How to introduce cats and dogs. Can dogs and cats get along?

Ruh Roh, I have a cat at home and I’m bringing a puppy home shortly…Are there any big issues with dogs and cats living together? I want to know how to get dogs and cats to get along and if dogs and cats can truly become friends.

Why do dogs and cats fight in the first place?

You have probably heard old wives’ tales saying that cats hate dogs and dogs hate cats. Dogs and cats do have many behavioral and communication differences that can make it seem like they are natural sworn enemies, but that old wives’ tale is not accurate. Retaining some of their wild ancestors’ hunting instincts, dogs love chasing moving things, whether they are inanimate objects or living organisms, which includes cats. Dogs don’t chase cats because they hate cats. No, chasing fast moving objects are part of their natural instincts. In turn, cats’ instinctively flee when they see a dog. A wagging tail on a dog indicates playfulness while similar tail motions on a cat indicates irritation. Misinterpretation of these signals is bound to lead to undesirable interactions between cats and dogs.

How to get cats and dogs to get along, despite their differences…

It is not impossible to see dogs and cats as friends. If you know other pet parents who can get their cats and dogs to get along, you can do it too! Early socialization between pups and kitties helps them build trust in each other. If you never allow chances for your pup to chase your cat, then your pup will never even know that chasing cats is even allowed!

If your cat or dog is already all grown up and missed these stages of early socialization, that is okay! Teaching your dog basic obedience commands will definitely help with making cats feel more comfortable and controlling any introduction between your two pets. However, do note that certain large and aggressive dog breeds could injure cats without supervision so you should keep your dog on a leash and/or separate your dog and cat when you are unable to supervise their time together.

Still unsure of how to get dogs and cats to get along? Some helpful tips may be to:

• Introduce cats to dogs through a door at first. Keep the cat in a separate room so it is able to retreat if it isn’t comfortable.
• Once comfortable, open the door and allow the dog and cat to smell each other, but make sure they are supervised and your dog is on a leash. Slowly increase the amount of time they’re exposed to each other.
• Introduce younger animals to older animals, so whether you decide to introduce a dog and kitten or puppy and cat, your pup or kitty will gain valuable skills in respecting other animals.
• Teach basic dog training commands such as “sit” and “stay”. Believe it or not, those commands will go a long way in making your cat feel more at ease. If your dog sits when asked, reward him! If he instead comes at the cat, take a few steps away from the cat and try again. Keep moving away from the cat until your dog is able to sit and give you his attention.
• Keep large dog breeds with strong prey drives leashed or crated when you’re not around to prevent any accidents.It is advised that you use a hands-free type leash or attach your leash to your belt. You should also keep your treats for dog training nearby and continue to reward your dog until the cat moves away. If the cat sticks around, provide your dog with a high value dog chew toy and move just far enough away from the cat that your dog can focus on his chew toy and not the cat.
• Keep rewarding your doggo for making the right choice, AKA focusing his attention on you when he sees a cat, even if you step in to help your dog. He’s learning! And you will eventually see your dog and cat together, as friends, without your doggo having to be on leash. Just keep it up with the positive reinforcement!
• Patience, patience, and did I mention, patience?

So, can dogs and cats get along? The answer is yes, they are perfectly capable of getting along…

You may have thought for the longest time that dogs and cats as friends could never happen? Wrong. Dogs and cats living together would undoubtedly cause your house to be an endless battlefield? Wrong again. Forget the age old dogs vs cats battle. Now you know it’s possible to have both dogs and cats together in your household and still have a happy family. You just need to know about their differences and be sure to follow these tips. Above all, remember to be patient! Dogs and cats and every other pet, are amazing and unique in their own way!

Want to learn more about dog training, dog behavior and dog nutrition?

Check out Pawsitive app to actually put theory into practice and start applying all this knowledge. The Pawsitive app helps dog parents raise happy, healthy dogs by providing community and professional support. We connect you to other dog parents and professionals. We are building a supportive dog parent community and we are better than dog social media! Stay accountable for completing wellness milestones with your dog and other dog parents, dog moms, and dog dads.