, or in what time frame that will occur.

It's possible that just having them tolerate one another in the same room is best their relationship will ever be. Thinking that your cats should allow the puppy to come near them may not be a realistic expectation.

You didn't say how long you have the puppy, and have been trying to acclimate the puppy to your cats, but it will take at least a month, and possibly two months before you can expect to see some progress.
Continue to separate the puppy from the cats when you aren't available to supervise.

Don't push the puppy on your cats, with plenty of time and patience, eventually the cats will get used to having the puppy in their home.

Best of luck,
Patti