Final Up to date on: April 24, 2023 by Crystal Uys
Introducing a brand new pet to your present one could be a tense expertise, however a whole lot of that stress might be addressed by being ready, calm, and affected person. Whereas some cats and canines don’t like one another, they’ll get alongside.
Nevertheless, most pets take time to develop accustomed to one another. Introductions and first impressions are essential, and if an introduction goes improper, it may arrange a nasty relationship that’s troublesome to restore. So, let’s take a look at the perfect methods to introduce a cat to a canine.
Earlier than You Begin
Earlier than bringing a brand new pet into your own home, analysis the breed you’re contemplating. Some canines have notably excessive prey drives, akin to Terriers, Greyhounds, and Collies, which suggests they could discover it more durable to get together with a cat.
Contemplating how your established pet will address this transformation is essential as a result of bringing in a brand new member of the family might be extremely tense. Begin by asking your veterinarian in the event that they suppose it will be a good suggestion since they know your pet effectively and may also provide you with some recommendation about introducing them to a brand new canine or cat.
Our 8 Favourite Tricks to Introduce Cats and Canines:
1. Put together Their Rooms
Preparation is vital, and also you’ll need to put together two separate rooms the place your cat and canine will keep separate. These rooms needs to be snug and protected. Every room ought to have the whole lot your pets want, together with their meals, water bowls, and cat litter.
Additionally, you will want to make sure nothing may cause hurt them, like a poisonous houseplant. It’s additionally a good suggestion to pet-proof the remainder of your home, so it’s prepared when the cat and canine will meet. You will have to arrange alternatives on your cat to flee to an elevated place, like a cat tree, to allow them to retreat rapidly and simply if they should escape the canine.
2. Be Affected person
This course of might be lengthy, and generally an introduction journey isn’t linear—you may need to repeat a step relying on how your pets react. Taking the whole lot at their tempo is essential, which might generally be irritating. However keep in mind, you’re constructing a basis for his or her future relationship.
Introducing a brand new pet with no coaching might be extra time-consuming than introducing a brand new cat to an older canine. In case you have simply adopted a canine, you should definitely take a while to coach them, as instructions like “go away it” and “keep” will probably be extremely useful.
3. Hold Them Separate
Step one is to maintain your pets separate from each other in several rooms. This may appear unusual because you need to introduce them, however taking this course of slowly is crucial. Your purpose at first is to get the newcomer snug with their new setting and familiarize it with the opposite’s scent.
It is best to maintain them separated for round 3 to 4 days. You possibly can permit them to discover different rooms, however ensure they’re alone once they achieve this.
4. Take Benefit of Their Love of Meals
When your new pet has had the possibility to change into accustomed to its new house, you’ll use its love of meals to get one step nearer to introducing it to the opposite animal. Earlier than your pets meet nose to nose, you possibly can permit them to satisfy by way of a door by consuming dinner on both facet.
They’ll odor and listen to each other and affiliate the constructive feelings they really feel once they eat with the opposite pet. Moreover, neither pet will really feel threatened by the opposite’s presence.
5. First Conferences
The primary time your cat and canine meet needs to be in a managed setting; you possibly can separate them swiftly if there’s a problem. first introduction is to permit them to see one another by way of a crack within the door. It’s finest to do that at mealtime since they are going to be close to the door, and if something goes awry, at the very least the meal will finish the interplay on a constructive word.
The following step is getting them into the room collectively. On a leash, stroll the canine towards the cat. That method, you could have management over the canine and may take away them from the room if wanted, and the cat can escape if they’re uncomfortable. Introducing them like this could take a number of makes an attempt, and it’s important that you’re calm and affected person with each pets by way of the method.
6. Hold Periods Brief
5 minutes is lengthy sufficient for every interplay because you don’t need to stress both of your pets out. Repeat these meet-and-greet periods every day so your pets are familiarized with one another and progress is maintained.
As soon as a day is mostly sufficient, as too many could be tense for everybody concerned! Think about giving treats to your canine to reward them for good conduct across the cat. This may also imply they affiliate the cat’s presence with one thing constructive. Likewise, reward your cat for behaving across the canine.
7. Permit Some Freedom
As soon as your canine isn’t attempting to get to the cat, or at the very least is leaving them alone more often than not, you possibly can try to drop the leash and permit the canine to roam freely within the room together with your cat. It’s a good suggestion to maintain the leash on so you possibly can seize it in case your canine makes a beeline for the cat. If both pet appears burdened, return to utilizing the leash.
8. Repeat as Essential
It’s essential to recollect that you could repeat any of those steps. Animals might be unpredictable, and it’s finest to watch them each time they’re collectively. Being cautious will maintain everybody protected.
Steadily Requested Questions
What if Each Pets Are Younger?
Kittens are a lot smaller than most puppies, they usually’re at a better danger of being by chance injured or killed by a boisterous pet or a predatory canine. You will have to maintain a kitten separate till they’re older, or at the very least maintain your canine on the stage the place you could have them on a leash to satisfy the kitten.
In case you have an older, well-socialized cat, it’d know sufficient to maintain a pet instead. But when your older cat is shy, it may not have the arrogance to work together with a pet.
I’ve Had Cats Round My Canine Earlier than, so Ought to This Be Simpler?
Simply because your canine has been round cats and tolerated or favored them doesn’t imply a brand new cat will probably be accepted. So, even in case you’ve had cats, don’t rush the introduction.
It’s finest to begin from the start and take it gradual.
When to Search Assist
When you’re not assured about introducing your pets to at least one one other or really feel prefer it isn’t going effectively, search recommendation from knowledgeable. An animal behaviorist could have the talents, {qualifications}, and expertise to assist. The earlier you search this assist, the higher, for the reason that longer behavioral issues proceed, the tougher they’re to resolve.
Closing Ideas
Introducing a cat to a canine might be time-consuming, and progress can really feel gradual. Typically, bitter relationships between pets are shaped as a result of introductions are rushed. The important thing to making a wholesome bond goes on the slowest tempo attainable, so if one pet appears tremendous and one other is burdened, separate the animals.
Repeating the steps is ok and doesn’t point out that your plan isn’t working, however in case you want steerage, contact your veterinarian or a behavioralist.
Featured Picture Credit score: StunningArt, Shutterstock
Concerning the creator
Cat mother to Ivy – a feisty little rescue kitten that’s her one and solely baby. For now! All through her life, she has been launched to the particular love that may be discovered within the bond with a cat. Having owned a number of felines, she is greater than sure that their love is unmatched, unconditional and in contrast to some other. With a ardour to teach the general public about the whole lot, there may be to learn about felines, their conduct, and their distinctive personalities, Crystal is devoted to creating certain that every one cats and their homeowners know the significance of acutely aware residing – and loving!
