What are the best ways to get a cat and a dog to be friends?

Question

We just got this boxer, well we found him, and he is HUGE! My cat is TERRIFIED of it. What is the best way to get him and her to be friends?

Answer 1

I used to have a dog and a cat at the same time. I had the dog (an adult) first and then adopted a young adult cat. The cat was afraid of the dog at first but, after they got used to each other, they ended up being best friends. What you need to do is take some time to introduce them to each other. It's important to be very patient and not expect them to love each other right away. You don’t want to force them together too fast; but you do want to provide a safe environment in which they can discover each other.

To begin, you really should find a friend or someone to help you introduce them to each other; it works best with 2 people. First of all, make sure you really do trust that the dog is a nice dog and that he won't try to hurt your cat. Your cat may trust you and therefore start to trust the dog but, if the dog turns on the cat, the cat won't trust either one of you. (I don't mean if the dog barks or runs after him; that's to be expected at first. Just make sure he's not going to growl and try to bite the cat.)

You should sit down on the floor with your cat in your lap. Have your friend sit down on the floor, a few feet away, with the dog on a very short leash. Slowly have the dog come closer, keeping him on a short leash the whole time, until he and the cat are almost nose-to-nose and can sniff each other. All the while, hold and pet your cat, talking to him in a soothing voice. When the dog gets close enough, try petting him with one hand while still holding your cat so he can see that you approve of both of them.

After this initial sniff, let your cat go. He will probably run away as fast as he can and go hide somewhere. (Keep the dog on the leash so he can't chase the cat.) This is OK. Now that you've made the initial contact, you need to give your cat some time to adjust to the idea. Make sure he has a place to go where he can feel safe and know the dog can't get him. You don't have to go out of your way to find someplace special, just don't, for example, close off all the rooms where the cat could go to hide under a bed or climb up onto something high where the dog can't reach him. Let the cat have some space.

Once or twice every day, try to repeat the "introduction" with the dog and cat, where there are each being held and have to sniff each other. Each "introduction" can be very brief. The important thing is to keep repeating it in a calm, safe way and then let the cat run away after each meeting. Meanwhile, during the first few days, try to keep your dog from chasing your cat. If you have to, put a gate up, confining the dog to just one or two rooms. What you should find is that the cat will gradually start emerging from his hiding place more and more and may cautiously try to check out the dog. Little by little, if he feels it’s safe, he will start going around the dog more and more. Hopefully, after a little while, you’ll be able to let your cat and dog loose in the whole house together and neither of them will mind.

How well this works and how long it takes depends on each individual dog and cat. It’s usually easiest with younger cats and not overly hyper dogs, but it’s not impossible with other types. Many dogs and cats will grow to be very good friends who play together, sleep together, and provide very good company for each other when you’re not home. But even if they don’t get to this point, they will most likely at least get to the point where they can co-exist and just ignore each other.

I hope this works for you and that your cat and dog have many happy years together. Good luck!

Answer 2

We had cats and dogs when I was growing up and there was never a Problem they all got on with each other . One time when we had no cat and we had a Dog my Mother took in a stray Cat and we kept warning the Dog not to touch the Cat and we reassured the Cat and kept it calm they soon got the Message the Cat was never the Dogs Friend but they tolerated each other and left each other alone. The only time we ever had a Problem was Feeding time we would have to feed the Dog first then the Cat on opposite sides of the Room. When the Cat would finish its Meal and walk away the Dog would always make sure there was nothing left in Cats Dish and gobble it up in spiteif anything was left over. You will just have to Keep watch for a while to make sure theres no Fighting and tell each of them off if any Hostility Repetition is the Key here until they get used to each other it dosent take long.

Answer 3

Old or young animals are like people. They will feel comfortable with each other once they know they can trust each other. This may take time, the older the pet is the longer it may take. Don't try to push the situation. Even when they get a little bugged with each other one might say. As long as there is no danger of injury let them go. They are just feeling each other out. If you get excited the animal will sense it (not good). The cat is usually the one who will end up been the boss (specially if the cat is a female). Don't get discouraged and good luck!
Bev

Answer 4

There really isn't a best way to get them to be friends if they are both full grown. The cats and dogs, I had before grew up together. I got the cat when she was a kitten and he was a pup. They were the same age, so they adored eachother.

Answer 5

I believe I saw on television a man would put the dog on the leash so the cat can sniff the dog and they can get used to each other. But in nature, they might never get along. If you can hold the dog on the leash then keep on trying! (Watch the Animal Planet. It helps! :) )

Answer 6

You will have a problem,cats and dogs get along if they are raised together,but you never know, it depends on them both.

Answer 7

Impose one house rule - the dog is ALWAYS wrong. The dog will get it eventually. You can't train the cat.

Answer 8

When they are young you have to get them to know each other and live together for along time that's how they can be friends.