Introducing new dog to cat.

Girlpantsx

Tonight we shall be introducing the dog to the cat. Just wondering if anyone has any tips?

The dog isn't bothered by cats when out on walks or out in the garden, but I'm sure the situation will be different when living with one. Is it best to leave the cat to it and not force anything? I don't like the idea of keeping them separate as I've read that it can cause more problems than throwing them together...

Any advice would be appreciated, thank you.

Tropez

I don't have much experience of this myself but often dogs are more accepting of new additions if they're introduced on neutral territory to begin with. Depending on how territorial your dog is (and cat for that matter) it might take some offence to suddenly being required to share its territory, thus in general it is often best to allow them to meet somewhere the dog doesn't regard as his/hers. Of course, if the dog is new to the home entirely then it might not have set ideas about its territory just yet.

Keeping them separate at home would likely cause problems if it was done for any length of time but after the initial introduction it might not hurt to allow both pets their "space" and gradually increase contact with each other, supervised of course, until both are comfortable around each other.

925dancer

I've never done it myself but I have seen some advice in the past.

The general consensus on an untested dog is pop them into a dog crate for the first introduction. This allows them to sniff each other, gauge reactions and allow them to sound each other out without uncontrollable hell breaking loose!

Girlpantsx

My cat got his back up, and the dog went a bit mad but no major incidents. I shall be trying the crate tomorrow. Wish me luck!