Hello!

I have two 9-year-old cats that have been with me all of their lives. I am in the process of adopting a dog, and am looking for advice about how to treat the cats. I'm prepared for how to protect the cats from the dog, but I'm concerned that my top cat is going to get her nose out of joint with the new addition. The other cat I'm not so concerned about. So, any advice on how to let her know that she's not being replaced, etc. I know how to do a cat/cat introduction, but haven't tried a dog/cat one before. The real issue is that I am going to be trying to get to know the dog and her personality and make the transition as easy on her as possible, and yet don't want the cats to get jealous.

Or should I just not overthink this and see what happens?

If neither are highly aggressive, I would just introduce them in the same slow manner you did with your cats. Make sure all your pets get the attention they need, and expect there to be a few fights and a long period of adjustment while they work the hierarchy.

If you think the cat or the dog are aggressive enough to really hurt each other, but want to try it anyway, you'll need to provide a "safe haven" for each and supervise them at least for the first week or so.

Well, I'm told that the dog is a real sweetheart, and totally OK with cats. It was the first requirement I had for the rescue group. The top cat I have has never had to actually deal with a dog up close, so I don't know how she's going to take it. Right now, the best I can say is that she treats dogs that she sees outside much the same as birds or squirrels... something fascinating to watch! The problem is that she is a very devoted cat... I spend a lot of my time with her curled up on my chest. And the spats that she and the other cat have tend to be when my other cat is crowding her on my lap. On the other hand, I'm told that the dog doesn't get on the furniture, so it may all work out well. Dog on the rug, Rana on my chest, Pyret curled up on the back of the sofa, pet each in alternation. So I'm crossing my fingers.