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Cat to dog introductions

Our hints to help your fur-babies get off on the right paw

Time and patience are the keys to successfully introducing your new cat to your resident dog

A single hostile encounter between your new dog and resident cat can set their relationship tone for a long time – so let's keep it positive.

Step one: give them time

Allow your new cat at least 24-hours to adjust to your home and get to know you before beginning any pet introductions.

Step two: swap items

Swap a couple of their bedding items with your dog's, so both pets can adjust to each other's scent. Keep your new cat in their separate, comfortable area and give both pets treats while doing this, so they associate the smell with something good.

Step three: the first glimpse

When your pets are relaxed about each other's presence, you can try opening the door that's separating them. Place a barrier or room divider between the pets to let them see each other without touching.

Give them both toys and treats on each side of the divider.

It will help to have one person with your dog and one person with your cat, so each of you can focus entirely on one pet.

Step four: practice

With the door open, ask your dog to focus on you, not the cat, and reward them when they do. You might ask the dog to sit, lay down, or simply call their name.

Keep rewarding your cat with treats and allow them to hide or leave the situation.

Repeat this daily, every 30 minutes for around 2-5 minutes per session, until your dog can focus on you entirely and your cat is showing that they're comfortable.

Step four: first meet

Once both pets are comfortable with this limited exposure, bring your dog into the cat's space on a lead. Close the door behind you so that your cat can't escape and repeat the same interactions as in step four until both pets are comfortable.

Step five: gradually increase

Slowly increase the length of their interactions. Hopefully, after a few days of positive interactions, both pets are relaxed and unconcerned about each other.

Things to remember

  • Take every introduction at your pets' pace
  • Be patient, calm and never force your cat and dog to be together
  • A good outcome is that both pets end up tolerating each other. Anything more is a bonus
  • Praise both pets throughout meetings and give them treats. Never punish or use harsh tones
  • Give your dog lots of attention, so jealousy doesn't become an issue
  • Keep the pets separated when you are not home to supervise until you are confident they can tolerate each other
  • If either pet becomes fearful or hostile, return to a previous step – a minor setback will not ruin the friendship, but an aggressive encounter could end badly and affect the future relationship
  • Remember your pets may take two to three months to reach a comfortable place

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Animal Welfare League

Animal Welfare League of South Australia Inc (AWL) brings together lost and abandoned pets and caring humans to create happy homes where everyone feels loved.

Contact
Animal Care Centre
1-19 Cormack Road,
Wingfield SA 5013
10am - 3pm
Tuesday - Sunday

Edinburgh North Shelter
4 Hewittson Road
Edinburgh North SA 5113
10am - 3pm
Tuesday - Sunday
P: 08 8348 1300
E: support@awl.org.au
Pet adoption
Cat adoption
Dog adoption
Rabbit adoption
Frequently asked questions
Find a vet
Help us help animals
Donate online
Sponsor a pet
Donate items
Leave a legacy to animals in need
Do your own fundraising
Buy lottery tickets
Volunteer with our team
Become a foster carer
Animal welfare education
Pet boarding
Make an enquiry
Cat boarding
Dog boarding
Boarding services menu
House rules
Pet daycations
Terms and conditions
Pet cremations
Make an enquiry
Remembering your pet
Bringing them home
Equine cremation
Volunteer with our team
Frequently asked questions
Find a vet
Op shops
Our locations
Donate items
Volunteer with our team
I've lost my pet
Hints and tips
Submit a lost pet report
List of found pets
List of pets found by councils
Lost pets noticeboard
I've found an animal
Lost pets noticeboard
I've found a cat
I've found a dog
Rehome my pet
Rehome your cat
Rehome your dog
Rehome your rabbit
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Who we are
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For the Love of Pets
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08 8348 1300
support@awl.org.au
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