Introducing cats and dogs

Step 1: Choose a good location for the first meeting
  • Resident cat to new dog:  Your home
  • Resident dog to new cat:  Don't bring your dog to the shelter (stresses out cats, isn't a good environment to test in). Ask the shelter or rescue's adoption counselors if they have any dog-savvy, confident cats they will allow to meet your dog under controlled conditions. An alternative would be to have your dog meet a dog-savvy cat who belongs to a friend or relative. As a last resort, you can bring your new kitty home and do an introduction at home.

Step 2: Separate the animals
  • Over a few days, rotate who has freedom/who's confined, allowing each plenty of time to investigate the other's scent.
  • If the dog obsessively digs at the separation barrier or barks at the cat for more than a day or two, the interaction likely won’t work without proper training. You may need the help of a professional.
  • When no one is home, the dog or cat must always be securely confined so unsupervised interactions are not possible.
  • Once the dog is calm (or at least not obsessed with the cat) and the cat is calm, eating and using the litter box normally, you can proceed to the next step.



Step 3: Make leashed introductions
  • Allow both animals to be in the same room at the same time, but keep the dog securely leashed.
  • Continue with this type of introduction until the dog is calm and ignores the cat, and the cat is calm, eating and using the litter box normally.
  • If there is any fear or aggression displayed on either animal’s part, stay at step 2 longer.
  • Continue indefinitely until both the dog and cat seem happy and relaxed around each other.
  • When no one is home, the dog or cat should be securely confined to separate areas so unsupervised interactions are not possible.



Step 4: Allow unsupervised interactions
  • Unsupervised time together can occur after the cat and dog have been supervised around each other for a significant period of time (a month or so) and you are positive they will not hurt each other.
Warning Signs
  • Dog remains overly focused, ignores you, lunges when cat moves...try a different dog. 
  • Lunging toward, growling, snapping at or showing any aggression (PDF) toward a calm, quiet, still cat (or visa versa with the dog)...call a professional to help.
  • Your cat is not adjusting, stops eating, drinking, using the litter box regularly...consider a different type of dog or call a professional to help. 

Training Tip
If the dog stares at the cat or the door separating the cat, try to distract him and get him to look away with treats, a happy voice or by gently guiding the dog away on a leash. 

Once the dog is away from the cat, try offering a treat. If he takes it, repeat this process until he is no longer focused on the cat or door.