Introducing a cat to the house when we already enjoy a dog?
We have a collyxBelgian Shepherd, circumstances dictate that we have to look after a cat for a month or 2, he has see this cat before and though they didnt have a scrap nearby and then, it didn't look very promising.
How might we make the transition smoother?
Do we introduce them slowly or throw them within together?
any help will be appreciated
Put the cat in the bathroom and shut the door. Let the dog and cat smell each other from lower than the door. Do this for a couple days then bring the cat out but hold the cat then have another individual hold the dog. Let them smell each other for as long as they need to. If either of them act aggressive put the cat back in the bathroom and let them smell respectively other again. Bring the cat out out and let them smell each other again. Eventually they will get used to respectively other.
Never throw them in together. If possible, before the cat comes to live with you, do some scent mark. Take a blanket or other piece of bedding belonging to your dog and swap it with something belonging to the cat. That way they should get to recognise respectively others smell before they actually meet respectively other. You can also do the same with brushes - groom the dog and then use like brush to groom the cat and vice versa.
When the cat arrives it should be kept in a room of its own with everything in it that it requirements. Carry on with the scent marking for a few days and then leisurely start to let them meet and, when they are together, throw down some treats so that they both associate being together as a upright thing.
Answers: First intro - one or the other should be in a cage - probably the cat so it can be aware of secure. Having the dog feel like his domain is being invaded will only get him deterrent. When your dog sniffs out of curiosity, as long as he is calm, allow him. If he starts becoming aggressive or overly excited and scares the cat - right him. When he is calm and understands the command to leave the cat alone while within the crate, put a leash on him and allow the cat to come out of the crate on his own. Perhaps while you are sitting watching tv with the dog on the leash - loosely. You want to have the dog understand that this is ok, average, there is no reason to pay any attention to the cat. If as the cat starts to emerge and the dog starts to achieve excited - correct him and have him lay next to you. Calm curiosity is fine - excited is not.
I would not be off them together alone until you are CERTAIN that there will be no issues - you don't want vet bills, or worse. Give the cat his own area (with food, water, litter box, toys) that the dog cannot obtain to.
see to it that ur dog doesn't feel neglected. in the begining see to it that u r there when its their chow time.
see to it that u respect the dog & be cuddly cuddly to the cat.
i hold had one such pair & they were amazing.
my cat used to steal his food & he singular use to snarl but never once bit the cat.
wish a good petting time.
