This post is sponsored by Hill’s. I am being compensated for helping spread the word about Hill’s® Food, Shelter, & Love Program, but Dog Mom Days only shares information we feel is relevant to our readers. Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Inc. is not responsible for the content of this article.
I can’t imagine my home without cats AND dogs. I grew up with a cat. Just one. Her name was Koos. She died when she was 16 years old – I was 10 (RIP beautiful girl) and it was traumatizing. My whole life I’ve had cats. The first animal I adopted when I got an apartment on my own was a kitten named Edison. Since then I’ve rescued two more cats from an animal shelter.
Here’s the catch: I have dogs also! When I rescued Wynston in February 2012, I had three cats and a guinea pig. So now the hard part – introduce the small Chihuahua to three crazy cats…
Honestly, my cats thought Wynston was another cat. He was indeed smaller than them at the time. The introduction went well and it only took a couple days for all of my babies to get used to each other. Although it may not be that easy, it’s always possible, whether you’re introducing an adult cat or kitten into your home.
Tips for introducing a new cat to your dog:
- Know your dog’s temperament. You probably know your dog pretty well. How does it do with other dogs? Kids? Does your dog have a strong prey drive? You need to make an honest decision on whether or not you think your dog will do well with a cat in the house.
- Brush up on basic obedience skills for your dog. You want to make sure your dog will listen to you even if there are distractions around. Positive reinforcement training will help with this.
- When you first come home with your new adult cat or kitten, put he or she in a room with a closed door. Allow your new cat to walk around the room and get used to smells and sounds in the house. The dog and cat can also sniff each other under the door, which will help each animal become acquainted. You don’t want to stress out your new cat (who is probably already nervous) or your dog.
- You can also put the dog and the cat in the same room if the dog is properly leashed, in case it makes a lunge or jump toward the cat. This will give you a good initial indication on how your dog is going to act.
- Reward the cat and dog for good behavior with treats. Delicious treats for the cat will lower stress levels and create a sense of comfort.
- Use a baby gate. You can put the cat in a room with a baby gate at the door so the animals can see one another. I would suggest supervising , however, especially if your dog may be able to jump the gate.
- Keep the dog and cat confined to separate areas of the home when you aren’t around to supervise, until they are completely comfortably with each other.
- Make sure your dog doesn’t have access to the litter box. This will ensure the cat knows he or she has a safe, quiet place to go to the bathroom.
- Stressful situations can cause digestive and skin issues for your cat. To help with that you can feed your cat Adult Sensitive Stomach and Skin formula from Hill’s Science Diet.
The introduction of a new cat to your home can be very easy and stress free if you don’t force the situation. Dogs and cats can live their entire lives in harmony if the introduction process is done correctly. Give each animal plenty of space and time. Patience is key. It will take some animals longer to come around than others, but don’t get discouraged. Khloee has taken a lot more time to get used to the cats than Wynston did. Sometimes she likes to chase them. Although Sadie gives Khloee a run for her money, we always stop Khloee from going after them. We know she just wants to play – but it’s not fair to the cats.
This post is a part of the The Hill’s Food, Shelter & Love® program series, which is encouraging people to support their local shelters by donating toys or food and spending time with the cats who need loving families. The program is also helping shelters get in touch with donors who can help their organization! Hill’s has provided over $240 million worth of food to nearly 1,000 shelters, 365 days a year helping over 6 million pets find a new home…and counting. When you choose Science Diet® for your own pets, you can help thousands of shelter pets around the country.
To get involved or find out more about the Hill’s Food, Shelter & Love campaign, visit this link!
Have you ever introduced a a dog and cat to each other in your home?
Felissa (Two Little Cavaliers) says
Oh my goodness! I had to do a double take a few minutes ago on Instagram. I thought your Sadie was my parents cat Dora and I couldn’t figure out what she was doing in a picture with a white dog let alone so close to the dog. Not that Dora doesn’t get along with Dogs she certainly does she just takes a while to warm up to new people and animals.
Amanda says
LOL! That’s too funny. My cat Joey never warms up to people – since he’s disabled I think he has a hard time trusting strangers. Luckily he does well with other animals though. Big dogs however…that’s a different story. He got chased by one (a good Samaritan picked him up off the street and brought him to a shelter) so when big dogs are in the house I shut him in a room so he’s not bothered.
Bernard Lima-Chavez says
This excellent! Having multiple species in one house can be counter-intuitive to many, but your tips will definitely open a few eyes! We live with six cats, four large dogs of which two are deaf and they get along just fine. A few of the cars enjoy the dogs and a few just ignore them. I find it is the cat that wears the pants most often in a canine-feline relationship.
DZ Dogs says
Excellent tips! We have 2 dogs, our 2 cats, and a foster dog all successfully integrated. And the cats are in charge, they make sure no one forgets. 🙂 The first couple days we had our foster dog we didn’t trust him completely around the cats so we were careful to give lots of treats, redirection, and keep him on a leash in the house. On day 3 I think…Belle (our cat) chased him! It was really funny, and he’s been more careful ever since.
Amanda says
My disabled cat, Joey, tends to stay out of things. But Sadie, my Calico, and Wynston play like they are the same species! Khloee leaves Joey alone (I think she definitely knows he’s disabled) but she’ll terrorize Sadie until Sadie gives in to play time! On a side note, thanks for fostering!!!
Joan DeMartin says
Thanks for this fun and informative post! And kudos to Hills for the important work they’ve done with their #FoodShelterLove program!
Amanda says
They have been doing some great work to bring awareness to local shelters and help them out. It’s a wonderful program!
Deb Barnes - Zee and Zoey says
Great post! Speaking from experience, living in a dog/cat home can bring so much love and joy to the household. At my highest count, once I had 5 dogs, 4 cats, one bunny, and a frog all living under one roof! I miss those days… The point is, with some patience and basic guidelines, cats and dogs ABSOLUTELY can live together!
Amanda says
Patience and basic guidelines are definitely key! Sounds like you had a very busy household at one point – that is so super fun!
Cathy Keisha says
Great post. TW couldn’t innerduce another cat to me. Maybe she’d have more luck with a woofie.
Carol Bryant says
Great post and I agree – they can get along and be best buddies.
Amanda says
Thanks Carol! My calico Sadie and Wynston are best buds. It helps that they are the same size!