littleladylou
Well-Known Member
We have a cavapoo (1yr) and a patterdale terrier (5yr). We have just rehomed a friends cat who is 4. They are currently introduced through babygaye seperating them. Any tips for the intro?
Introducing a new cat to dogs...tips
- Thread starter littleladylou
- Start date
FinnishLapphund
There's no cow on the ice
If you feel that the cat begins to feel comfortable in his/hers new home, then I would let it introduce itself, on its terms, depending on how your dogs are, by either letting the cat come into a room with first one of the dogs, and then switch to the other dog, or if both dogs are in the room, simply say to the dogs to stay where they are, and let the cat do what it wants to do.
Always try to make sure that the cat doesn't feel cornered. I would perhaps also give it some tasty treats while it can see the dogs, and the same with giving the dogs some treats while seeing the cat. Perhaps have a cat toy with catnip around to distract the cat, my cats thinks that the Yeowww! Stinkies Cat Nip Sardines is absolutely irresistible http://www.pawsandpurrsonline.co.uk/yeowww-stinkies-cat-nip-sardine-tin?oo=0 .
Always try to make sure that the cat doesn't feel cornered. I would perhaps also give it some tasty treats while it can see the dogs, and the same with giving the dogs some treats while seeing the cat. Perhaps have a cat toy with catnip around to distract the cat, my cats thinks that the Yeowww! Stinkies Cat Nip Sardines is absolutely irresistible http://www.pawsandpurrsonline.co.uk/yeowww-stinkies-cat-nip-sardine-tin?oo=0 .
Blanche
Well-Known Member
I have put dogs on long lines / indoor lines and let the cats/kittens out to check out the house while I was there to control the dogs . The cats can then learn where possible escape routes are . Dogs are praised and treated ONLY when completely relaxed and looking but not manicly focused on the cats . With older dogs not used to cats I always supervise access for the first couple of weeks . If the dogs are crate trained you could have them in their crates and let the cat check out the house in his own time .
littleladylou
Well-Known Member
Thanks guys. Great ideas. Luckily the cat is safely in the living room separated by a baby gate so they can all see each other but everyone is safe. I think two weeks like this with leads on introductions and crate then will go for leads off
Janah
Well-Known Member
I introduced two new kittens last year to my two labs, both of whom were used to having a cat. I lost my cat the previous year.
I was horrified when my older lab who had mothered the last cat was quite aggressive to them.
I started by having kittens in a large crate in the kitchen and dogs in their crate in the sitting room. They came out in alternative shifts, dogs more than kittens.
After a week or so I let them all out together for short periods and lengthened the time, but only under supervision. When I felt the time was right I left them to it, all went well.
They now all sleep together and the older dog is often groomed by the cats.
I was horrified when my older lab who had mothered the last cat was quite aggressive to them.
I started by having kittens in a large crate in the kitchen and dogs in their crate in the sitting room. They came out in alternative shifts, dogs more than kittens.
After a week or so I let them all out together for short periods and lengthened the time, but only under supervision. When I felt the time was right I left them to it, all went well.
They now all sleep together and the older dog is often groomed by the cats.