Cat meets Dog
Credit: Stock | ©Stock
Some say the world's population can be broken down into two types of people: cat lovers and dog lovers. Sometimes a cat lover and a dog lover fall in love with each other, like a Capulet and a Montague from Romeo & Juliet. That's okay. Cat lovers and dog lovers can live in harmony. And believe it or not, so can dogs and cats. But it's not always easy, especially making that first introduction. That first introduction can be tricky indeed, kind of like diffusing a bomb. Here are some helpful tips on how to introduce a dog to a cat.
1. Remember that a dog, especially a large dog, can easily harm a cat, even kill one. One quick shake and a cat's neck can break. So under no circumstances should you put the two in a room together alone before they are acquainted. And always keep in mind that this can happen even if the dog and cat are simply playing around.
2. Make certain your dog is obedient before the introduction is made. Using positive reinforcement, teach the dog essential commands such as "down," "sit," "come," and "stay." If your dog is already obedient, work on the commands a bit more to make sure he will obey you even with a distraction such as a new cat.
3. In the beginning, keep the cat confined to one room, leaving all her essentials in it, including litter box, water, and food. Feed your dog on the other side of the door to this room, so that the dog associates something pleasant with the smell of the cat. Do the same with your cat, placing her food closer to the door as they become more comfortable eating in each other's presence.
4. Have your dog and cat each sleep or roll around on their own blanket. Then switch them. This will help your dog and cat become accustomed to each other's scent without actually meeting yet.
5. Once you have done all that, it's time for their first controlled meeting. Your dog should be wearing his leash for this meeting. Someone else should be sitting next to your cat. Start on opposite sides of the room. See how they react to each other. Keep the visit short and repeat this step as necessary.
1. Remember that a dog, especially a large dog, can easily harm a cat, even kill one. One quick shake and a cat's neck can break. So under no circumstances should you put the two in a room together alone before they are acquainted. And always keep in mind that this can happen even if the dog and cat are simply playing around.
2. Make certain your dog is obedient before the introduction is made. Using positive reinforcement, teach the dog essential commands such as "down," "sit," "come," and "stay." If your dog is already obedient, work on the commands a bit more to make sure he will obey you even with a distraction such as a new cat.
3. In the beginning, keep the cat confined to one room, leaving all her essentials in it, including litter box, water, and food. Feed your dog on the other side of the door to this room, so that the dog associates something pleasant with the smell of the cat. Do the same with your cat, placing her food closer to the door as they become more comfortable eating in each other's presence.
4. Have your dog and cat each sleep or roll around on their own blanket. Then switch them. This will help your dog and cat become accustomed to each other's scent without actually meeting yet.
5. Once you have done all that, it's time for their first controlled meeting. Your dog should be wearing his leash for this meeting. Someone else should be sitting next to your cat. Start on opposite sides of the room. See how they react to each other. Keep the visit short and repeat this step as necessary.
- The Humane Society: www.hsus.org
Comments
yoyo
(Guest)
(Guest)
11/02/2009
ok so i have a dashund and she had puppied 3 week ago and i just a got a little kitty. I don't know if my dog is attacking him because she's territorial or because she really hates cats. I'll try this out but if it doesn't work then i;m going to have to give boo away.
Heather
(Guest)
(Guest)
06/04/2009
Ummmm, it's defusing, not "diffusing".
Melissa Hughes
(Guest)
(Guest)
06/02/2008
I have a cat who is ten years old, and I just adopted a dog last week. I almost took my dog back. The my cat tried to attack the dog, and knocked over a baby gate trying to get to the dog. I did what I was told by the Humane Society, and the cat still doesn't like the dog, but he is not trying to attack my dog any more. I still don't let the two of them alone in a room, but they can see each other thru the baby gate that i installed properly this time. I leave the door open to the dogs crate now, i know they can't harm each other while Sadie, the dog, is in there. Squeak, the cat pretty much just keeps his distance.
sophie
(Guest)
(Guest)
03/01/2008
i have got 2 cats and i have just bought a new dog, who used to go ratting with his old owners . but he really doesnt like cats !
has anybody got any advice please x thanks
Great article, but WHY would you want to do that? Sorry, I'm just not a cat person.
Hey, nice article. I have a new blog about pets, so I linked to your article there. I don't have too much traffic yet, but it's growing, so hopefully you will get some clicks.
http://fuzzypet.wordpress.com
Awand Frebo
(Guest)
(Guest)
09/25/2007
These are informative, adorable stories. I have a "wired" Schnauzer and would like to have a cat. I tried bringing a friends cat into the house, but Max my dog, put a stop to it. He screamed and howled at the cat to the point the cat got sick. I don't believe any of the suggestions listed above will work in my household. I enjoyed the reads and suggestions. Thank you for sharing.
Adorable picture. Growing up we always had a dog and a cat. When they are introduced as puppies and kittens it is quite easy. I have also seen hissing cats with claws terrify a dog.
great article..I have one of each..they love each other very much..in fact..my dog doesn't like other dogs..only his kitty cat..:)
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