So you’ve fallen in love with a cat – don’t worry, we’ve all been there. But Benji, your beloved poodle is already the king of your house. Benji is used to being an only dog and now you’re not only bringing home another pet, but a cat! His mortal enemy!
The biggest thing you need to know about introducing your pet to another fur member, it can be a heart-warming moment but also a little intense. Just like with people, pets have their own personalities. But there are a few things you can do to make this as positive an experience as possible. Maybe they won’t be best friends, but maybe they can happily coexist.
First thing
You need to be patient and you need to go slow. This is a gradual process and it’s going to take a while so buckle up.
Safe space
You need to set up a safe space for your cat that is dog free. It needs to be a room or a space that the dog cannot access and going forward this will be your cat’s sanctuary. You can place the litter box here, and other basic live necessities like water and food and a bed and blanket for your cat.
You are going to keep your cat and dog separate for the first 3 to 4 days. You just want to get your new member some time to get acquainted with her new home – dogs and cats have great smell and hearing, she knows there’s a dog right next door even if she can’t see him.
Explore each other’s area
Once your cat is feeling a little more secure in their new home, you can start with a slow introduction. Allow them to explore each other’s areas – without the other pet there. So, while your dog is out for a walk, let your new member explore the rest of the house – and put the cat in another safe space (maybe a bathroom), while the dog gets to explore the cat’s space. Do this for the next 3-4 days.
Let them see each other
Do this when both pets are calm and happy. Using a covered barrier such as a baby gate with a towel or blanket thrown over. Keep these short and spirits up with an interactive toy or feeding puzzle. Keep an eye on their body language for signs of anxiety or fear – you want to stop the sessions while they’re still calm. As they get used to each other you can have the space between them shortened and decrease rewards and toys as they get used to each other.
Introductions
If all seems to be going well, you can move to the next step… introductions! Pick a neutral spot – not the cat’s safe spot or where the dog gets fed. During this introduction, don’t confine the cat – she needs to be able to retreat should she feel threatened. You can use a harness connected to a lead for your dog. Get some treats – you want to be able to reward your dog for good behaviour like if they’re calm when the cat comes over. Monitor them closely, distract with toys and puzzle feeders and keep the visits short. As time goes on, you’ll increase the time of these introductions. If your dog is calm, you can let go of the lead to let it trail before eventually removing it completely.
Some introductions take days; others take weeks. Be patient with your animals and enjoy the process!
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