Steps to Introduce a Cat to a Dog
Even though you may envision your new cat and dog curled up on the sofa together in snuggly bliss , it may take a piece of metre to get to that point . Do n’t rush the operation . Let your pets execute the unconscious process , and do n’t force it . Above all , remain patient and be as calm as possible . Work stepwise using this gradual approach .
1. Make Sure Everyone Is Healthy
Beforeintroducing a catto a click , you ’ll need to have both pets examined by your veterinarian . Even though they ’re unlike species , they can still go diseases or sponge to each other , such asworms , fleas , ringworm , andrabies . Do n’t let them interact or even divvy up the same areas until they both check out with a clean neb of health .
2. Keep Them Separated
Anytime youbring a new Caterpillar home plate , it ’s best to keep them confined to a room for a few days . leave them to roam the entire home right away can be overwhelming . Place your cat in a spare bedroom or bathroom with their litter box , food , water , seam , and quite a little of space to veil . Likewise , if you ’re play home a new weenie to greet your establish khat , keep the whelp confined in a separate way . Dogs are n’t quite as sore when it come to new environments , but your cat might not prize a new critter invading their place .
ensure the room has a secure door that is n’t at risk of being pushed open by either ducky . The cat will ease into their fresh surround while your dog gets habitual to the fact that there ’s a new presence in the house . Keep the pet apart for at least three to five days , or until they ’re both settle .
3. Mix Their Scents
While the pet are break , they ’ll smell each other under the doorway , but you’re able to aid move thing along by unify their olfactory property . Every day , swop a favourite item from each of the room . This works well with soft belongings , such as a towel , mantle , bed , or carrier . The favorite will sniff and explore the detail as a style to learn about each other . Just be certain to keep an eye out to seeif the cat sprayson any dog point ; this could mean the cad ’s presence causes them stress , in which case you ’ll postulate to wait a while longer .
4. Let Them “Meet” Through a Closed Door
Food certainly brings people together , and it can work for pets , too . If both pets seem calm and unfazed by the other ’s smell , try feed them at the same time on either side of the door . During the repast , they ’ll smell each other , reek the other ’s nutrient , and begin to associate the other pet with something electropositive – food !
5. Allow the New Pet Out to Explore
While your frank is at day care or out on a pass with a friend , let your guy out to safely explore the firm . This will give your Modern friend a chance to become familiar with their succeeding home and permit them experience more of the dog ’s smells . you could do a similar swap by placing your cat in a separate room and permit your novel dog check out the house .
6. Work on Dog Commands
" last out , " " Come , " and " Drop it " are important commands for all dogs to jazz , but they ’ll especially come in handy when inclose a cat and dog for the first fourth dimension . employment on basic obedience with your pup in preparation for their first face - to - face get together . verify you understand theirbody languageso you could study them .
7. Consider Pheromone Sprays
investigator are always learn more about the cat - dog relationship , andnew evidence suggestspheromone sprays could help . You ’ve probably heard ofFeliway , a cat-o'-nine-tails - appeasing pheromone used to ease stress in cats , but there ’s a similar pheromone for wienerwurst calledAdaptil . think buy a diffusor of each to plug away in most or within a common area where the positron emission tomography will eventually interact . you could also get spray bottles to spritz as require . If you may only get one product , prefer Adaptil , since the study discover it has amore significant impactthan just Feliway .
8. Initiate a Supervised Meet-and-greet
When both pets are tranquil and going about their normal stage business , you’re able to do for their first meeting . Plan to do this in a mutual area away from the new favorite ’s room or any place your occupant favourite feel in particular comfortable , like their bed or napping surface area . The common area will process as neutral ground , so neither feels threaten .
Take your frump for a long walkway or hike up beforehand , so they ’re not full of nervous vigor . Then , have them on a leash in the mutual expanse and apprise them to " pose " or settle into a comfortable spot while you spread the door to let kitty enter the quad . Calmly sit next to your hot dog and reinforce them with treat ( as long as they remain calm – if they freak out or act unquiet , do not honour the behavior ) while your hombre roams the vulgar area . Because they are on leash , you have control condition and can keep them from fright the cat with sudden progression or playful movements .
If either pet demo any signs of hostility or fear , like lunging , growling , hissing , swatting , or hiding , tell them immediately . It can be wise to have a familiar friend in the way to help contain . Make certain you and/or someone you bank is in controller at all times for the prophylactic of everyone involved .
9. Reward Positive Behavior
Usepositive reinforcementto create a good experience for both the kat and dog . If your heel is incessantly being scolded whenever the cat-o'-nine-tails is out , they may associate the newfangled favourite with reverence and disconfirming experience . This is just as bad as rewarding their uneasy energy with petting or treats .
or else , pay back all in effect behaviors ( and only just behavior ) . Give your dog a treat if they stay in a relaxed position while kitty roams . Reward them for being quiet instead of barking with excitement . Praise them for lightly sniffing the cat ’s bottom . Offer your cat the same confirming rewards with treats , pets , or soothing praise when they ’re unagitated around the dog .
Keep it confident . If your dog-iron react negatively , do not acknowledge them with comfort affirmations that everything will be all good . This repay their minus , nervous energy . Instead , redirect them and reset expectations ( perhaps by taking them to another way for a while , or deflect them with a potty stumble alfresco ) , and wait to positively reward them until they shew the correct behavior you are look for .
10. Practice, Practice, Practice
It ’s highly unlikely your quat and frank will become besties after their first introduction . Repeat light day-after-day meetings until they get used to each other . When your andiron no longer want to chamfer the hombre and your big cat can confidently take the air around the elbow room , you may try let them off leash . Always supervise fundamental interaction until you palpate sure neither pet may hurt the other ( even unintentionally ) .
Introducing a Kitten to a Dog
You ’ll want to trace the same overture when introducing a kitten to a cad . Some mass say this scenario is a little wanton because untried true cat are usually more open to new experiences , like suffer a raw acquaintance . There ’s also a slim luck they ’ve had any negative experiences with a dog that could bear on how they oppose to your pup .
Even though kitty are typically less fearful around dogs than grownup cats , their small size of it brings up other challenges . It ’s possible for an enthusiastic andiron to incidentally injure a small kitty when meeting . A spooked kitty could also scrape up the dog out of care , and if you chance to lay eyes on the kitten , they could get you , too .
Things to Keep in Mind
Be aware of these tips before and when introducing a qat and dog .
How Long Does It Take to Introduce a Cat and Dog?
It ’s hard to say incisively how long it ’ll take for your khat and bounder to get along , but it can take weeks to months or even years for some PET to permit each other . regrettably , some true cat and frump may never become supporter . Each animate being has a singular personality , along with a account that could impact their interactions . But it ’s important to remembercats and frump are n’t lifelike foeman , so there ’s a good chance your two fur baby will live peacefully together . Simply go slow , superintend their interactions , and rent their bond uprise with time .
