We're due to get a rescue cat on Saturday. He's 14 months old and appears very confident, affectionate and playful! The staff at the rescue centre assured us he is 'ok' around other animals, including dogs.
My parents have a 9 year old Springer Spaniel that comes round with them when they visit (which is regularly as they live very near!). We also occasionally look after their dog for them. As far as we know, he doesn't really bother with cats that much.
My questions is, how do we 'introduce' the cat to the dog? Any suggestions or tips? We love Henry (the spaniel!) to bits and don't want him to feel upset we have a new pet, but at the same time we want the cat to gain confidence in his own new home!
Help?!!!
2007-07-23 05:31:15 · 5 answers · asked by Clare 4 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
I would wait at least a week for your new cat to settle in, and get used to you and his surroundings.
When you first introduce the dog, keep him on a lead, and let the dog and cat sniff each other. monitor their body language, and if there is wagging (from the dog) and no hissing (from the cat), allow the dog off the lead, and let them find their own feet.
Have an escape route, where the cat can go, but the dog can't reach, so that if the cat feels nervous, he can make a hasty exit. Don't force the situation, if the dog is a regular visitor, they will eventually get used to each other.
To avoid jealousy make sure you pay as much attention to both pets as you would normally, and praise good behaviour.
2007-07-23 06:09:14 · answer #1 · answered by HappyDays 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well since the spaniel is alread makin regular visits his scent is on the are so the cat will be used to it. By the time the spaniel comes over again ( I recomend waiting till the cat is comfortable in his new suroundings ) The cats scent will also be in the area. Let the spaniel roam , just keep an eye on them when they introduce themselves. Don't get excited about it, stay calm, otherwise you'll get them excited and things could go wrong. If all goes well you really won't have to do anything. If something does then you'll have to reacess the situation.
2007-07-23 05:46:41 · answer #2 · answered by thomas 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Ive never introduced my dogs to cats, but when we introduced them to our new baby, my husband and I were both there to make sure the introduction went smoothly, and we had a handful of treats for the dogs to keep them somewhat distracted and showed them a lot of affection and praise during the introduction. We let them sniff the baby and investigate the baby carrier and blankets. Then we took them outside to run off some energy. Hopefully, some of those techniques will help you. And make sure not to change up the dog rules in your house once you get the cat. If you let the dog jump in your bed before, they say it's better to continue with that so he won't associate the negative changes in rules with the new addition to the family.
2007-07-23 05:47:43 · answer #3 · answered by calimami 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Maybe for the first few days just have something with the dogs scent on it around the home so your cat can get used to his smell rather than physically introducing them, then when he meets him he'll recognise it. If you can get a harness for your cat just in case he decides to beat up the dog, then you can pull him away quick sharpish!
Have fun.
2007-07-23 08:34:48 · answer #4 · answered by ♥ Divine ♥ 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Here are 3 good articles on introducing cats and dogs. Click on the links to read. Hope they help, and good luck with your new kitty.
http://www.littlebigcat.com/index.php?action=library&act=show&item=cattodogintroductions
http://www.catclinicofroswell.net/faq/detaile27a.html?faqid=9
http://www.fabcats.org/introducing.html
2007-07-23 05:52:49 · answer #5 · answered by Mama_Kat 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋