AQUAINTING A DOG AND CAT TO EACH OTHER

Question
MY BOYFRIEND IS MOVING HERE FROM NY WITH HIS ADULT CAT WHO HAS NOT BEEN AROUND PEOPLE OR OTHER ANIMALS SINCE BIRTH.
I HAVE A GREAT 1 YEAR OLD LAB. WHAT CAN WE DO TO INTRODUCE THESE TWO TO EACH OTHER AND BE ABLE TO LIVE ALTOGETHER IN PEACE AND HARMONY??
THANK YOU VERY MUCH,
MICHELE

Answer
Michelle,

Here is a method we suggest to introduce a cat to a home with existing pets:

Start out your new cat in one room with a litter pan and water dish. Ideally, the one room should be a bedroom with yourself or another human resident. This accomplishes a couple of things. Your new cat will not be overwhelmed by its new surroundings and get "lost", and thusly will have no problem finding the litter pan. You will feed the new cat in this room and keep the established cat out. It allows the new cat to bond with you or another human being and also build up some self assurance in its new surroundings since it will not have to compete for food or attention right away. Finally, it allows the new cat and the established pets to sniff each other under the door and get familiar with each others' scents.

After 5-7 days of being in its one room, it is time to let them meet each other. Be prepared for some posturing, some spitting and hissing, and the like. IGNORE IT! After a while, they should begin to come to terms with each other and still have the occasional hiss or spit as they get accustomed to each other. Cats tend to make a whole lot of noise and even loosen up some fur. Rarely will a cat truly try to hurt the dog.  On the other hand, the dog should be discouraged from chasing the cat, at first.  The dog may be playing, but the cat does not know that!

Once they are introduced, there are a couple of things you must remember. Do not separate them again, eventually, they will get along! Do not interfere in their "discussions" as they need to sort it out amongst themselves!

It does not hurt to give the dog treats and extra attention after the new cat is introduced (yes, dogs do get jealous!).

A couple of things you may have to do is to feed the cat somewhere the dog cannot get to (dog's love cat food). Dogs often look at cat poop as candy, so the litter pan should be someplace the cat can go, but the dog does not have access. Some dogs can bother the cats so much when they do their business, the cat will find another place to go (maybe not to your liking).

All, in all, this method seems to have had great success in the past and makes for a fairly smooth introduction. Please remember that they may make up immediately, or it may take a few weeks.


Best regards... Norm.