Introducing Dogs and Cats

Bringing home a new family member can be unsettling for everyone at first. Your current pet will need to share territory and attention, your new pet will need to learn the routine and accept the new environment, and you will need to be safety monitor/peacemaker/troubleshooter all in one.

The introduction and transition requires lots of time, patience, planning, and work. The result might be a great big family that gets along beautifully, or pets that are indifferent to each other, or pets that will never get along and need to be kept separate from each other or closely supervised.

To prevent either pet from getting hurt, it's important to prioritize safety. Go slow and read signals from the pets. Waiting an extra day - or two or ten - can help if either pet is nervous or over-excited.

The new pet you're adopting is completely new to you. You've spent time with the new pet and read the League's description of the pet's characteristics. But the shelter is a strange environment, with constant smells, sounds and sights of other animals and strangers. The pet's true personality is probably not yet visible - the personality that will bloom in about two to three weeks in the security and love of your home.

The new pet is likely to be withdrawn or over-stimulated by the newness of leaving the shelter and entering your house. Meeting the current pet is a big step; make sure the new pet is calm before the meeting happens. You might also be able to prepare the current pet ahead of time by bringing home a small cloth with the new pet's smell on it (just from rubbing the fur.) You also want to spend extra time with your current pet so that you lessen the threat of the competition.

You might need to adjust some of your household procedures. For example, for cat's food and water bowls and litter box will probably have to be moved out of reach of your dog - either in a separate room or up high.

Introducing a New Dog to a Current Cat

Most dogs are simply extremely curious about cats. Some really want to play - which is usually too much for the cat. When you first come home with your new dog, hold the dog closely on leash and allow the cat to investigate. You should confine your new dog in one room of the home or in a crate overnight and when you're away from home for at least the first week. You'll be doing this not just for the cat's safety but also for the new dog's comfort and housebreaking and chewing issues.

Supervise them closely when you are home and the dog isn't confined. The dog will probably chase the cat; the cat will probably retreat to a place where the dog can't get to it. Correct the dog by saying "no" in a low-pitched and firm, but not angry, voice. Eventually, most cats will learn to stand their ground and deter harassment with a show of claws or a vicious hiss. Break up a true fight by spraying water on the animals. Some cats never take a stand and may simply avoid the dog.

Your cat should always have an escape route available. You could use a hook lock that keeps a door ajar or even cut cat doors into certain rooms of the home. You can also put baby gates in front of certain rooms so that your dog can't get in, but your cat can leap over. Or raise the gate so that the cat only can fit underneath.

Introducing a New Cat to a Current Dog

You will want to whisk your new cat in the carrier straight into the separate room where you'll be confining the cat during the first week or two. Aside from the need to keep you new cat and dog safely separated, it's important to let the cat become familiar with one room first so that it isn't further overwhelmed by the size of your home environment. The cat and dog will be aware of each other by smell and sound. They might even touch each other if there's a gap under the door. This is fine. When you first bring the new cat out of the confinement room to start exploring the house, you can try a meeting with the dog. If your new cat is on the shy skittish side, remember that there's no rush. Another person should have a good grip on your dog's collar - or even put your dog on a leash.

Continue the confinement, bringing your new cat out with your dog still being held or leashed. Also allow the cat out to explore when you dog is out on a walk. When your new cat seems comfortable (wait a minimum of a week), let the two loose together in the house with close supervision, with cat escapes and dog corrections as described above.