Introducing a New Dog to a Resident Cat
(Part 3 of 3)
* Understand differences in social order. To cats,
physical place is all important. To dogs, social
place is all important. As long as the dog accepts
the cat's dominance over territory, they typically
work out a relationship.
* As with introducing pets, think positively. Act
with authority and confidence. What you feel and
think translates to your actions, and your animals
sense your emotions.
* Dogs and cats do not communicate the same way and
have trouble understanding one another. For example,
a dog will lift his paw gesturing that he wants to
play, but a raised paw to a cat is a threat.
* A good-natured, well-trained resident dog often
accepts a young cat as a member of the family rather
easily. In contrast, introducing an adult cat to a
puppy can be hard on the cat. Puppies are
rambunctious and full of energy.
* Keep the dog on leash during introductions. Use a
halter for very young dogs. Try to keep the leash
loose.
* Take dogs to puppy obedience and regular obedience
school and teach desired behavior using positive
reinforcement. Your dog needs to always remember you
are the leader.
* Confining a puppy or dog is necessary at times. It
gives the cat time to roam about the house, surveying
his territory. If you keep the dog separated with a
gate or in an exercise pen, your cat can safely
investigate the newcomer.
* When you leave the house, separate the animals in
physically, securely separated areas. Give each
access to water, a bed or other suitable resting
place, and some toys. Be sure the cat has access to a
litter box. Make sure everyone in your family and any
caretakers understand the need to separate the
animals.
* For the cat's safety, make sure the cat has escape
routes to get away from the dog. For example, a cat
door leading to another room in the house and ledges
on which he can easily jump. Always provide places
where each animal can retreat for safety and privacy,
a spot that is his or hers alone. A cat can use the
top of the refrigerator; a dog can use a crate.
* Use a baby gate so they can get to know each other
without coming into full contact. Or confine the new
pet to a room and allow the animals to sniff each
other under the door. A tip from PAW volunteer Lynne
Keffer: put up a baby gate at the top of a stairway
or in a doorway. (Stack gates one atop another if the
dog's a jumper.) Cut a small hole in the gate, just
big enough for the cat to fit through. Things
typically improve once the cat learns he has an escape
hatch.
* Other escape hatches include floor-to-ceiling
climbers and installing extra-long hooks and eyes in
doors to prop a door open just wide enough for a cat.
* Teach the dog the "leave it" command, and use this
command when you want the dog to leave the cat alone.
Also teach the dog the "down" and "stay" commands so
that you can place her in a down-stay in the presence
of the cat.
* Praise the dog when she doesn't bark or want to
chase resident cats, advises PAW volunteer Ginnie
Maurer. Praise and reward the dog for any calm
behavior around the cat. Do this consistently, not
just once in awhile.
* Praise a cat when he's gentle around the dog. Keep
the cat claws clipped short so if they do connect with
the dog, the damage will be minimized.
* Observe your pets so that you can catch them in the
act of being good. Give them ample opportunities to
earn praise so that they learn what is acceptable
behavior. Reinforcing good behavior is the key to
encouraging animals to repeat that behavior instead of
engaging in undesired behavior.
* Food can be a powerful motivator. You can use food
treats to reward a dog for choosing to look at and
listen to you in the presence of the cat, instead of
chasing the cat.
* Keep dog toys nearby. Direct the dog to a toy and
away from the cat when the dog gets rambunctious.
Make sure cats have access to their own toys too, so
they're less likely to target a dog's tail as a
plaything.
* Make sure to give the dog plenty of exercise so
that he has less energy to channel into chasing and
otherwise bothering the dog.
* Let animals sniff each other -- that's how they get
acquainted.
* Avoid overreacting to hissing, barking or growling.
These are common ways for animals to communicate.
However, be ready to intervene if hostility mounts.
* Do not expect the pets to become buddies right
away. Let the animals establish the relationship at
their own pace. Realize that some dogs and cats will
not become buddies.
* A puppy's innocent behavior can trigger a serious
scratching from a wary cat, so as always, it's
important to keep watch.
* Prevent the dog from having access to the kitty
litter box. Keep the box in a room that's physically
off-limits to the dog. Dogs like to eat cat
droppings, which are very unhealthy for them.
* To keep a dog from chasing or stalking cats when
you are home but otherwise occupied, use a crate or
tether the dog to a heavy piece of furniture, suggests
Ginnie. Or use a long leash that's tied at your
waist.
* Keep in mind that predatory behavior comes
naturally to both dogs and cats. They like to chasing
moving objects, including other animals.
* If you have more than one dog, do not let them gang
up on a cat.
* Be sure to pay attention to the resident pets.
Take care not to give all your attention to the
newcomer.
* During mealtimes, each animal needs to feel safe
and relaxed while eating. An animal who feels the
need to defend his food is under much stress (this
will also affect digestion). At least initially, feed
in separate areas and give the animals their own food
bowls. It helps to give the cat an elevated place to
eat that cannot be reached by the dog. The height
gives the cat a sense of security.
* Introduce new pets when things are going well at
home. Do not bring a new pet home during a stressful
time in the household.
For more Dog Tips about pet
care, adoption and the work PAW does, visit our
website at:
Partnership for Animal Welfare, Inc.
The following includes information adapted from
"Creating a Peaceable Kingdom: How to Live with More
Than One Pet" by Cynthia D. Miller and from various
PAW volunteers.
www.paw-rescue.org
P.O. Box 1074, Greenbelt, MD 20768