Combining Dogs and Cats
If there’s one thing a companion animal appreciates, it’s another animal companion. Introducing cats and dogs often requires some extra effort.
Cats are usually afraid of dogs, even if the dog has no interest in the cat, and those fears should be respected. With a new dog around, sometimes a cat will go into hiding until the cat feels secure, curious, or hungry enough to come out. Your cat will need time to adjust to the changes. Be patient. You can expect hissing and maybe even a quick attack.
Most dogs will greet a new cat with enthusiasm - way too much enthusiasm for the cat’s liking. Therefore, you must be sure your cat can get to a safe and secure place, but can’t actually runaway and get lost. Do not force them together too quickly. This could terrify the cat. So, let the cat go at his own pace.
Some cats will stand up to the dog and put him back in his place with a quick swat of the paw. Often a dog will quickly get the idea and back down. If the dog minds his manners around the cat, soon the cat will feel less threatened, and you’re on your way. Sometimes things don’t go that easily. No matter how rocky the start, they will establish their own relationship. They may become friends, or they may learn to just live with each other.
However, their lives will become more interesting by the company of the other. At the very least, this makes for less loneliness and boredom for the animal that used to be alone. Often, it is the start of a deep friendship.
Here are some suggestions for introducing the cat and the dog, working from the most fearful feline’s point of view.
Separate the animals in the house before they meet. The new animal should be in the smaller space with everything he needs.
New Cat: Keep the new cat in his crate until you are in the room with the door closed. Even then, place the crate in a quiet spot and wait a few minutes before opening the door. If the cat wants to stay in the cage or run under a sofa or a bed, let him. Keep food, water, and litter pan handy. Talk softly to the cat and go about your business calmly. If you get a chance to pet the cat, you can get some of the cat’s scent on your hands and clothes. Then, you can go out of the room and let the dog smell the new cat on you. Get the dog smell on you by petting him, and then return to the cat to let him smell the dog on you. Go back and forth a few times.
New Dog: If the dog is new, put him in a room with his water, food, blanket, crate, and chew toy, and exchange smells in the above manner. Be sure the dog is given a chance to eliminate outside. Keep him on a short leash when passing anywhere near the cat, and avoid a direct meeting. Praise and treat appropriate responses.
If the cat seems curious about meeting the dog, they can smell each other under the door. If that goes well, you can open the door a crack to let them actually touch noses. Then close the door to give the cat a chance to digest all this new information.
This is a good time to gently rub down both pets with the same used dryer sheet or used sock. Getting a similar scent on both animals will ease their sense of territoriality. When the cat seems ready to continue meeting the dog, interested in exploring, or just relatively calm, put the dog on his leash and calmly open the door. Keep the dog gently and firmly controlled on leash.
Separate the animals again if this does not go smoothly. Don’t get angry with the dog or cat, as this will simply heighten all the tension. Anytime the dog acts properly around the cat, reinforce the good behavior with praise and/or treats.
Cats like to observe from a distance. Your cat may be happiest watching the dog from the top of a bookcase or dresser. You might even want to put his bed in one of these special places. Always be sure your cat has a place to escape to, in case the dog slips off his leash or there is a confrontation when you are not at home. If your dog is aggressive toward your cat, you need to keep them safely separated when you are not at home or anytime that you are not able to watch them.
