How To Introduce A Cat To A Dog For The First Time

By letting a loose cat and an off leash dog meet each other in an open room for the first time you are probably setting up both animals to fail.

How to introduce a cat to a dog for the first time. Keep the first few sessions short and calm. The american veterinary medical association reports that 44 of us pet owners have multiple pet home and most include both cats and dogs. Let dog and cat check each other out at a distance. If he shows any signs of excessive excitability calm him.

It s not time for dog to approach cat just yet. When you first bring the cat into the house it s best to have the dog either locked away or out of the home. Make sure she is engaged and keep her moving either with treats or a toy. It is possible to introduce a dog to a cat and blend your furry family members into a harmonious whole.

Begin by playing with only one cat in the room at first. How to successfully introduce a dog to a cat. This way the dog won t jump around the pet carrier and scare the cat as you bring it into the home for the first time. If your dog bolts toward your cat correct him with the leash.

Do not restrain either pet in your arms as injury could result if either pet behaves aggressively. Give your dog and cat some treats and praise as rewards. Ask the dog to sit and reward him with small tasty treats for calm behavior. Bring in the other cat.

Whether you already have a dog and are considering getting a cat or vice versa it is very important to think about their first introduction. Keep the first meeting quick. Imagine that there s a line separating the room into halves and use the leash if necessary to make sure the dog stays on one side of it. Pet and talk to your dog soothingly.

Start with one cat. If the cat chooses to get close to the dog though that s fine just like before play or train both the cat and the dog and make sure they can focus on you instead of the other pet. In a perfect world you would lead the cat into the space with whatever. When you are ready to introduce your cat to your dog make the initial meeting a quick one approximately ten minutes.

Keep the dog on a leash and let the cat come and go as he wishes. The biggest problem reported is owners that wish their animals got along better.