Raising cats and dogs, with their different needs and habits, in the same home can be chaotic. This is especially true if the interspecies siblings have not been trained or acclimated to get along, and you are forced to keep them in different areas of the home. Such a situation is not only impractical but dangerous, as fights and territory disputes can occur if they accidentally cross paths. We’ve put together this list of pointers for all those very special pet parents trying to help their pups and pussycats adapt to their unique living environment. As you read through the following steps, keep in mind that your old pet will not accept the addition of a new pet easily, so don’t force them to interact too much in the beginning and plan on the integration process taking anywhere from a few weeks to a few months.
- To begin with, keep the new pet in a separate room for a few days, so that he starts to feel comfortable in his new home.
- Allow each pet some free roaming time in the house, while the other pet is kept temporarily in a separate room.
- Let them smell each other from under a door or rotate their bedding, so that they become accustomed to each other’s sounds and smells before they meet.
- Eventually introduce them through a barrier like a dog gate. You will need to let them meet in this manner for at least a couple of weeks. Positively reinforce calm meetings through play, petting, talk and treats.
- When you feel they are ready to meet without a barrier (they are calm and there is no threatening body language from either pet), introduce them while keeping your dog on a loose leash. Allow them to interact, while you remain vigilant, monitoring their body language. If your dog becomes stiff and begins to growl, or your cat arches her back and begins to hiss, separate them immediately. Allow them to have many supervised meetings before you permit them to stay in the same room unleashed.
- Once you are confident that they have adapted to one another, allow them to roam freely in the house.
- Make sure you give each of them a lot of attention, especially the older pet, so that they do not become jealous of one another.
Of course, the younger the siblings are the easier it will be to teach them to get along. However, it is possible to introduce these two species when they are older, but it will take more time and more patience. Also keep in mind that cats will usually have a harder time accepting a new dog in their home, and so you will need to be prepared for a longer acclimation period. If you’ve followed the above introduction steps, but you are still having trouble, then engage the services of a professional trainer to help you with the process, and to let you know when and if it is safe to keep both pets in the same area.
