The cat who doesn't act finicky soon loses control of his owner.--"Morris the Cat"
INTRODUCING A NEW KITTY TO A RESIDENT DOG
Dogs and cats who do not have experience with the opposite
species when they were young will require some extra time to
become accustomed to each other. Dogs usually want to chase
and play with cats, and cats are usually afraid and defensive.
You can use any of the following techniques to make the
introduction a success:
* If your dog does not already know the commands "sit, down, come, and stay" you
should begin working on them. Little tidbits of food increase your dog's motivation to
perform, which will be necessary in the presence of such a strong distraction as a
new cat! Even if your dog already knows the commands, work with obeying
command in return for a tidbit.
* After the animals have become comfortable eating on either side of the door, and
have been exposed to each other's scents as described, you can attempt a face to
face introduction in a controlled manner. Put your dog's leash on and command him
to either "sit" or "down and stay" using food tidbits. Have another family member
enter the room and quietly sit down with the cat on his/her lap. The cat should also
be offered some special tidbits. At first, the cat and dog should be on OPPOSITE
sides of the room. Repeat this step several times until both the cat and dog are
tolerating each other without fear, aggression, or other uncontrollable behavior.
* Next, move the animals a little closer together, with the dog still on leash and the cat
gently held in a lap. If the cat does not like to be held, you can use a wire crate or
carrier instead. If the dog gets up from its "stay" position, it should be firmly
repositioned and praised and rewarded for obeying. If the cat becomes frightened,
increase the distance between the animals and progress more slowly. Eventually,
the animals should be brought close enough together to allow them to investigate
each other.
* Although your dog must be taught that chasing or being rough with the cat is
unacceptable behavior, your dog must also be taught how to behave appropriately,
and be rewarded for doing so. (e.g. sitting, coming when called, or lying down in
return for a tidbit) If your dog is always punished whenever the cat is around, and
never has "good things" happen in the cat's presence, your dog may redirect
aggression toward the cat.
* You may want to keep your dog on a leash and with you when the cat is free in the
house during the introduction process. Be sure that you cat has an escape route,
and a place to hide. Keep the dog and cat separated when you aren't home until you
are certain the cat will be safe.
PRECAUTIONS: Dogs love to eat cat food because it is very high in protein, and
therefore very tasty. You should keep the cat food out of the dog's reach (in a closet,
on a high shelf, etc.) Why dogs like to "raid the litterbox" is not well understood, but
eating cat feces is a relatively common behavior. Although there are no health
hazards to the dog from this habit, it is usually distasteful to owners. Unfortunately,
attemps to keep the dog out of the litterbox by "booby trapping" it will also keep the cat
away as well. Punishment after the fact will NOT change the dog's behavior.
Probably the best solution is to place the litterbox where the dog cannot access it
such as behind a baby gate, or in a closet with the door anchored open (from both
sides) just wide enough for the cat. Another helpful hint is to buy a covered litterbox
and turn it toward the wall with a space big enough for the kitty, but not the dog.
REMEMBER: SUCCESSFUL INTRODUCTIONS REQUIRE TIME AND PATIENCE.
DON'T EXPECT THINGS TO BE PERFECT OVERNIGHT!
Ritter & pansey...proof it can work!
Bringing Your New Kitty Home
Introducing a New Cat to Resident Cat (Cats)
Introducing a New Dog to Resident Dog (Dogs)
Introducing a New Cat to Resident Dog (Dogs)
Introducing a New Dog to Resident Cat (Cats)
Cat Housebreaking Troubles
Dog Housebreaking Problems
Facts About Declawing Your Cat
Benefits of Altering Your Cat
ChaucerBenefits of Altering Your Dog
Lead Training
Small Children and Puppies
Outdoor Dogs
Hot Weather Care For Pets
You Can't Find Good Homes For All of Them
Have You Walked Your Dog Today?
Dogs and the 4th of July
Does Your Dog Ride in the Back of a Pickup Truck?
INTRODUCING A NEW KITTY TO A RESIDENT DOG
Dogs and cats who do not have experience with the opposite
species when they were young will require some extra time to
become accustomed to each other. Dogs usually want to chase
and play with cats, and cats are usually afraid and defensive.
You can use any of the following techniques to make the
introduction a success:
* If your dog does not already know the commands "sit, down, come, and stay" you
should begin working on them. Little tidbits of food increase your dog's motivation to
perform, which will be necessary in the presence of such a strong distraction as a
new cat! Even if your dog already knows the commands, work with obeying
command in return for a tidbit.
* After the animals have become comfortable eating on either side of the door, and
have been exposed to each other's scents as described, you can attempt a face to
face introduction in a controlled manner. Put your dog's leash on and command him
to either "sit" or "down and stay" using food tidbits. Have another family member
enter the room and quietly sit down with the cat on his/her lap. The cat should also
be offered some special tidbits. At first, the cat and dog should be on OPPOSITE
sides of the room. Repeat this step several times until both the cat and dog are
tolerating each other without fear, aggression, or other uncontrollable behavior.
* Next, move the animals a little closer together, with the dog still on leash and the cat
gently held in a lap. If the cat does not like to be held, you can use a wire crate or
carrier instead. If the dog gets up from its "stay" position, it should be firmly
repositioned and praised and rewarded for obeying. If the cat becomes frightened,
increase the distance between the animals and progress more slowly. Eventually,
the animals should be brought close enough together to allow them to investigate
each other.
* Although your dog must be taught that chasing or being rough with the cat is
unacceptable behavior, your dog must also be taught how to behave appropriately,
and be rewarded for doing so. (e.g. sitting, coming when called, or lying down in
return for a tidbit) If your dog is always punished whenever the cat is around, and
never has "good things" happen in the cat's presence, your dog may redirect
aggression toward the cat.
* You may want to keep your dog on a leash and with you when the cat is free in the
house during the introduction process. Be sure that you cat has an escape route,
and a place to hide. Keep the dog and cat separated when you aren't home until you
are certain the cat will be safe.
PRECAUTIONS: Dogs love to eat cat food because it is very high in protein, and
therefore very tasty. You should keep the cat food out of the dog's reach (in a closet,
on a high shelf, etc.) Why dogs like to "raid the litterbox" is not well understood, but
eating cat feces is a relatively common behavior. Although there are no health
hazards to the dog from this habit, it is usually distasteful to owners. Unfortunately,
attemps to keep the dog out of the litterbox by "booby trapping" it will also keep the cat
away as well. Punishment after the fact will NOT change the dog's behavior.
Probably the best solution is to place the litterbox where the dog cannot access it
such as behind a baby gate, or in a closet with the door anchored open (from both
sides) just wide enough for the cat. Another helpful hint is to buy a covered litterbox
and turn it toward the wall with a space big enough for the kitty, but not the dog.
REMEMBER: SUCCESSFUL INTRODUCTIONS REQUIRE TIME AND PATIENCE.
DON'T EXPECT THINGS TO BE PERFECT OVERNIGHT!
Ritter & pansey...proof it can work!
Bringing Your New Kitty Home
Introducing a New Cat to Resident Cat (Cats)
Introducing a New Dog to Resident Dog (Dogs)
Introducing a New Cat to Resident Dog (Dogs)
Introducing a New Dog to Resident Cat (Cats)
Cat Housebreaking Troubles
Dog Housebreaking Problems
Facts About Declawing Your Cat
Benefits of Altering Your Cat
ChaucerBenefits of Altering Your Dog
Lead Training
Small Children and Puppies
Outdoor Dogs
Hot Weather Care For Pets
You Can't Find Good Homes For All of Them
Have You Walked Your Dog Today?
Dogs and the 4th of July
Does Your Dog Ride in the Back of a Pickup Truck?
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