How do I introduce a dog to my cat?

Question

My boyfriend has this really hyper dog (a Whippet pup) that is almost 2 years old. And I have a cat that does not like dogs. When the dog comes over to my house, the cat runs and hides under my bed. I feel really bad, because she is too scared to even come out to eat. The dog doesn't mean any harm, and just wants to play, but he is so hyper that it freaks her out. Does anyone have any ideas to get them to get along?

Answer 1

I'd start out by taking the dog for walks to burn all that energy! They are a high energy breed, and not going for walks is a bad combination!! I'd say 2 walks a day, for about 30-40 minutes a day.
If the dog has any other problems, I'd try obedience training as well. You'd be surprised at how much behaviroal change can come from the sit/stay or leavie it command!

Then, I'd take the dog and lay the dog down on his side/back, and hold onto the dog by the neck, then grab the cat, and keep putting the cat on, or near the dog. This will let the cat know that the dog doesn't mean any harm. Keep doing this until the cat stops running away. Make sure the dog doesn't try to play with kitty. When he does, lay him down and put the cat near him. This will also tell the dog, that the cat is not to be played with.

Get the dog some really interesting chew toys too. A stuffed animal, a squeeky toy, a rope ro play tug of war. Get the dog some mind toys too, like a kong. It will make the dog work for the treat, challenge his mind. If he has something else to do, and not as much energy, then he won't be bothering the cat as bad, or as often!

Answer 2

Well, it takes time for your cat to adjust to your boyfriend's dog, this may be a little bit tricky, but they may get along eventually. When I was about 8 years old, which was back in 1981, we had a cat, and about 3 months after we had the cat, we had a Black Lab dog mixed with Springer, and the cat could not stand him. I tried to introduce him to the dog one time and when I opened the door to the stairway to the walk up attic (There was a bedroom up there) that lead to the kitchen, he hissed with all his might and he turned into a porcupine when his fur went up. THe cat would jump on the top of the fridge for the first few weeks, and when the cat was walking around the dog would play with him and chase him around the house. A few times I would have the sofa sleeper pulled out when I would sleep on the sofa sleeper, and both the dog and the cat would sleep on it, so they did get along later on. ANd one time when we had to send our dog to the vet to get fixed, the cat got out of the house for about 2 days looking for him, and all that. I would give it some time for the animals to adjust, the cat would realize that he is there to stay. Try to get your cat from under the bed now and then, and see what happens.

Answer 3

I think that only time will correct this problem, but you could do some things to ease its process. Maybe buy or build a cat tree, so that your cat has a safe place to go away from the dog. In addition to this I would keep the cat's food up high so that it can get to it without fear of the dog. Maybe, give them shorter periods of introduction for a while, until they are more familular with one another. Another trick I heard was to take a towel and rub your cat with it, then rub the dog with the same towel. When cats rub up against something or someone they are actually transferring their scent, it you cover the dog in the cats scent and vise versa, maybe this will help them out.
Good luck!

Answer 4

keep the dog on a leash so that it can't run after your terrified cat, cuddle her and slowly bring the dog closer to her and let her get used to the dog at her own pace.

Answer 5

Dog meet cat, cat meet dog (sorry, I couldn't resist)