Introducing Dogs to Cats

Introducing Your New Dog to Your Cats and Other Small Animals

Hopefully you have chosen your new dog carefully if you have cats or other small creatures.  It is hard to generalize about what situations will work and which ones will not, because individual animals and situations are all different.  Again, some breeds are known to be less inclined to get along with other species:  huskies and certain terriers come to mind.  But there are huge variations in behavior even within breeds.  Dogs with high prey-drive (active dogs that like to chase, hunt, bite, kill, or dissect things) are less likely candidates for a multi-species home.  An older, very calm dog that shows little interest in hunting or stalking prey would be a likelier one.  The dog’s current owner or foster-home may be able to guide you in the right direction.  I would certainly never trust any dog with a small animal such as a rabbit unsupervised.  The House Rabbit Society website, listed in the back of this book, has some information on introducing dogs and rabbits.

Ideally, a cat will have all its claws to be able to defend itself.  Declawed cats (which should always be indoors for their own safety, by the way) will need even more supervision and protection.  Since dogs do not generalize well, a dog that chases cats outdoors might be ok with a cat that it sees as part of its “pack” indoors, but there are no guarantees.  It is easier if the dog has been obedience-trained and knows some basic commands like “down,” “stay,” and “leave-it” before the introduction; the dog should drag a long-line or leash for safety in any case.  Other suggestions:

• Do not force the issue, restrain the cat, or put the cat in any situation where it might panic and run from the dog, because running will trigger the dog’s natural urge to chase prey;

• Be sure your cat has some high escape-routes (such as along mantels, furniture, or high shelves) and train your cat to use them (using treats) before the dog comes home;
• Have some tall, sturdy kitty-condos or other areas where the cat can get out of the dog’s reach;
• Keep the cat (with litterbox, food, and water) in a separate room with the door closed.  As the dog and cat get used to each others’ sounds and smells, switch to a baby-gate and supervision.  The cat will jump over the gate when it begins to feel comfortable around the dog;
• Continue to keep the litter-box behind a baby-gate so the cat has some privacy and to prevent dog from foraging in the box for kitty-poop “treats.”