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Introducing a cat
to a dog is not always a cut-and-dried system. There are
several factors you need to consider. The most important
factor is the breed of dog that you are working with. If
your dog is a cross-breed and the two breeds are not
compatible within themselves, you will have a genetically
confused dog. This can make for a bit of a problem when you
want to introduce Fido to another cat. If you are not Alpha
over your dog, then he does not respect you, he will not
listen to you, and introductions to another cat should wait.
Here are some more tips:
When you are introducing a cat to a dog, there are several
factors to consider.
* You cannot
control the cat.
* Your focus should be on controlling the dog.
* You need to consider the breed of dog you are working
with.
* The dog should be obedience-trained, and respect you.
A puppy will become overly excited, and could hurt the cat
unintentionally.
When it goes right, you praise, praise, praise. If it goes
wrong NEVER punish! Dogs are pack animals. They respond to
other dogs differently.
Don't make the mistake of thinking because he is accepting
of other dogs in Obedience Class, that he will respond to a
cat favorably right away.
If you have a purebred dog, be sure to research how this
breed gets along with other pets. For example; an Afghan
hound is a hunter. If an Afghan sees a cat outside, it will
chase the cat. But inside the home, it will not. Cocker
Spaniels, Beagles, Bassett Hounds and Dachsunds are good
with other pets. Do your homework on this issue.
Obedience classes are a must. If your dog has not been
through an obedience course, do not attempt introductions.
Here are a few tips to get you through that stage -
* Keep your cat isolated from your dog.
* Make a safe and secure room for the cat.
* Swap scents; using an old blanket or towel, give the item
to your cat. Let her play on it, sleep on it, eat on it. Rub
her with this blanket and then leave it in her room for 24
hours.
* Remove the blanket and present it to your dog. Rub him all
over with it, let him roll on it, sniff it, sleep on it for
24 hours, then switch and do the same thing again. This
blends their scents, making them a bit more at ease with
each other.
* Use a soft plush dog toy, give it to the dog first, let
him play with it, slobber on it and then toss the toy into
the room with the cat. Just leave that toy there.
Obedience course completed?
You are now ready for the first meeting.
Take the dog for an extended walk. Use a choke collar and
short leash, not a retractable lead. You have minimal
control with a retractable lead, and you do not have your
dog's attention when using this.
Bring his favorite toy and find a safe place where he can
run and play fetch. You want him tired but relaxed.
Return home and put him in one of your largest rooms. Put
him in one end of the room, farthest from the door, on a
down- and- stay command.
Keep your hand on the leash so you have control of him.
Have a second person bring the cat into the room, and set
the cat down in the opposite end of the room. Make sure the
dog stays calm.
The cat will react in various ways upon seeing the dog. The
cat can spit, hiss and run out of the room, or dive for
cover. She could attack. If she runs at the dog, bring the
dog into a sit position quickly. This should stop her
attack.
She may just walk carefully over to the dog to check him
out. As long as you have that lead attached to that collar
and the dog's respect you have control.
Keep your emotions down for both animals will feed on your
emotions.
Only allow them a five-to ten minute first exposure
initially.
Herd your cat out of the room as she will be scared. Don't
pick her up. Herd her into her safe room turn the lights
down, turn on some classical music low (to help soothe her).
Shut the door and leave her be. Don't mess with her, or you
could get bit. It is helpful to have feliway spray
available, you can spray the room to help the cat stay calm.
Try the same routine the next day. Keep doing this procedure
adding to the time element, for as long as it takes until
the animals do not react to each other.
Have patience, for it is a slow process. They have to come
to understand that, they are not a danger to each other.
Once you see that neither animal reacts, take the lead off
the dog. Be sure to observe them carefully. Some dogs will
chase the cat when it turns around and runs. This is a
normal reaction on the dog's part.
Make sure your dog does not gain access to the cat's litter
boxes. Cats are gulpers by nature, so they rarely chew all
their food. What they leave in their pans smells like pure
protein to a dog. He is going after the scent of the *food*
he smells. The cat is just in the way.
One of the quickest ways to destroy the trust these two
animals will build up with each other, is to allow the dog
to ambush the cat in the litter pan. A Booda domed litter
pan works, only if you have a dog of a larger breed, but a
small puppy can easily find his way through the opening and
leave his scent inside leaving open the possibility of
litter box accidents.
If you have a small puppy, the safest first introduction is
done best while the cat/kitten is in a large cage. You don't
want to use a cat carrier, or a dog crate, it should be a
large wire cage.
Place the cat/kitten inside the cage, and bring the puppy
(on a lead) into the room. Again, be sure the puppy has gone
through basic obedience. Let them see each other; don't
allow the puppy to get to close. Keep your voice level and
firm and put the puppy on a down and stay command near the
cage. Let him lie there for five minutes, then lead him out
of the room and feed him a tasty treat. Go back and release
the cat/kitten out of the cage.
Do this style of introduction over a period of two weeks.
Gradually move the puppy closer and closer to the cage. If
the cat is spitting and hissing let her. This is normal
behavior. As long as you have control of the puppy that is
the most important aspect of this method.
If you haven't brought the dog/puppy into the home yet,
there are a few ways you can prepare your cat for this. Make
sure first of all that you set-up safe places; places tall
enough where the cat can get to. A tall cat condo is ideal.
Dogs cannot climb, but they can jump so be sure that the
condo is tall enough and sturdy enough, that if the puppy or
the dog jumps against it, the condo will stand. You can
attach it to the wall by some sturdy screws.
If your friend has a dog that is used to cats, ask your
friend to bring the dog over for an evening. Don't force the
cat to come in the same room. Chances are she won't, and she
will hide fairly effectively. But it will allow your cat to
be exposed to what is coming.
Start feeding your cat off the floor. Dogs love cat food. If
you have a table that you can clear off, or a shelf and
start feeding your cat there, you will have less
confrontation issues.
After the dog arrives, be sure and put the cat in another
room every time you feed the dog. More cats and kittens get
bit when they try and raid the dog's food bowl.
Set up a secure room for the cat. Do not allow the dog
access to this room. This is the place where the cat knows
is a "no-dog" zone. Allow her some way to access this room
24/7.
Despite the fact that these two are enemies, this sharing of
space can work. The key is really YOU. YOU have to take the
initiative and research. YOU have to take your dog through
obedience courses, and keep YOUR stress level low.. Don't
expect trouble, but be prepared should there be.
Dogs are pack animals, and cats are generally quite
sociable. The two animals can get along in your world, if
you pay attention to details and remember that patience is
key.
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