Are you looking to adopt a dog but already have a beloved cat, or vice versa? This dog-cat introduction protocol is here to guide you!
Here's what you should know:
If you want to ensure optimal cohabitation between your animals, it's important to remember that cats and dogs are different species and do not function or communicate in the same way.
Cats are territorial, opportunistic, and creatures of habit.
Dogs are social, opportunistic, and creatures of repetition.
However, just because an animal is social doesn't mean it's necessarily sociable, and a non-social animal can still be sociable! Therefore, this protocol aims to respect the nature and mode of functioning of your cat (regardless of its age) and teach your dog that it's more beneficial to approach the cat calmly and not chase it.
Please note: If your cat is afraid of dogs due to known traumatic episodes, or if your dog is afraid of cats due to traumatic episodes and becomes panicked or aggressive, please seek the help of a canine & feline behaviorist. This protocol cannot help in cases of proven fear or high predation!
Tools required:
- A fixed leash of 2 meters and a children's gate.
- A closed room in which the cat feels comfortable, containing all of its resources (litter box, food, water, sleeping areas, windows, and observation spaces).
- Very appetizing food for both the cat and your dog (sardines, tuna, mackerel, cooked ham, cooked chicken, cheese, poultry liver pâté of the Tubidog type...) Duration of the protocol: 2-3 weeks on average.
Before starting:
Between the supervised meetings that will take place between your dog and your cat, it's essential that the cat be in a closed room with a solid door through which the dog cannot see. Note that you don't want any visual or physical contact without supervision at this stage.
The more tired your dog is, the less reactive it will be! So take a long walk (or a big mental stimulation session) before each step!!! Learn your cat's body language: Learn a dog's body language: https://youtu.be/2T7b4rAV2dM
Step 1:
Olfactory introduction; When? As soon as your cat starts to take an interest in what's happening outside the room where it's located.
Objective? Days 1-3: Introduce the scent of the other animal to your dog and cat. There's no need to stay in the room, just leave the object or objects and go about your business.
Days 3-7: Associate this smell with something super pleasant for both animals.
Days 1-3: - Leave an object or textile with your dog's scent in the cat's room once a day. - Do the same with a cat object (such as a litter box) with your dog.
Days 3-7: - Do the same as before, but ADD a super reward or meal for your animal next to it (so choose mealtime). Note: During Step 1, make sure to separate the animals again between exercises, each in their own space and out of sight/reach of the other.
Step 2:
Visual introduction: Objective? Associate physical presence with something pleasant.
Days 1 to 3:
- Install your baby gate in a hallway close to the room where the cat(s) will be introduced (introduce one cat at a time if you have multiple).
- Your dog will be on the other side of the gate.
- Keep your dog on a leash so that there is no physical contact.
- Give your cat a treat each time they are in front of your dog.
- Do the same for your dog while keeping them as far away from the gate as possible.
Attention! If your dog, who is normally food motivated, refuses to eat, then you are too close to the gate.
Days 3 to 7:
- Install your baby gate in a hallway close to the room where the cat(s) will be introduced (introduce one cat at a time if you have multiple).
- Your dog will be on the other side of the gate.
Keep your dog on a leash so that there is no physical contact.
- Put your cat's meal in front of them when they are in front of your dog.
- Do the same for your dog while keeping them as far away from the gate as possible.
Attention ! If your dog, who is normally food motivated, refuses to eat, then you are too close to the gate. If everyone is comfortable, move the food bowls closer to each other at each meal.
- Pay close attention to your dog's behavior! If they become agitated (barking, whining, pacing on the floor) or freeze in place with their head down and eyes fixed on the cat, and then move forward in a crouching position towards the cat, stop the introduction.
Step 3:
Physical introduction (without gate): When? When you have successfully completed step 2, which means that your dog is calm in front of the cat and can sniff/observe them through the gate without any signs of agitation or pursuit (same for your cat), it will be time to move on to the introduction without a barrier.
Objective? Teach your dog to approach calmly. Let your cat know that they can still escape without being chased, that they are safe.
Days 1 to 3:
- Keep your dog on a leash so that you can end the introduction quickly and easily.
- Make sure the cat has options to get out of the dog's reach if they want to (furniture or shelves to climb on, window sill out of the dog's reach, etc.)
- Reward your dog each time they lose interest in the cat.
- Reward your cat each time they lose interest in the dog.
- When you bring your dog into the room, observe their behavior. If you notice any behavior that could scare or hurt the cat (barking, pawing, etc.), hold the dog back with the leash and reward them as soon as they calm down.
- Repeat until the dog is calm in the presence of the cat.
- Refer to the columns of the following table to know what to do based on your dog's behavior.
Once the dog is able to be calm in the presence of the cat without a barrier separating them, it will be time to offer them moments where both are free but under constant supervision. At this stage, if everything goes well, you can let the animals have free access to all the space in your home, but if you're not there to supervise, make sure the cat and dog are separated by your baby gate at least (2 gates if your dog jumps high!). Article from Urban Pet.
