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Cat-and-Dog-Introductions-Handout

The document provides guidelines for safely introducing cats and kittens to dogs, emphasizing the importance of supervision and gradual exposure. It highlights the need to observe the body language of both animals to ensure a harmonious introduction and offers steps for the process, including using barriers and monitoring stress levels. Additionally, it suggests calming products for anxious cats and advises seeking professional help if challenges arise during the introduction.

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8 views3 pages

Cat-and-Dog-Introductions-Handout

The document provides guidelines for safely introducing cats and kittens to dogs, emphasizing the importance of supervision and gradual exposure. It highlights the need to observe the body language of both animals to ensure a harmonious introduction and offers steps for the process, including using barriers and monitoring stress levels. Additionally, it suggests calming products for anxious cats and advises seeking professional help if challenges arise during the introduction.

Uploaded by

animalcrafty
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Successfully Introducing Cats and Kittens to Dogs

Many dogs and cats can live


harmoniously together if
introduced properly and
supervised appropriately.
Whether you are adding a new
cat or a new dog to your
household, the top priority is
always safety. A cat might be
able to live safely and happily
with some dogs, but not others,
so even if your cat has lived with
dogs before, use caution and
proceed slowly when introducing
your cat to a new dog.
When introducing your cat to a
dog, it is best to introduce her to only one dog at a time. It is also important to have at least two people
present, one to handle the dog’s leash and the other to tend to the cat. In the initial introduction, make
sure that the two animals first clearly see and become aware of the presence of each other. If one of the
animals has not seen the other before the other gets too near, fear and panic may result. Even if the two
animals appear to be exhibiting playful behavior, slow down any approaches until it is clear that
neither pet is anxious or frightened.

Observing canine and feline body language


The first thing you want to do is pay attention to the body language of both animals. Ideally, the body
language of both pets will be loose and relaxed. Watch how they look at each other. As you watch the
dog, notice whether he can look at the cat and then look away. If he cannot, this may indicate that he is
too excited or aroused. Observe the dog’s head and face; if the dog appears excessively focused on
the cat, try calling him or snapping your fingers. If you can distract him relatively easily, his behavior
suggests he does not have an unhealthy degree of interest in the cat.
If your dog has a strong prey drive, he might become very focused on the cat. (A prey drive is the
inclination to seek out, chase and potentially capture animals seen as prey — usually smaller animals
such as cats or rabbits.) He will stiffen, stare, glare, and may start barking or whining. If you see these
signs, do not let the cat and dog get close to one another (yet). It is OK if the dog pays attention to the
cat, but you do not want to see him fixated on her.
How the cat looks at the dog is equally important but pay attention to the other forms of feline body
language, too. Once the cat has seen the dog, observe whether the cat seems relaxed. A relaxed cat
will move about calmly and confidently, will not glare at the new dog, and will not try to flee from the
dog. If the cat is growling, hissing, or attempting to scratch, it means she is currently uncomfortable.
That does not necessarily mean that she won’t accept the dog; it might just take a little more time.
Keep in mind that a new interaction or relationship may not succeed in the first few minutes or even the
first few days. During the introductory period, you want to always supervise and be ready to separate
the animals if any conflicts arise.
In addition, keep in mind that a cat’s interaction with a dog can change depending on the environment.
For example, your cat might be fine with the dog when they are inside the house, but outside in the
yard, the cat may feel more exposed and therefore show more fear. The dog might fixate on the cat
and start chasing her when they are outside together. So, be aware of their body language around
each other in each new situation, until you know how they respond to each other.

Ways to introduce a cat to a dog


You can introduce a cat to a dog in several different ways. Even if the cat has had experience with dogs
and the dog has lived with a cat before, always proceed with caution. As mentioned above, it’s best to
have a “handler” for each pet. And again, if you have more than one dog, introduce each dog
separately to the cat.

Here are some basic steps for introducing a cat and a dog:
Before starting the introduction, let your new family member settle in by confining him or her to an
enclosed area of the house for a few days.
Start exposure through a single, closed, solid door. The dog and cat won’t be able to see each other,
but they will be able to hear and smell each other. Start with very short exposure (less than a minute)
and gradually prolong the duration of the sessions.
Next, let them see each other at a distance, through a barrier like a strong gate or a screen door. A
double barrier is recommended at first. Don’t use glass doors, since some dogs get anxious when they
can see but can’t smell or hear the other animal. If the dog is large or especially enthusiastic, have him
leashed as an extra precaution. Working at a distance helps both animals get used to each other at
their own pace. Again, start with short sessions of letting them see each other, and gradually lengthen
the sessions.
Watch the body language of both pets to get clues about how they are feeling. If you notice any signs
of stress, stop and allow them to calm down. Then try again later with shorter sessions and more
distance between them.
If there are no signs of stress, work on training the dog to give you eye contact and calm behavior
whenever the cat is visible.
When the cat and dog no longer respond to each other when they see each other from behind the
barrier, start doing sessions with no barrier, but with the dog securely on leash (and muzzled for extra
safety, if you wish, and if your dog has been trained to wear a muzzle).
For more detailed information on several different options for introducing cats and dogs, see “How to
Introduce a Dog to a Cat.”

Calming products for cats


These products can help calm cats who are fearful, anxious or very excitable:
NurtureCALM 24/7 feline calming collar
Feliway pheromone diffuser or spray
Nutritional supplements (including Nutri-Calm, Zylkene and Solliquin), to be used as advised by your
veterinarian
ThunderShirt or Ace bandage wraps
Kitten and puppy introductions
Kitten and puppy introductions require special consideration and caution. Kittens may not be scared of
adult dogs or puppies at first. Nevertheless, kittens are small and fragile and can be easily hurt,
especially if an adult dog has a strong prey drive. Supervise their interactions whenever they are
together to ensure that everyone stays safe.
Some well-socialized adult cats tolerate puppies well. However, if your puppy is super high-energy
and wants to chase your cat, you will need to intervene to prevent the puppy from making a habit out of
chasing the cat. Consider keeping the puppy on a leash to manage his or her behavior and read this
resource for more tips and advice.

Seeking professional help with dog-cat introductions


Dogs and cats who are well-socialized often adjust quickly to a new animal in the family. However, if
either animal is struggling with the change in your household, you may want to enlist the help of an
experienced relationship-based dog trainer or behavior consultant. One of the most important things
to remember is to never punish either animal because it will not solve the problem and could make the
situation worse.

“Successfully Introducing Cats and Kittens to Dogs.” Best Friends Animal Society,
resources.bestfriends.org/article/successfully-introducing-cats-and-kittens-dogs.

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