How to Introduce a New Dog to Your Cat: As much as you want your two cherished dogs to get along, it probably won't happen right away. Collen Demling-Riley, a canine behaviorist at Dogtopia, offers the advice "Move slow to go fast!" "It will be much tougher for the dog and cat to become buddies if they initially interact negatively."

How to Introduce a New Dog to Your Cat

 

 

 

Cats might get fearful and anxious if they feel as though their personal space is in danger. Check your cat's mood before introducing them. Fortunately, cats use their bodies to communicate non-verbally a lot. There are many hints about a cat's attitude in its tail.

 

 

 

First Step: Separate but Close Enough to Smell One Another

Demling-Riley recommends keeping the cat and dog apart for the first two weeks at the very least. Use a robust fence or a crate to keep the dog from coming into touch with the cat when it is wandering about the home. Make sure the cat is in a room with the door locked when it's the dog's turn to explore the home. Keep your attention on fragrance communication while you're in the phase. Put a blanket or sock with your dog's fragrance in your cat's area, and something with your dog's scent in your cat's area. Move on to the following stage if they don't exhibit any symptoms of tension, fear, or hostility.

 

Second Step: Leave Your Pet Alone.

According to Danielle Bernal, a worldwide veterinarian with Wellness Natural Pet Food, "it's crucial to build up a moderate and consistent desensitization by progressively increasing the amount of touch to minimize the reaction of both cat and dog." Make sure your cat has elevated and secure viewing areas, such as the top of the refrigerator, sofa, or bookshelf, to survey their house while you cautiously open doors and gates. A professional cat behaviorist with Wellness Natural Pet Food, Rachel Geller, Ed.D., claims that vertical space can help your cat establish rank and authority without resorting to aggressive behavior. Additionally, your cat will appreciate having access to ground-level shelters like cat tunnels, hiding spots beneath furniture, and cardboard boxes. Make sure you feed both pets a lot.

 

 

 

 

Third Step: Simple Interactions

Try introducing your pets in the same room if there haven't been any

growling or hissing outbursts while they've been in different rooms.

Watch for indications that the introduction is going smoothly. "When in

the same room, happy dogs and cats will display casual curiosity for

one another and adopt calm body postures. There won't be any

vocalization, and it will be simple to divert the animals if necessary,

according to Demling-Riley. If the dog stiffens, growls, or gives the cat

a death gaze, or if the cat hisses, pins its ears, or wags its tail, never

let the creatures be together. Give them a one-minute pause if things

aren't going well, then try again. When you try again, make sure the

dog is on a leash and the cat is perched on a high area. When both

pets react calmly, compliment them. "The pup and cat should spend

time together in the rest of the house and with fewer obstacles as they

get more accustomed to one another," advises Demling-Riley. Your pets

will be prepared to meet after a week or two of scent trading and neighborhood visits, but only when they are both calm and not overly enthusiastic. Both pets need to be able to get out of their crates or

cages; otherwise, they'll feel as though they have nowhere to go if they

need to hide. Each animal should be separated by a baby gate, which

should be on the opposing ends of the shared space. Let's both observe

each other doing something constructive, like playing. Offer goodies while speaking softly. Be on one side initially, let the session run for a while, and then the following time, be on the side of the other animal. Give each participant an incentive as the sessions go longer.

Fourth Step: Treats!

If everything is going well, you might begin to associate food with good feelings. By dining together, cats and dogs can come to know one another a bit better. Maintain them comfortably apart and put a highly wanted treat in each of their bowls. Maintain them comfortably apart and put a highly wanted treat in each of their bowls. Move the bowls closer as the dog and cat get more at ease with one another. The cat and dog learn that good things happen when the other is around by eating in front of each other, claims Geller.

 

Fifth Step: Allow your pets to interact directly.

You'll eventually be able to tell when it's appropriate to take down the baby gate and allow your dogs to interact. Only do this if you believe your animals are ready; perhaps your timid cat is showing more interest in your dog, and your dog isn't hiding in places when he sees your cat. Remove the barrier between your dog and cat after they are comfortable, paying close attention to their body language.Keep your dog on a leash, but don't make it too tight; simply connect the harness to a base so you can pull it back in an emergency. You want the animals to be free and not to fear being with one another. Maintain a mild and brief engagement; after a few minutes of peaceful, polite conduct, remove your dogs and try again the following day for a little longer.

 

Finally!

Dr. Bernal advises reducing the space between your cat and dog every day as long as neither shows any indications of tension, anxiety, or fear. When the animals are present in the same space, show them attention and give them rewards. According to Dr. Bernal, your cat will eventually figure out that a dog's presence signals playfulness, rewards, food, and attention. If all goes according to plan, the cat will cease isolating itself and resume its regular routine. However, Demling-Riley cautions that you should err on the side of caution and keep the dog and cat apart when you are gone for at least the first 30 days. When left alone at home, they could eventually become the best of friends—or at the very least, tolerate one another.home, they could eventually become the best of friends—or at the very least, tolerate one another.