Updated on April 16, 2023
Furry mates, despite the common saying that they “fight like cats and dogs,” can actually become fast friends after being properly introduced. Although the common belief holds that cats and dogs are mortal foes, many examples exist of cats and dogs coexisting together.
You can set the tone for how well a dog and cat get along for the rest of their lives by the way you introduce them. If you want your cat and dog to become fast friends, you should introduce them to one other slowly and in a safe environment.
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However, not every cat and dog will get along. The personalities of both Fido and the cat, as well as their experiences and introduction to one another, will determine whether or not they can coexist peacefully. If you follow these guidelines for introducing your dog and cat, you should be able to establish friendly relations between the two species. (At the very least, show them how to get along.)
WHAT IF MY DOG DOESN’T LIKE CATS?
Not all canines are cat-friendly, and those that are may have a strong predatory drive that could be harmful to a cat. Similarly, even the friendliest dog can be intimidating to some cats.
You should give serious consideration to getting a new pet if you already have a dog at home who doesn’t like cats. Think about the likelihood that your pets will accept a newcomer based on their age, breed, and character.
If you already have a dog and a cat but they don’t get along, you should reintroduce them to each other the way you did when they were first introduced. Your pets will learn to tolerate one another and coexist harmoniously if you use this method of training. Though your cat and dog may never become best buddies, it is possible for them to coexist peacefully and without incident.
Do not be reluctant to ask for assistance if you find that you are unable to go forward or are having difficulty doing so. If you have problems with your cat and dog getting along, consulting your veterinarian or a canine or feline behaviorist can help. Sure beats having a cat and dog, though.
HOW TO INTRODUCE A DOG TO A CAT
How a dog or puppy is introduced to a cat is the same regardless of its age.
The process of introducing a dog to a cat is the same whether you get the cat first or the dog. To help your pets adjust to the new environment and socialize with one another, you can take certain precautions beforehand.
Remember that it may take some time to get your dog and cat used to one other, so be patient and take things slowly!
STEP 1: CREATE A SAFE SPACE
If your dog or cat ever needs some quiet time to themselves, you should provide them with a secure hiding spot. Your pets will feel less anxious if they know they can run away from a bad situation and settle down somewhere quiet.
A pet-friendly diffuser that emits “pet-appeasing pheromones” may also help calm your pet and put it to sleep.
YOUR DOG’S SPACE
Your pet can have their own space with a bed, toys, and a crate. This gives them a safe place to retreat to if they need some quiet time to themselves.
If you’ve had your dog for a while, don’t disrupt his or her habit by moving the safe spot from the room where he or she normally sleeps.
YOUR CAT’S SPACE
You should provide your cat with a separate room if at all possible so that it has its own space. Include a bed, a scratching pole or cat tree, food, drink, toys, and a litter box in that secure space.
Install a baby gate in the entryway so your puppy can’t enter the room where your adult cat is protected. (Your pet cat will be able to freely enter and exit.)
It’s not enough to just use a baby gate to keep your new kitten away from the dog; you’ll need to find a safe space for it to stay in the house. For when it’s time to introduce your kitten to your dog, have a pet carrier or small dog crate ready and waiting in their secure room.
If you’ve had your cat for a while, the safest option is a room they’re already familiar with. If you’ve recently adopted a cat, a safe room can help it adjust to its new home.
You should also provide your cats with elevated perches like cat trees and cat shelves in other rooms of the house. It’s important to provide a high perch for cats to jump to in times of stress or nervousness because this helps them feel more in control and less confined.
STEP 2: SWAP SMELLS
If you want your dog and cat to start recognizing each other, but don’t want to overwhelm them with attention, scent swapping is a great option. This can be done even before you bring your new pet inside!
You can make a cloth that smells like your cat by running it over its head and body. Then, pet your dog with a different cloth, resulting in a cloth infused with dog hair and odor.
The cloth containing the other animal’s scent should then be given to your pet. Without the awkwardness of a face-to-face encounter, the cat can get a whiff of the dog’s scent and the dog can sniff the cat’s.
It’s recommended that before bringing home a new cat or dog, you pay a visit to your current pet and give them a cloth that smells like the new one. The new pet should be stroked with a cloth that can be taken home and smelled by the other pet. That way, they can meet and get to know one another before you even have to bring them inside.
STEP 3: BRINGING YOUR NEW PET HOME
When you initially bring your new cat or dog home, you must keep them isolated from one another for a few days. Keep your cat in their secure room, or your dog in theirs. They shouldn’t see each other for at least a week.
Your dog and cat will be able to see, hear, and smell one another without getting too close if you keep your cat in a baby gated room. To assist your pets get acquainted to each other, have them sit in the same room and let them watch each other for a while before introducing them in person.
In order for your cat and dog to recognize each other’s scents and get to know each other before their first face-to-face meeting, it is still vital at this time to continue petting your pets with soft cloths and exchanging them.
Pet your new cat or dog with a soft cloth, and then use the cloth to clean your home. Your dog will be able to sniff it and become used to the concept that it is now part of the household by doing this.
In addition to switching clothes, you can also switch pets by just stroking one and then the other without washing your hands in between. The sharing of scents is another way in which they can become acquainted.
STEP 4: PREPARE TO INTRODUCE YOUR DOG TO A CAT
Presently, you can introduce your dog to your cat. But before you set up any social interaction between your dogs, make sure you take your dog outside for a walk to get rid of any excess energy and eagerness.
The calmer and more comfortable your pets are, the less likely they are to respond boisterously, impatiently, or angrily.
Once you’re back inside, keep your dog on a leash so it can’t chase the cat. Preventing chasing is vital if you want your pets to get along because even if your dog doesn’t mean any harm, chasing the cat will scare it and your feline won’t want to approach the dog again.
You should also carry attractive goodies so that you can positively praise your dog’s restraint and encourage further good behavior.
STEP 5: INTRODUCTIONS
Because first impressions matter so much, it’s best to ease into them gradually. When introducing your dog and cat for the first time, do so in a quiet, stress-free environment away from other people and animals.
The first step is to have your pets mingle in a public space. The initial meeting between a new person and your dog or cat shouldn’t take place in either of their safe locations.
At least at first, you’ll want to keep Fido and Fluffy apart. If you have a new kitten, put it in a pet carrier or a tiny dog box and confine it in a room behind a baby gate. In the beginning, keep your dog at a safe distance from the crate with your kitten inside so as not to frighten or overwhelm the feline.
Keep your dog on a leash and sit outside the closed door or crate. Allow your pets to observe each other from separate rooms. Still, if your dog begins staring, you should try to divert his or her attention with a command, a toy, or a treat.
Dogs should be praised and given treats when they exhibit calm behavior such as remaining still or assuming a sitting or lying position. This will help them understand that they should be gentle around the cat and will also make them look forward to being in your cat’s company. It’s important to reinforce the idea that your dog shouldn’t focus and stare at the cat by rewarding them whenever they glance away from the cat.
However, if your dog appears overly enthusiastic or agitated, if he or she begins to tug on the leash or if he or she begins to whine and bark, you should move further away and try to distract him or her. You might try distracting them by telling them to sit or paw. If your dog stops staring at the cat and begins to behave what you ask, give him or her lots of praise and some tasty goodies.
If your dog shows no signs of calming down or being diverted from the cat, it is time to call it a day and put the creatures in separate rooms.
The first meetings should be brief and productive.
Introducing a new pet to your dog, puppy, or cat
Bringing a new cat or kitten into your home may be an exciting and rewarding experience.
It’s best to cut a session short before your pet gets worked up if you notice any signs of agitation, anxiety, or aggression. (It’ll be a good thing for the get-together and for their friendship!)
Although if your dog or cat does show any signs of stress or fear, stay calm. Stop talking to each other and put some space between them.
If your pets are sniping and barking at each other, it’s important not to yell at them or scold them, as this will teach them to associate negative emotions with each other.
You can always try again the next day, but this time slow down even more and give your dogs more room if you need to cut the interaction short.
Allow your dog and cat to meet regularly, perhaps once or twice a day, and increase the amount of time they spend together or how close they get as they become more comfortable with one another. Keep doing this every day!
Just keep in mind that there’s really no set time limit on introducing your dog to your cat. Don’t rush things, and instead, concentrate on making your home a welcoming and secure place for your pets.
NOTE: NEVER FORCE IT!
Instead of helping your pets feel comfortable among one another, forcing them to interact might generate tension and ruin your efforts.
Don’t pick up your cat and hold it close your dog. Being held and restricted will make your cat feel trapped and agitated, and they can scratch or bite you to try and escape.
Teaching your dog or puppy to get along with a cat
How to introduce your dog or puppy to a cat
Keep your dog and cat at arm’s length unless you know for certain that both are relaxed and comfortable around each other; otherwise, your dog may become overexcited or worried and behave boisterously, driving your cat away.
The ideal strategy is to keep your dog on a leash and close by, while allowing your cat to explore the situation at its own pace. This will build up your cat’s confidence whilst you work on making sure your dog learns to stay quiet.
This is because most dogs are readily trained and know a “sit” or “down”, so it’s easier to distract them or control them compared to cats. Because dogs are typically more outgoing and confident than cats, it’s preferable to introduce them slowly.
But remember your dog can still get anxious as well, so keep an eye on their body language and make sure they’re comfy too!
STEP 6: GIVING THEM MORE FREEDOM
As your dog and cat become more acquainted to one another, you can offer them a little more freedom to engage with one another and to explore the house.
At first you will still need to keep your dog on a lead in the house to prevent them from chasing the cat, or keep them in a dog box if you can’t oversee them closely.
Allow your cat the freedom to roam the house and sniff out the dog’s scent, and give it the option to approach the dog if it chooses to do so.
When both your cat and dog appear comfortable in each other’s company, it’s time to introduce a houseline lead. This is a short, lightweight leash that hangs behind your dog and won’t bother him while he plays, but if he starts following the cat, you can step on it or grasp it and stop him in his tracks. (Or to keep them from doing anything else they shouldn’t!)
The lead may be safely removed from your home in due time. In addition to being present at all times, you should also provide your cat with a number of high perches from which it may escape danger. Until you know for sure that your dog and cat can be trusted with each other, it’s not safe to leave them alone together.
FINAL NOTE: TAKE THINGS SLOWLY
It could take anywhere from a few days to a few months to successfully introduce a dog to a cat. How long it takes to introduce your pets will depend on their personality and how smoothly the introductions go. Still, there’s no rush to get your pets acquainted; in fact, it’s safer to do so in a measured, cautious fashion.
Attempting to mend a broken connection between your dog and cat is considerably more difficult and less likely to succeed than conducting a controlled introduction like this one. Furthermore, it is preferable to err on the side of caution rather than regret later.
Taking your time, or even going a little bit slower than necessary, is preferable than making a negative first impression and scaring your cat or reinforcing your dog’s natural inclination to chase the cat.
If you’re struggling or don’t seem to be making progress, don’t be hesitant to ask for help. We all need help from time to time, and introducing a dog to a cat is a hard chore!
Help introducing your dog and cat and teaching them to coexist happily by consulting with your veterinarian, a canine behaviorist, or a feline behaviorist.
