first I’ll share ideas on how to introduce a new puppy or adult pet dog to your cat, along with what to consider before you even bring Fido home in the first place.
I also cover the hard decision of having to re-home a pet dog who’s figured out to harm your citizen cat.
I’m Barbara and I write frequently for That Mutt. I’m also a blogger over at K9s Over Coffee.
Can dogs and cats really coexist peacefully?
Since dogs and cats aren’t necessarily known as BFFs, let’s first answer the question of whether or not they can really coexist peacefully. The quick answer is yes, they can under certain scenarios and depending on variables such as:
Cat’s and dog’s age
Personality
Socialization history
Dog’s breed and size
The human’s patience
Examples of serene dog/cat coexistence
My pal Laura has a very gentle golden Retriever, Lucy, and two cats, Domino and Scott. They’re not BFFs, but they respect and get along with each other.
One of my pet dog walking clients has a Labrador, an American Bulldog and a cat. same scenario here – they’re not best buddies, bet they get along and coexist peacefully.
American Bulldog Chester, Labrador Macy, and Maine Coon cat Sherman
That’s ever considering that Sherman the cat put the Bulldog in his place with a well placed claw paw when the bulldog was a puppy and overly eager to chase Sherman.
Macy, the Labrador, is mellow and easygoing. Consequently, she never bothers the cat.
That Mutt‘s Lindsay also has a cat named Scout and a weimaraner named Remy who get along. They’re not “friends” by any indicates but they get along just fine. Lindsay leaves them loose together when she’s not home and she doesn’t worry about them at all.
Weimaraner Remy and tabby cat Scout
So yes, cats and dogs can live together under certain circumstances. That being said, the three homes I just pointed out have one common denominator.
They all had their cats first before they brought their dogs home as puppies.
Which pet dog breeds normally don’t get along well with cats?
Dog breeds who might not do well with cats are hunting breeds because of their strong prey drive. The same applies to herding breeds because they tend to be enthusiastic about herding the family, including the cat. Finally, certain terriers also have a strong prey drive.
Lindsay’s Weimaraner Remy is a hunting breed, so technically he’s not predisposed to living with a small animal that has a prey-like appearance like a cat.
However, considering that Remy joined Lindsay’s family as a puppy, he was appropriately socialized to Scout, the cat. He’s been doing just fine around him.
See That Mutt’s post: Can weimaraners live with cats?
On the other hand, Lindsay tried to add an adult Weimaraner named Raven to her family this year and had no luck with that endeavor.
Raven is actually Remy’s full sister but hadn’t been socialized to cats as a puppy. As a result, she was obsessed with trying to chase and kill Scout, which undoubtedly was a dealbreaker.
More on that in the section “Is it ok to re-home the dog?” at the end of this article.
My own pup Wally is a Feist, which is also a hunting breed. A squirrel hunting breed to be specific. I adopted Wally when he was one year old, and he goes nuts whenever he sees a cat!
I’ve had to carry out several techniques like changing directions when he sees a cat on a walk, impulse control, and taking him to a different room when he spots one through a window at home!
See my post how to stop your pet dog from Chasing Cats for my ideas.
So while I really like cats, there’s no way I’d be able to have a cat join us, nor would I have been able to adopt Wally if I already had a kitty!
But that’s OK. I know I can’t have a cat with Wally, and it’s not his fault. It’s simply in his genes to want to chase small animals like cats, and I have to respect that.
Which pet dog breeds tend to get along with cats?
Now that we have an understanding of which breeds might not do well with cats, let’s talk about breeds that are typically fine with cats. Those are some sporting dogs, retrievers, and toy breeds such as:
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. toy breed.
Pug. toy breed.
Maltese. toy breed.
Pomeranian. toy breed.
Beagle. low to the ground.
Basset Hound. low to the ground.
Golden Retriever. gentle and mellow.
Collie. Gentle.
Poodle. Gentle.
Newfoundland. Although they’re gigantic in size, they’re known to be gentle giants with lower energy and who get along with other pets.
Of course there are going to be variations within each breed. For example, there may very well be a goldenretriever who’s into chasing cats, just like there might be a German shepherd who’s best pals with a cat. However, normally speaking, the dogs I just provided above are typically just fine with cats.
What to consider before you introduce a pet dog to your cat
You’ve probably guessed it by now, there are a few things to consider before you introduce a pet dog to your cat. I recommend you ask yourself the following questions:
1. Can I adopt a puppy rather than an adult dog? Puppies are a lot more work than older dogs who are already house trained, but they’re likely the better option in this particular scenario because a puppy can a lot more easily be socialized to your cat.
By the way, the easiest way to make sure that your cat and pet dog duo get along is to adopt or get a kitten and a puppy at the same time!
2. What breed is the pet dog I plan on adopting? adult hunting breeds and herding dogs aren’t the best option because of their prey drive and herding tendencies. That being said, you might be able to find an adult pet dog that has grown up with cats or has been in a foster home with cats and co-existed OK.
3. Does the pet dog have any behavioral issues? Ask the rescue staff for clues! For example, was the pet dog surrendered because he didn’t get along with a cat or other small pet? have they seen him interact with cats during his time at the shelter/rescue facility?
Once you’ve made the decision to adopt a particular dog, it’s time to bring him home with you!
Also, communicate clearly with the rescue staff. let them know that you’re trying to find a pet dog who needs to get along with your citizen cat.
They will probably be able to point you towards the ideal doggie candidates. often they will do “cat testing” ideal at the shelter where they safely observe the dog’s reaction to a cat or cats at the shelter. On the other hand, some shelters do not bother to “cat test” the dogs.
Bringing the new pet dog home
Although this is an exciting time, try to be as calm as possible when your new buddy steps into your home. The calmer you are, the calmer your pup will be.
Walk your dog
I also recommend taking your puppy or adult for a walk in your neighborhood before inviting them inside your home, especially if you were in the automobile for a longer time.
It’ll burn some mental energy by taking in all the new sights and smells, and undoubtedly it will also allow them to get rid of some of their physical energy.
It’s exactly what I did with my Feist Wally when I brought him home from the foster family where he had been staying. We had been in the automobile for an hour, and he was ready to stretch his legs when I pulled into my driveway. So before even opening the garage, we went for a 45 minute walk around the neighborhood.
My Feist Wally
Short period of separation with scent introduction
Once you bring your pup inside, allow him a day or two to get situated before introducing him to your cat. This short period of separation is a good time for both the cat and the pet dog to familiarize each other with the new scent.
Make sure that your cat has his own space during this time, such as his own room. let your pup and your cat hang out or snooze on their very own blankets, then give your pet dog the cat’s blanket and vice versa. When you exchange their blankets, they’ll be able to get a little indirect scent introduction.
Provide their own spaces
This might seem counterproductive at first sight considering that your utmost goal is to have your cat and pet dog get along together. However, both will appreciate having their very own space where they feel safe and can get a break.
Your pup will do well with his own bed and/or crate if you decide to crate-train him. Your cat needs somewhere to hide like a scratching tree, floating shelves, and/or her very own cat room.
Or just any room or space in your home that’s off limits for the dog, equipped with a cat door the pup won’t fit through. This could be a home office, a guest bedroom, den, or the laundry room.
Carlson pet gate dividing a space in Lindsay’s home
The different phases when you introduce a pet dog to your cat
The main ingredients for the introduction are patience and calmness on our part, the human. It’s also best not to force any interaction and to take the pet dog for a walk beforehand, much like you did before you brought him into your home. If the pet dog is still a puppy, the walk can be shorter than it must be for an adult pup.
Next up it’s crucial that you, the human, are there withthe animals throughout all phases of the introduction. That way you’ll be able to control and redirect if necessary.
Phase 1: safety first – closed door
Introduce your cat and your pet dog through a closed door first, ideally with an adult on each side who rewards positive behavior with treats and attention.
Phase 2: enter the gate
Next, let them see each other, but still have them separated by a physical barrier, like a gate for example. The pet dog must still be on a leash because a large pet dog or even a smaller pet dog might hop ideal over the gate. Brave, curious kitties might also hop over the gate and unknowingly put themselves in danger.
Phase 3: same room
If that goes well, try having them be in the same room together, with your pet dog leashed so you can swiftly intervene if necessary. also make sure that your cat has an escape route, just in case.
If it doesn’t go well, get hold of your dog’s leash and redirect your dog’s attention to something other than the cat, and try again at a later time. This could indicate taking him for another walk or using him a tasty pet dog food puzzle. It’s best not to play a game of fetch or tug with your pet dog before this phase to make sure that he’s not in a chasing mood.
You could consider having your pet dog wear a muzzle if you’re anxious about your cat’s safety when you’re ready to try again.
Phase 4: Patience when you introduce a pet dog to your cat
It can take several weeks or even months for them to genuinely be comfortable around each other – cats tend to be a lot more territorial than dogs. Also, make sure to give your cat and your pet dog equal attention so they don’t have to compete for it!
This is where your patience and consistency are important. It will also pay off to train both your pet dog and your cat to be respectful of one another, as well as to listen to you.
Training your pet dog and your cat
It’s crucial to train both your cat and your dog, although you’ll reap the most evident benefit from training your dog. However, your cat also needs to understand that she has to behave politely around the pet dog and can’t just smack him whenever he walks by.
Teaching impulse control and obedience commands
Now, the utmost goal for your pet dog is to behave politely around your cat because – let’s face it – a pet dog can do a lot more damage to a cat than the other way around. What exactly does that entail? It indicates learning impulse control for times when they’re alone, and listening to your obedience commands when you’re around.
Those are commands like leave it, come, sit, stay, and possibly going to his place on command. They’ll all come in helpful when you want to interrupt your dog’s behavior and redirect him to do something else. For instance, stop chasing the kitty and go lie down on your bed instead!
Feist Wally learning to “stay” on his “place”
Or, sit politely next to your food bowl and wait for my ok to eat without bullying your kitty while she’s trying to eat her food.
Crate training when you introduce a pet dog to your cat
Until you’re confident that your pet dog and your cat get along peacefully in any way times, even when you’re not around, it’s a good idea to keep them physically separated for at least the first 3 months or so.
For example, you could keep your cat in her cat room or area of the house that’s off-limits for your dog. You could also, or additionally, crate your pet dog when you can’t actively supervise your pets’ behavior.
You’ll need a crate that’s just the ideal size for your dog. It needs to be large enough for him to easily step around and stand in, but not too large where he’d be encouraged to go potty at one end of the crate.
If your pet dog is a growing puppy, it’s a good idea to invest into a larger crate that comes with a divider. That way, you won’t have to get multiple crates un