Introduction: Dogs and cats are supposedly life-long enemies. Hence the phrase, "fighting like cats and dogs." Many pet owners that have owned both cats and dogs find the phrase and the premise to be far more inaccurate than accurate. Of course, there are those dogs that will simply chase every cat they see and those cats that will never tolerate a dog. However, if handled properly, the vast majority of dogs and cats can live together. They may not learn to love each other; but they certainly can learn to tolerate each other’s presence. Dogs and cats that are raised with each other typically do fine their entire lives. They may actually accept an animal of another species more easily than one of their own and there are often fewer fights over dominance and territory.
There are some dogs that should not be kept with cats. Dogs with a strong hunting heritage may always view cats as prey and may never be able to be trusted with any small animals. In addition to hunting dogs, terriers such as Parson Russells and pit-bulls are often poor companions for cats. These dogs have an incredibly strong predatory instinct; they chase and attack moving objects without thinking about whom or what the object may be. Cats and other small pets provide just too much of a temptation for many of these dogs.
Other dogs respond less to the animal than the situation and will leave alone a cat that sits still, but chase and attack one that moves. This is especially true of dogs that are kept outside. There is something about being out of the house that really pushes the hunting instinct into overdrive and will often result in even the most docile indoor dog attempting to chase cats once outside. So, one would not want to make the assumption that a cat and dog who tolerate each other indoors will do the same outside. The dog may decide to attack the cat. Additionally, a cat that stands its ground indoors may run away from a dog when outside. The fleeing cats looks like a prey animal to the dog and again triggers the instinct to chase and catch it.
Finally, dogs that have a history of attacking cats are likely to do so again and should not be trusted with cats. When planning on rescuing a previously-owned dog, it is a good idea to get a history of the dog’s attitudes and behaviors around cats before bringing it into a house with cats. Many shelters will allow you to ‘test’ the dog by introducing it to a cat before completing the adoption.
Most cats, if they have had positive experiences with dogs, will tolerate canines in the house. Those that will not, typically have had some prior negative interaction that is firmly embedded in their memories. Because most cats, even those that hate dogs, do not attack without provocation, these cats may be able to live with a dog. However, they probably will never bond with the dog, will avoid the dog at all costs, and will be pretty miserable. It is kinder to leave these cats in a feline-only household. Again, it is often possible to find out the history of a cat before adopting it, or to test the cat’s reactions to dogs in an adoption situation.
Some cats are actually too aggressive to live with a dog. These cats will actually attack without provocation and can harm a house dog. Cat claws and teeth are potent weapons that cannot be ignored if the cat is stalking the dog. Additionally, since cats and dogs are often face to face during a hostile interaction, the dog’s eyes may get scratched. The resultant corneal scratches or perforations can be difficult to treat. Even the smallest cat can cause significant damage to a large dog’s face, if the cat is aggressive enough. Do not make the mistake of believing that the little cat cannot harm the dog. It is wiser to avoid keeping these animals in the same household.
So which cats and dogs can get along? The answer is just about all of the rest of them. In the best of circumstances, cats and dogs really become friends, playing and sleeping together. In other situations, cats and dogs may never be overly friendly, but they can learn to tolerate each other and behave themselves with other members of the family, including those of other species. As long as the owner is willing to work out a positive introduction and protect the animals from physical harm, these species usually get along. The process may take up to six or eight weeks, or even longer, but can be successfully accomplished.
Introducing Dogs and Cats: When bringing a cat into a dog household, or vice-versa, there are steps that can be taken to ensure the success of the relationship. First, because a dog can kill a cat, safety is the first concern. The dog needs to be able to be kept separated from the cat. This can be accomplished with a crate or a separate room. The dog should have a refresher obedience course, so that it will sit, stay, and come when told, and leave the cat alone if ordered to. The dog needs to remember that the people, not the dog, rule the house. In addition, the cat needs to have a safe haven. This means that the cat’s food and litter boxes need to be inaccessible to the dog, and that the cat has places to run and hide. For example, leave a few bookcase shelves empty so the cat can climb to them, put a cat door into a closed bedroom, or use baby gates to separate the dog from the cat’s own room.
The following are some specific suggestions that may help:
The initial meeting and first few weeks are critical times to set the tone for the future, so it is important to make all introductions go as smoothly as possible. The key is to remember that these animals will be together for a lifetime; there is no reason to rush their meetings. If bringing a cat into the house, provide the cat with its own bedroom for the first few weeks or longer. The litter box and food should be placed in this room. The dog in the house can smell the cat under the door, but has no real need to meet the new member of the family until the cat is comfortable and bored with its personal space. If this is a young kitten, they may end up living in this room for several more weeks. Once the cat is doing well in its own room, let the cat explore the house, undisturbed by the dog. It is often helpful to put the dog in the cat’s room while the cat is out, so that the dog really gets to experience the cat’s scent without bothering the cat. Swapping toys, towels, or other items between the two pets can also get the pets used to each other’s scents.
The initial face to face meeting should be done after the new cat is familiar with the entire house. Make sure that the dog is on a leash and under control. Have another person near the cat to provide help, if needed. Keep the meeting short and positive. Praise the dog for being wonderful around the cat. Use food rewards if appropriate and make sure that the dog understands that good things happen when the cat is present. After a few short positive meetings, it is time to let the cat explore for longer periods, with the dog present and on the leash. If this step proceeds calmly, let the dog off the leash and watch the interactions. Make sure to always be present to stop any problems before they can accelerate. Do not allow the dog to be aggressive in any way to the cat, and lavishly praise the dog for good behavior. Be certain that the cat has access to hiding places. If aggression occurs at any stage of the introductions, return to the previous stage and slow down. Even if all looks great, do not leave the cat alone with the dog until it is certain that everything is running smoothly. This means that if they cannot be supervised, the cat should be left in its bedroom or the dog kept crated.
Bringing a dog into a cat household is relatively easy. The dog should be kept on a leash for the initial introductions and never left unsupervised. Make sure that all animals are praised for their good behavior when they are together. As previously discussed, the dog can be crated or the cat left in a bedroom when they cannot be watched. Since the cat is already familiar with its territory and the dog is a newcomer, the dynamics of the relationship often turn in the cat’s favor, making the transition relatively easy.
Puppies and kittens do present unique challenges. Kittens must be protected from dogs at all times simply because any dog is big enough to badly hurt or kill a young kitten. A kitten must always be closely supervised even around the best behaved dogs. Provide the kitten with appropriate toys of its own. Do not let the kitten ‘play attack’ the dog or chase it. This can rapidly escalate into a dangerous situation. For the same reason, do not let the dog ‘play’ with the kitten. For approximately six months, the kitten must be kept in a safe room when an adult owner is not home.
Rambunctious puppies may also be a problem. Without meaning to, an energetic puppy can harm a kitten or even an adult cat. It is up to the owner to make sure that their interactions are monitored so that no one gets hurt. It is also very important to exercise and play with the puppy routinely. A cat is not a puppy toy. Make sure the puppy has its own toys and uses them. A tired puppy is less likely to bother the cat and less likely to be a behavior problem in the house. Early obedience training, plenty of exercise, and positive reinforcement will help a puppy behave properly around a cat.
It takes work, patience, and time to introduce cats and dogs to each other. However, the positive outcome is well worth the work. Many cats and dogs play, eat, relax, and sleep together and many owners get tremendous pleasure watching them.