Best Way to Introduce Dogs to New House With Cats

Introducing Dogs to Cats

Whether you lot already take a canis familiaris and are considering getting a cat, or vice versa, it is very important to think nigh their first introduction. By letting a loose cat and an off-leash dog meet each other in an open up room for the first time, you are probably setting up both animals to fail. Instead, programme alee and take your time.

Matching Cats and Dogs

• If you lot're thinking of getting a cat for your canis familiaris or a dog for your cat, it'southward important to consider both animals' personalities. Information technology may be helpful to look for a companion that has already been exposed to the other species in the past.
• If a dog attempts to aggressively chase, pin, choice upward or otherwise "manhandle" any cat, it is all-time to not even consider getting a cat — or at least to proceed with caution. Additionally, a dog who growls, lunges at or obsessively barks at a true cat would probably exercise best in a cat-free surroundings. As well, a cat who growls, swats at, runs from or hides from dogs would probably adopt to not live with a canis familiaris.
• If a dog loves chasing things, then a fearful, shy cat who runs away probably wouldn't exist the best choice, as it could trigger the dog to chase. Similarly, an energetic true cat who runs and pounces would autumn into this same category. A amend friction match here would be a at-home, confident cat who will non run (in fear or play).
• If a dog plays roughly, it is all-time to avoid kittens or elderly cats who can hands be hurt. Instead, stick to playful adults who are interested in play, but are also confident plenty to take intendance of themselves. If a cat is rambunctious or playful, a dog that is playful, just gentle, could be a dandy option.
• If a dog or cat is elderly, laid dorsum, quiet or broken-hearted, then a calm counterpart would exist best. Avoid rambunctious companions who may annoy, frighten or otherwise carp the other pet.

The Introduction Process

Regardless of whether you lot are getting a new cat or a new dog, the first introduction betwixt your electric current pet and your new pet is a very of import function of the process. Here are four steps that can assistance yous ensure a successful meeting:

Pace 1: Cull the proper location for the showtime coming together

• Resident true cat to new dog: If y'all are adopting a canis familiaris, you should not take your cat to meet him at a shelter, or other establishment which houses a number of animals for wellness and prophylactic reasons. Instead, the introduction should take place at habitation.
• Resident dog to new cat: If you are adopting a cat, do not take your dog into a shelter and betrayal him to the cats, as this can exist highly stressful or traumatic for all of the cats. Also, it is not necessarily a skillful indicator of how the dog will react at home. Instead, enquire the shelter'southward adoption counselors whether they have any dog-savvy, confident cats they will allow to meet your dog under controlled conditions. If this is not possible, an alternative would be to have your dog meet a dog-savvy cat who belongs to a friend or relative. As a terminal resort, you can bring your new kitty home and exercise an introduction at home.

Stride 2: Carve up the animals

• Beyond a few days, rotate which animal has freedom and which is confined to allow each animate being plenty of time to investigate the other i'due south scent.
• Sometimes the dog should be confined to a crate or another room (or taken to another location if he can't be left solitary) to let the cat fourth dimension to roam free and investigate the scent of the domestic dog.
• If the dog obsessively digs at the separation barrier or barks at the cat for more than a day or two, the interaction likely won't piece of work without proper training. You may need the help of a professional person.
• When no one is home, the dog or cat must always exist securely confined so unsupervised interactions are not possible.
• Once the dog is calm (or at to the lowest degree non obsessed with the cat) and the cat is calm, eating and using the litter box normally, y'all tin go along to the next step.

Step 3: Make leashed introductions

• Allow both animals to exist in the aforementioned room at the same time, only keep the canis familiaris deeply leashed.
• Continue with this blazon of introduction until the canis familiaris is calm and ignores the cat, and the cat is calm, eating and using the litter box normally.
• If there is whatsoever fear or aggression displayed on either animal's part, stay at step two longer.
• Proceed indefinitely until both the canis familiaris and cat seem happy and relaxed around each other.
• When no i is home, the canis familiaris or true cat should be securely confined to separate areas and then unsupervised interactions are not possible.

Step 4: Allow unsupervised interactions

• Unsupervised time together can occur later the cat and dog have been supervised around each other for a significant period of time (a month or and so) and you are positive they will not hurt each other.

Training Tip:

If the dog stares at the true cat or the door separating the true cat, try to distract him and get him to await away with treats, a happy phonation or past gently guiding the dog away on a leash. In one case the dog is away from the true cat, try offering a treat. If he takes information technology, echo this process until he is no longer focused on the cat or door.

Warning Signs

• If the dog remains overly focused, does not take his eyes off the cat or the door, completely ignores you lot or lunges all of a sudden as before long equally the true cat moves, this is probably a unsafe match. If you are looking for a dog for your resident cat, try another dog. If this is your dog, you should probably non get him a cat.
• If at any time the dog lunges toward, growls, snaps at or shows whatsoever aggression toward a calm, tranquillity, still cat, this match will probably not work out. The same holds true if a cat attacks a calm, serenity domestic dog. If you are committed to make the relationship work, you will probably demand a professional person at this point.
• If yous are looking for a true cat for your domestic dog, and your dog displays questionable behavior effectually a cat who is growling, hissing and swatting, effort again with another, calmer true cat. If he continues to display questionable beliefs around multiple cats, information technology is probable he should not live with cats.
• If it is your cat who is growling, hissing or swatting, give the cat a break and try again on some other day. You might too need to try a different dog. A cat who continually hisses and growls at all types of dogs will likely not desire to live with dogs. Your true cat may tolerate a dog, but she probably won't be happy — which is an unfair situation for her.
• If the cat stops eating, drinking, using the litter box or visiting with family members, she is not happy. You lot might desire to consider finding a meliorate match or contacting a professional person animal behaviorist for advice.

brownclor1936.blogspot.com

Source: https://www.americanhumane.org/fact-sheet/introducing-dogs-to-cats/

Share this post