The best way to introduce a new dog to your cat

 

To live like cats and dogs is a cliché which suggests the almost impossibility for cats and dogs to live peacefully in same environment without the usual altercation associated with these pets of somewhat strange bed fellows. For people who already have either of the two pets, bringing the other into the home may pose a major challenge. For while it may look like a dog is always able to over- power the cat, it is possible for the cat to severely injure a dog in a fight. However, despite the challenges this may pose for cats and dogs to live peacefully in a home, it is not impossible for these two pets to achieve friendship. But a lot will depend on you.

 

Before you can think of bringing a dog to your house to meet your cat, it is important to learn a few tips that will help you. Have it in mind, though, that not every dog is suited to co-exist with a cat in same environment. Such dogs are very aggressive and will not hesitate to attack your cat. If you have such an aggressive dog, never think of bringing him close to your cat. Without further delay, let us dive into the crux of this matter, and by this I mean the tips you must follow to introduce a new dog to the cat at home.

1. Before bringing a new dog to your home, ensure that you prepare different escape routes for your cat in case the need arises. Dogs are more powerful than cats and are many times likely to over-power it. So it is important that the cat has many spots, such as counter tops, shelves and kitty condos, where it can leap to incase of any possible attack. Also, using baby gates to block off the rooms (as long as the dog cannot jump over it) will keep the cat at a reasonable distance while allowing it to have a good view of the dog. It is again important that you acquaint your cat with these escape routes before-hand by luring it to these places of refuge.
2. Arrange the cat’s belongings to an area of the house where they will be out of the reach of the dog. This will enable the cat to play while keeping a safe distance away from the dog. Do this some weeks before bringing the dog to the house to enable the cat to get used to the new terrains where her things are kept. 
   
   
   
3. On the day you bring in the dog home, introduce him to the cat through a closed door or a baby gate. But make sure that you and, at least, one person is at each side of the gate to restrain the dog in case it charges aggressively towards the cat. But if the introduction goes well without a fight, lavish them with praises and a treat. Every time they get along together, give them a good treat. This will make them always want to get along together because they’ll realize that every time they do, good things happen. However, if on this first formal introduction the cat does not want to get along, do not force her but do not relent. It’s just a matter of time and you’ll achieve your aim of bringing them to get along as friends.
4. While making the first introduction, ensure to keep the dog on a leash so as to easily restrain him in case he tries to attack the cat but do not try to restrain the cat. You want to give the cat the assurance that it can escape if she's threatened. In all your efforts to bring them to feel comfortable in each other’s company, never attempt to leave them alone until you are sure they can get along peacefully.
   
   
   
5. Help them to get used to each other’s body scent by doing this singular thing: Get two cloths and rob on each pet and put each cloth on each other’s hangout places. After repeating this process several times, the pet will begin to recognize each other’s body scent and will no more become overly disgusted by the other’s smell.