Despite what you see on television for humor, most dogs and cats actually get along pretty well. Those dogs who have lived with cats their entire lives are especially likely to get along extremely well with cats. Dogs who have never lived with a cat or been around a cat; however, are likely to attempt to play or “bat” the cat in an effort to get him to play. Of course, as we know, cats often do not enjoy playing with dogs and can become upset quickly. Cats who have never lived with dogs are also likely to become upset when introducing a new dog to a cat.
Close supervision with the new dog and your cat is extremely important; your new dog could easily injure your cat. There are several suggestions available to make the transition smoother:
The First Day of Introducing a New Dog to Your Cat
Introducing a new dog to your cat can be complicated in the beginning. In order to ensure a successful introduction, you need to prepare for the introduction of the new dog. Although first impressions aren’t extremely important to a dog; they are extremely important to a cat. The first day of introduction should be as stress-free as possible for your cat.
Direct supervision the first day is crucial. The new dog could easily harm your cat. To ensure your cat is not harmed during the introduction, you should introduce them a day you will be home all day or at least able to take the dog with you if you leave.
Watch Body Language
Keeping an eye on the dog and cat’s body language is extremely important. The body language of both the dog and the cat will tell you how each of them are feeling. If your dog is continuously staring at the cat and is completely still, you should distract him somehow and take him away from the cat for several hours. Once your dog is away from the cat, you can give your cat a treat to minimize her stress.
If you have any questions or are unsure of how to go about introducing a new dog to your cat, you should contact your dog behaviorist for assistance. Learn more about introducing a kitten to your dog.
Amber Johnson, Animal Behaviorist
Miss Amber Johnson has many years of experience with pets and is a licensed cat and dog nutrition and behavior specialist. She currently collaborates with PetPremium where she counsels clients in pet behavior and nutrition. The statements made in this article are the personal opinions of Miss Amber Johnson and based on independent experiences and could be different from the opinions of PetPremium Pet health Insurance or any other pet health insurance provider.