PRIVATE DOG &
PUPPY TRAINING
Teach Your Dog Desired Behaviors &
Address Unwanted Ones
Address Unwanted Ones
Introducing A Dog To A Cat
If you’re reading this, you’re most likely a cat and dog lover like me, and your house just isn’t a home without both. That said, the saying, “fighting likes cats and dogs” is rooted in truth. So, if you have or are thinking about having both of these wonderful animals under one roof safely, it’s important to take your time to create a safe, and hopefully peaceful, environment for all with the long-term goal of indifferent co-existence, or perhaps even friendship.
There are a number of dynamics that will influence introducing a dog to a cat (and a cat to a dog):
- Is it a resident cat being introduced to a new dog or a resident dog being introduced to a new cat?
- How old is the dog? A puppy, juvenile, adult, senior?
- How old is the cat? A kitten, young adult, mature adult, senior?
- Is the cat shy and fearful around new things or are they brave and outgoing?
- Is the dog shy and fearful around new things or are they brave and outgoing?
- Does the dog have a prey drive?
- Has the cat ever met a dog?
- Has the dog ever met a cat?
Introducing A Dog To A Cat: A Bit About My Cat And (New) Dog
Warning: Apparently my husband and I have a thing for black cats and tan dogs with black snouts. My phone can’t tell them apart. See if you can 🙂
My (most recent) dog and cat integration story begins with our resident 8-year-old cat, Bagheera. I believe he’s a Chantilly Tiffany, and catbreedlist.com gives these beauties 5 out of 5 stars for being dog friendly. This proved to be true with Bagheera from the start.
Bagheera was originally fostered by a friend of mine who had a dog. When we first met him, they were romping around the kitchen together.
Our previous dog, Berlin, wasn’t into playing that much, but she also didn’t mind/react to Bagheera running around all crazy. Sometimes his mischief was geared toward her, like when he’d hide in corners and pounce on her as she passed. She’d just keep walking, looking at me like, “What the heck, Mom.” I didn’t see him hiding either, baby girl 🙁
Then at night, he’d try to turn on the charm and cuddle with her on the couch. As he’d tiptoe closer to her tushy, she’s side-eye him, and just as he’d settle down and nuzzle his cheek in her tail, she’d get up and walk over to her bed.
When our sweet Berlin passed in the fall of 2022, we knew Bagheera would want another friend (when we were ready), perhaps even one that would play and cuddle with him.
In truth (hindsight?), we could have made it easier on ourselves…and Bagheera, and adopted a dog who was fostered with a cat already, but…we didn’t*. We lucked out and Berlin had been great with our previous cat, Zorro, from the start. Maybe we’d luck out again.
Nope.
That’s not to say I didn’t do what I could to “test” our new dog, Neah (NEE-uh), out in regards to cats before bringing her home. When I first meet Berlin at a different city shelter 12 years ago, we walked her by the lobby’s cat and kitten kennels. She was indifferent (and the kitties didn’t mind either). This reaction held true at home too. At Neah’s shelter, there were no accessible cat kennels (bringing a dog into a lobby where dogs are constantly coming in and out to see how that particular dog reacts to the cats there is one thing, but bringing a dog into a quiet cat room is another).
Neah was listed as a 2-year-old Shepard/Shiba mix and came in as an owner surrender 3 months prior. Beyond a few notes the previous owners left, we knew nothing other than that she was on medication for anxiety and kenneled with a dog that had been brought in as a stray (so dog-friendly?). I brought a cat stuffed animal to see how she “reacted”. She strolled over, sniffed it, and moved on. Ok, but I took that with a grain of salt. It wasn’t a rascally dog-loving, Bagheera after all. Again, at this shelter, there weren’t cats kenneled in the lobby.
So, after visiting her a few times, we adopted Neah, and when we got her home, and after she recovered from her spay, we now joke that she pulled a bait and switch, and not just with her feelings towards cats (see my other blogs about addressing her dog reactivity).
*Don’t get me wrong. I love Neah! She was not the easy path though and many, too many, wouldn’t or couldn’t put in the time, patience, and energy that’s needed when introducing a dog and a cat. If you know this, that’s ok. Reach out to a rescue and inquire about any dogs that might be currently fostered with a cat. This *may* give you a better starting point. Just remember, every dog and cat are different and integration should still be slow/at each pet’s pace.
Introducing A Dog To A Cat: Backtracking
As Neah’s medicine wore off over the first few days (and her pain increased?…it was not the best-looking incision and required us to get her a topical medication), it became apparent we had to backtrack our dog and cat introduction plans.
Neah was becoming increasingly alert to Bagheera, even without him in the room. Our three-story townhome didn’t help. Bagheera would be safely secured in his room (which he thankfully LOVES), and Neah wouldn’t relax if she heard him meowing, playing, or jumping around from the room next door or floor below.
I don’t just mean, “I heard something and it woke me up.” I mean, pupils dilated, brow furrowed, ears alert, body stiff. Nothing could take her focus off of him (or what she heard of him) and if given the chance she would dart toward the door or baby gate. Good thing she was always on a leash with us holding onto it from day one!
Despite the first few days of naps near each other, it was time to backtrack….and for a shopping trip. More on that in Introducing A Dog To A Cat — Part Two.
As Neah’s medicine wore off over the first few days (and her pain increased?…it was not the best-looking incision and required us to get her a topical medication), it became apparent we had to backtrack our dog and cat introduction plans.
Neah was becoming increasingly alert to Bagheera, even without him in the room. Our three-story townhome didn’t help. Bagheera would be safely secured in his room (which he thankfully LOVES), and Neah wouldn’t relax if she heard him meowing, playing, or jumping around from the room next door or floor below.
I don’t just mean, “I heard something and it woke me up.” I mean, pupils dilated, brow furrowed, ears alert, body stiff. Nothing could take her focus off of him (or what she heard of him) and if given the chance she would dart toward the door or baby gate. Good thing she was always on a leash with us holding onto it from day one!
Despite the first few days of naps near each other, it was time to backtrack….and for a shopping trip. More on that in Introducing A Dog To A Cat — Part Two.
Now, when I advise people on how to introduce two dogs to each other, the first suggestion is to have them go for a walk together (with their people) in neutral territory. This isn’t always possible when introducing a dog to a cat, unless you’ve socialized the cat to be outside and on leash. Bagheera is not, and although their introduction had technically already occurred, we filed that away and began what should have been the next step: living together…separately.
Looking back, I have to give myself a little grace. Since Neah had to be spayed before leaving the shelter, she was post-surgery and heavily sedated the first time she came home, so she just didn’t care about Bagheera*. Berlin had been the same way with Zorro, and when the meds wore off she remained just as calm and indifferent, so when we saw this same behavior from Neah with Bagheera in the room, we thought/hoped, “We won the lottery twice!”
*This might not be true for all dogs as they could become protective and reactive because of their pain. Always use caution and have management tools (baby gates, hands-free leash, etc) in place.
Stayed tuned for Introducing A Dog To A Cat — Part Two
Need Help Introducing A Dog To A Cat?
I’d love to help. Reach out to schedule your complimentary phone consultation so I can learn a bit more about you, your dog (and cat), and your training goals.
Looking for private and group training opportunities?
Private Training
PRIVATE DOG &
PRIVATE CANINE
FITNESS TRAINING
Help Your Dog Lose Weight,
Gain Strength, Burn Energy & More
Gain Strength, Burn Energy & More
PRIVATE CANINE & HUMAN
FITNESS TRAINING
Get & Stay Fit With
The Best Workout Buddy Ever!
The Best Workout Buddy Ever!
PRIVATE HUMAN
FITNESS TRAINING
Reach Your Fitness Goals With
Convenient, Customized Sessions
Convenient, Customized Sessions
Group Training
DOG TRAINING
& PUPPY CLASSES
Guide Your Dog Through
The Basics & Beyond
The Basics & Beyond
PACK WALKS IN &
AROUND EUGENE
Get out & social with your dog.
All breeds & dog-lovers welcome.
All breeds & dog-lovers welcome.
WORKOUT WITH YOUR DOG CLASSES
Canine & Human Fitness
Together In One Class!
Together In One Class!
CANINE ONLY
FITNESS CLASSES
Focus On Your Dog’s Health—
This Class Is Going To The Dogs!
This Class Is Going To The Dogs!
Start My Free 21 Day Training Crash Course
Over the next three weeks, you’ll get helpful dog training tips and tutorials, fun canine and human fitness training exercises, and a collection of other healthy living guides right to your inbox.
You’ll also receive additional dog and fitness training pointers, cute and inspirational stories, and my class and pack walk schedule through my regular Fun Feet Pawblication©.
