Step by step to help your dog and cat become friends
It's common knowledge that dogs and cats don't always get along, but did you know that with training and patience, your dog and cat can become firm friends? Introducing them slowly and gently is key to them accepting each other.
Before you start, make sure they both feel secure in their environment. This is especially important for your cat, ensuring they know where they can retreat to if they feel threatened by the dog.
Here’s how:
Step 1
Step 1: Scent swapping
Start by letting your dog and cat get used to each other's scent. This is a great first step as scent is a primary way both species communicate. Keep them in separate rooms and let them sniff the other's blanket or toy. If either reacts negatively, stop the session and try again later. Once they react neutrally, you can let them swap rooms. Only move to Step 2 when they're completely neutral or positive towards each other's scent.
Sometimes both dogs and cats can react negatively to the other's scent, in which case you need to stop the training and calmly remove the object and try again at a later time.
When both the dog and cat react neutrally to the other's blanket or toy, you can extend the training by allowing them to switch rooms with each other. Only when both the dog and the cat react completely neutrally or positively to the other's scent can you move on to step 2.
Step 2: Supervised introductions
Once they're familiar with each other's scent, it's time for a face-to-face meeting. Hold your dog on a lead and use a baby gate or similar barrier to keep them safely separated. Ensure neither pet feels cornered. If they both react neutrally, proceed to Step 3.
Once the dog and cat have become familiar with each other's scents, it's time to let them meet face to face. It is important that the first meeting takes place in a place where neither the dog nor the cat feels crowded or can reach each other. Keep the dog on a leash and put a composting grid or baby gate between them.
When both the dog and cat react neutrally to the encounter, you can move on to step 3.
Step 3: Calm coexistence
Let your dog and cat properly sniff each other, keeping the dog on a lead initially. Take it slow and reward both pets for calm behaviour in each other's presence. Continue practising until they can comfortably share the same room.
The final step involves letting the cat and dog have a real sniff of each other. Keep the dog on a leash even in this step to begin with. Take it easy and reward both the dog and cat when they calm down in each other's presence.
Continue practicing step three until they can be completely at ease in the same room.
Remember:
Take your time and be patient – always reward positive behaviour.
Don't leave them unsupervised until they've truly accepted each other.
Your cat accepting your dog doesn't mean they'll accept all dogs.
