How To Introduce Your Dog To Cats

Are you planning to get a dog, but are worried about how your cat will do with it? Or do you have a dog and are considering getting a cat? Introduction to a cat for your dog can be tricky, but if you want to have them co-exist there are a few things that can help with a smooth transition. The most important thing to remember is to be patient and safe while starting this process.

Common issues between dogs and cats

Before I get into how to introduce them, let me start with a few things to help you understand why there is typically a problem between cats and dogs.

To start with, both of these animals have a genetic prey drive – so if either one gets scared and runs, it will automatically engage the other’s drive. Prey drive will cause them to want to chase, and in some cases attack, the other. This is why it is very important to keep them controlled when starting introductions.

The other thing that is important to remember is if your dog or cat has already had a negative experience with the other. This is especially true if you are getting a rescue cat or dog, and you don’t know their previous experiences – so don’t force anything.

Successfully introducing dogs to cats

Next, I will go over the main steps I’ve had success with for a proper introduction between dogs and cats.

Step one

Let the dog and cat be in the same space without actually meeting. This allows them to get used to the scent and sounds of one another. Even if they can’t see each other, this allows them to be more comfortable without any face-to-face contact. This step is beneficial to do for multiple days. Once again, no need to rush.

Step two

Let them see each other without touching, and start to read your pet’s body language and try to do some obedience with your dog. Once they are used to the smell of each other, you want to see how they respond to seeing each other. Safety is very important here, so I would recommend a leash on your dog and trying to do some obedience like sit and down. If your dog doesn’t know any obedience, back up and teach those first before the cat is present.

Reading your pet’s body language is one of the most important parts of this process. If they are stiff and staring each other down, they are most likely going to attack. If your cat is hissing, ears flat, sideways, and tail tucked, they feel threatened. If your dog is looking away, panting heavily, yawning, and tail tucked, they feel threatened. This would be a sign that neither one is comfortable, and backing up and being super positive would be more helpful.

If both your dog and cat’s body postures are relaxed, they are looking forward calmly, and with no tucked tail, you can move forward. This step may take time and that is perfectly okay!

Step three

Time to meet! This step can be stressful for a pet parent, but it’s important to have confidence in the previous steps so your stress doesn’t filter into your animals. A big mistake that is common is having them meet directly face-to-face which can cause added stress. Instead, have them meet on the side, and keep them moving past one another. If they smell each other and do well, they get treats (or affection if they aren’t food motivated).

If they smell each other and one growls or hisses, just calmly separate them and try again. Also, try to avoid having one on a raised surface. Doing this step outside or in a big open area could also be more beneficial. You want to set them up for success – as long as they do well, continue letting them interact in small increments and supervise them. Don’t leave them unattended with no way for them to escape each other. If one gets stressed out, they should be allowed to remove themselves from the situation.

In conclusion

Although these steps are simple, it’s important to remember that every dog and cat are different. It may take more time than you expect, or they could become best friends in an instant.

If you have tried these steps and are still having problems contacting a professional dog trainer may be your next step. Don’t be afraid to ask for help!