Thinking About Adopting a Cat? Here’s How to Safely Introduce Your New Kitty to Your Dog
International Cat Day, celebrated on August 8, is right around the corner! This means you’re about to be inundated by seriously adorable pictures of feline friends. And if you're like me, you’ll start daydreaming about a life with a kitty by your side.
But before you start looking at all the adorable cats available to adopt at your local rescue, you do have to think about how adding a kitty would change your family’s lifestyle. This is especially true if you already own a dog.
While dogs and cats can totally defy the stereotype that they are sworn enemies, sometimes they simply don’t get along, which can lead to stressful and frankly, dangerous situations in your household. One of the ways you can better a dog and cat’s bond is to make sure their initial meeting doesn’t go awry, which is easier said than done.
To ensure that everything goes as smoothly as possible, here are a few tips and tricks.
Have Face-to-Face Meetings While Your Dog Is Leashed
According to the Animal Humane Society, your dog should be leashed during the first meetings to avoid any potentially dangerous altercations. Your cat, however, should not be restrained and should be able to freely roam. Continually feed both pets treats throughout each session, so they can learn that being in each other’s company is a positive experience.
Until your pets are completely calm and comfortable being with each other, it’s best for the interactions to be about 5 minutes or less.
Keep An Eye On Body Language
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The non-profit, Best Friends Animal Society, recomends to keep an eye on both your dog and cat's body language during their first interactions. For instance, your cat may be showing signs of distress if his ears are back or if he swishes his tail.
With your dog, you’ll want to proceed with caution if her body is not relaxed. If you notice any stiffness while she is standing near the cat, it may be indicative that she views your feline friend as prey.
Keep Them Separated For The First Few Days
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For at least a few days, do your best to have your pets be in separate areas. You’ll want to have your cat stay in a room that is not accessible to your dog. These areas should have all her necessities, like a bed, a litter box, and, of course, bowls of food and water.
You can occasionally allow the animals to interact with each other under your supervision. After repeated successful interactions, you can start being more lenient with your pets being together in the shared space.