How to Introduce Cats to Dogs

Introducing cats and dogs when they are immature can be very difficult for these two animals. However, you can take steps to help both get used to each other safely and in their own time. Whether you’re looking to introduce a new cat to a home where you have a dog or vice versa, a few simple actions to help these two animals get to know each other can make your home feel harmonious despite having multiple pets.

Introducing a Pet Dog to a New Cat

1. Practice basic commands before bringing your cat home.

If you already have a dog and are planning to bring home a new cat, start working harder on teaching the dog obedience on basic commands before introducing it to the cat. Even though dogs are curious and want to enter the cat’s personal space, the cat will need some space and time to get used to it. Train the dog to “sit” and “stay” so you can prevent the dog from upsetting the cat.

1. If you can, train your dog in a busy room with lots of people and distractions. The goal is to make sure the dog will listen even if he is excited about the new cat.
2. If you’re still trying to practice basic commands with your dog, read up on the information available online.

2. Try introducing your dog to cats who are used to dogs.

If the dog’s first meeting with the cat is when you bring the new pet home, he will likely be excited, stressing the cat out. Ask your friends who have dogs as well as cats if you can take your dog into a controlled environment so he can meet and get used to a cat that isn’t afraid of dogs first.

3. Tie your dog

You should restrain your dog when you bring a new cat into your home, as well as any other times that the two animals meet through the introduction process. Even if the meeting is taking place inside your home, you can restrain the dog to put yourself in control of the situation. This will keep the dog away from the cat when commands and redirects fail.

4. Keep the cat isolated in one of the rooms.

You will most likely have to keep the two animals apart for a while until the dog and cat show that they can work together. If the cat is a newcomer, don’t overwhelm him with a dog and a big new house. After you bring a cat home, bring her crate into a room with bedding, food, water, toys, and a litter box. Let him be alone there and make sure your dog cannot enter this room. Depending on how quickly the cat gets used to its new environment, you may want to leave it in the room for a few days before introducing it to your dog. Also Read:Why do birds fly in a V formation?

1. To help get him used to dog scents, let the dog sleep in your old t-shirt and then move the shirt into the room the cat is occupying and vice versa. These two animals can sniff each other out before actually meeting.
2. If the introduction process takes more than a few days, start changing the animals you are keeping in a particular room. This will allow the cats to start exploring your home more freely, and the two animals will be surrounded by each other’s scent to help them introduce themselves.

5. Provide a diversion for the dog

When you finally get these two animals together in the same room, you should keep the dog busy enough to let the cat explore and approach it of its own accord. Consider distracting the dog with his favorite toy, especially if it can be filled with his favorite treat so he can try to get to the treat instead of bothering the cat.

1. You can also take the dog for a run before the meeting. This way, he can drain his energy and will be calmer around cats.

6. Make sure your cat has a smooth escape route.

Don’t let the dog get in the way of exiting the room. Let the cat have an outlet if he gets nervous. Feeling cooped up with the dog will only add to his anxiety when he is reunited with the dog. If he has to run away, letting him escape will help expedite the meeting process.

1. While the cat is exploring the house, save a cat tower or perch in one of the rooms it regularly visits. This will provide a high place for the cat to get away from the dog when he needs to rest.

7. Meet the dogs and cats for five or ten minutes at a time

The goal of the introduction session is to get the cat out while everything is still going well. This session should only last five to ten minutes or before the dog loses patience with the toy, refuses to be told, and becomes curious about the cat.

1. If a cat arches its back, its fur fluffs up, and it hisses, it means it is feeling stressed and threatened by your dog. Unfortunately, your confused dog will stare at him and a direct stare is a threat to the cat, who will feel even more anxious and threatened. Get the dog out of the room to provide relief to the cat when the situation is stressful for both parties as it usually comes to a head. Don’t make both animals feel afraid of each other.

8. Provide treats and attention for cats.

Speak calmly to the cat during each encounter and try to make the experience as enjoyable for the cat as possible. Sit on the floor and if the cat approaches you, greet it and give it a treat. The goal is to make every meeting a positive experience.

9. Feed the two animals on different sides of the door.

Between brief encounters, you can also take steps to get the two animals used to it, such as feeding them on different sides of a closed door. This will help both animals get used to each other’s company.

1. If the cat is too scared to eat, move the bowl a few steps away from the door until she is no longer frightened, and move her food 5 to 10 cm closer to the door each time she eats.

10. Continue to take advantage of brief encounters.

These encounters take time and patience but continue to conduct dog-cat encounters in controlled situations. The two cats will go through periods of sniffing each other out, but eventually, you will need to continue to supervise the interaction until the dog is calm and ignores the cat, and the cat is still eating and doing its thing without the dog being distracted.

1. Add interaction time while still restraining the dog while the two animals are getting to know each other. The goal is for both animals to be receptive and at ease in each other’s company. After this, you can try removing the leash on the dog around the cat.

11. Try unsupervised interactions.

Supervise the cat and dog around each other for a few moments before leaving them alone. Wait until one month of good behavior with no sign of either animal feeling threatened before allowing the two together unsupervised.

Introducing Pet Cats to New Dogs

1. Learn how cats value your home.

The cat sees your home as its territory, and it will see the dog as an intruder. If you let your dog into your home (which is a poor way of introducing a dog to a new home no matter what the circumstances), this is an extreme challenge for your cat. This will make him feel threatened by the dog’s existence even though the dog is very cute.

2. Lock the dog in one of the rooms.

Instead of keeping the dog behind a closed door, use a baby fence or other barrier. This will allow the cat to research the dog in a relaxed manner and in an easy way to get away if it wants to. Choose a room that is not very important to the cat (bed or litter box) and is rarely visited.

1. To help the cat get used to dog smells, let the dog sleep in your old t-shirt and move it to one of the cat’s favorite rooms and vice versa. This will allow both animals to sniff each other without having to do it in person.

3. Distract the dog’s attention when the cat approaches.

If you notice the cat getting curious and approaching the dog’s crate, try distracting the dog at this point. Give him his favorite toys, practice new commands, and more. The goal is to distract the dog from the cat so he can watch and study the dog without being distracted.

1. While this isn’t always possible for a new puppy or adult dog, you should try to teach your dog basic commands before letting him in the same room as a cat, so you can command him to “sit” or “stay” if he starts to get too interested in cats.

4. Let the cat explore your new dog crate.

Especially if your new dog is still small, wait until he is sleepy and sleeping in the crate and then place the closed crate in one of the cat’s favorite rooms. Dogs that are in closed cages (and in familiar rooms) will make the cat dare to approach and sniff them.

5. Introduce the two while still keeping the dog on the leash.

When the two pets see each other without having to be crated, make sure your new dog is restrained to give you more control over the situation. You should also provide your dog’s favorite toy or treat to distract him and allow the cat to scrutinize it unnoticed.

1. You can also take the dog for a run before the meeting. This way, he can drain his energy and will be calmer around cats.

6. Make sure your cat has a smooth escape route.

Don’t let the dog get in the way of exiting the room. Let the cat have an outlet if he gets nervous. Feeling cooped up with the dog will only add to his anxiety when he is reunited with the dog. If he has to run away, letting him escape will help expedite the meeting process.

7. Let the cat dictate the pace of the meeting.

Every time these two animals meet, let the cat manage the length of interaction. Take the dog that was restrained to one of the rooms that the cat usually visits and call the cat. Keep the dog restrained and distracted while the cat sniffs and explores. Give lots of treats and praise while the process is going on. As the cat becomes comfortable around the dog (and begins to associate the dog with the treat), you will start to see it become more resigned and interested in the dog.

1. This process still requires patience. If the dog starts paying too much attention to the cat and the cat starts to get stressed, move the dog to a confined area.
2. Don’t force the cat to stay still longer than it wants to. Even if the dog ignores the cat, it will likely get bored around the dog and start walking away. Let him go and try to bring the two together next time.

8. Continue to take advantage of brief encounters.

These encounters take time and patience but continue to conduct dog-cat encounters in controlled situations. The two animals will go through periods of sniffing each other out, but eventually, you will need to continue to supervise the interaction until the dog remains calm and ignores the cat, and the cat remains calm while eating and doing its thing without the dog being distracted.

1. Add interaction time while still restraining the dog while the two animals are getting to know each other. The goal is for both animals to accept each other and settle down when they are around each other. After this, you can try removing the leash on the dog around the cat.

9. Try unsupervised interactions.

Supervise cats and dogs when they are near each other for a few moments before letting them alone together. Wait until they have behaved well for about a month with no sign of either animal feeling threatened before letting the two of them together unsupervised.