Introducing Cats to Dogs

Take the dog for an extended walk. Use a choke collar and short leash, not a retractable lead. You have minimal control with a retractable lead, and you do not have your dog's attention when using this.

Bring his favorite toy and find a safe place where he can run and play fetch. You want him tired but relaxed.

Return home and put him in one of your largest rooms. Put him in one end of the room, farthest from the door, on a down- and- stay command.

Keep your hand on the leash so you have control of him.

Have a second person bring the cat into the room, and set the cat down in the opposite end of the room. Make sure the dog stays calm.

The cat will react in various ways upon seeing the dog. The cat can spit, hiss and run out of the room, or dive for cover. She could attack. If she runs at the dog, bring the dog into a sit position quickly. This should stop her attack.

She may just walk carefully over to the dog to check him out. As long as you have that lead attached to that collar and the dog's respect you have control.

Keep your emotions down for both animals will feed on your emotions.

Only allow them a five-to ten minute first exposure initially.

Herd your cat out of the room as she will be scared. Don't pick her up. Herd her into her safe room turn the lights down, turn on some classical music low (to help soothe her). Shut the door and leave her be. Don't mess with her, or you could get bit. It is helpful to have feliway spray available, you can spray the room to help the cat stay calm.

Try the same routine the next day. Keep doing this procedure adding to the time element, for as long as it takes until the animals do not react to each other.

Have patience, for it is a slow process. They have to come to understand that, they are not a danger to each other.

Once you see that neither animal reacts, take the lead off the dog. Be sure to observe them carefully. Some dogs will chase the cat when it turns around and runs. This is a normal reaction on the dog's part.

Make sure your dog does not gain access to the cat's litter boxes. Cats are gulpers by nature, so they rarely chew all their food. What they leave in their pans smells like pure protein to a dog. He is going after the scent of the *food* he smells. The cat is just in the way.

One of the quickest ways to destroy the trust these two animals will build up with each other, is to allow the dog to ambush the cat in the litter pan. A Booda domed litter pan works, only if you have a dog of a larger breed, but a small puppy can easily find his way through the opening and leave his scent inside leaving open the possibility of litter box accidents.

If you have a small puppy, the safest first introduction is done best while the cat/kitten is in a large cage. You don't want to use a cat carrier, or a dog crate, it should be a large wire cage.

Place the cat/kitten inside the cage, and bring the puppy (on a lead) into the room. Again, be sure the puppy has gone through basic obedience. Let them see each other; don't allow the puppy to get to close. Keep your voice level and firm and put the puppy on a down and stay command near the cage. Let him lie there for five minutes, then lead him out of the room and feed him a tasty treat. Go back and release the cat/kitten out of the cage.