How To Teach Your Dog and Cat To Get Along

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The best time to teach a dog and cat to get along is when one or both are being introduced into the family for the first time.

To complete this How-To you will need:

A dog and cat
A crate for each animal
Dog and cat treats
Dog and cat toys

Step 1: Evaluate the situation

Some dogs are more likely than others to harm cats. Learn what you can about a dog's personality before bringing one home. If you already have a dog, evaluate their temperament before introducing a cat.

Tip: To help the animal who's been with you longer adjust, avoid giving the new animal the run of the house right away.

Step 2: Supervise the introduction

Supervise the introduction with one or both animals crated. Let each one smell an item belonging to the other.

Tip: If you're introducing a puppy to your cat, hold the puppy and let the cat smell it. Do not hold the cat.

Step 3: Provide treats and toys

Provide treats and toys so the animals associate this together time with a pleasant experience.

Step 4: Limit supervised visits

End the visit if things get too rough. Say "No," and separate the animals.

Step 5: Feed cat out of reach of dog

Feed your cat out of reach of the dog so the dog won't eat the cat's food.

Step 6: Extend supervised visits

Increase the length of supervised visits as your pets make progress. Continue rewarding them with treats and play. If all goes well, you can expect to reach your goal within 3-4 weeks.

Step 7: Congratulate yourself

Enjoy your one big happy family. You've laid the foundation for your pets to be lifelong friends.

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Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• HomeFamily
• pets
• dogs
• dog
• care
• training
• teaching
• living
• coexisting
• cat
• get
• along
• behaving

[TheCrasella]

@TheCrasella tried that with my friends dog my cat hissed :( any other ideas

[molly11smile]

I have a cocker spaniel puppy and a cat =>

[99darkcloud]

I just got a huskee and my cats aren't to thrilled about it><, my cats either run away or hiss and attempt to scratch her(they have no claws)so can anyone help my cats and dog get along?

[JujixFruit]

I'm bringing a 1 1/2 year old Shar Pei/Pug mix (F, 25 lbs) home to 2 older cats (9 yr, M and 11 yr, F). Female has been around dogs when she was younger. She was frightened at first of my uncle's large Retriever mix, but calmed down after a week. She also used to play and run around with my aunt's Yorkies. I just don't know how she'll react now that she's older. My male cat has only seen one dog in his life and he was terrified. It was a large Pit mix, though. I hope they'll all get along! :(

[GingaHAGANEpegasus]

i dont need my self? great!

[TheMangetsuhozuki]

@iamacupcakee if you still need a bit more help their are products such as comfort zone and feliway that emit pheromones that make cats and dogs feel happy and calm even around eachother and GNC and other pet food companies make treats that can relax dogs and cats

[TheMangetsuhozuki]

@iamacupcakee needed some dogs have high prey drive have lots of toys and treats on hand for both pets and never let them be together unsupervised unless you trust them both completely i suggest too that u get a covered litter box so the cat feels safe going pottie and feed the cat high up out of the dogs reach and feed them together at the same time put cats food down first then prepare the dogs so they assosiate eachother with good things and the dog will see the cat as its leader

[TheMangetsuhozuki]

@iamacupcakee thing but its getting better also now on the cats part clip the cats nails or put nail caps on so the dog doesnt get hurt and if you havent already get a tall scratching post or allow your cat to climb on tall places where the dog cant get to so the cat feels safe also try to have frequent meeting sessions by placing the cat in a carrier and letting the dog investigate it when all goes well praise both animals then put the dog on a leash and let the cat investigate it muzzle may be

[TheMangetsuhozuki]

@iamacupcakee its tracks call it over and reward it eventually u can use this if it starts bothering the cat also to teach it leave it simply hold an object like its toy or something and when the dog looks away reward it after doing so a few times say "leave it" when it turns its head away teaching leave it helps the dog not become so fixated on the cat and wont result in the chase also walking the dog alot of times a day can help a tired dog wont bother a cat as much im going through the same

[TheMangetsuhozuki]

@iamacupcakee let the cat out and teach the dog the "off",and "leave it" commands off teaches the dog to stop in its tracks if it tries to chase the cat and leave it teaches it to leave the cat alone teach it off by getting a toy out and hold if the dog tries to grab the toy wait til it looks away and gives up then give it a treat do it over and over while saying off then when the dog responds on command go to step 2 and toss the toy and when the dog goes after it say off and when it stops in