Cats and Dogs can be Friends

If you have the DOG FIRST

1.  The breed of dog is key, some breeds are notorious for being mean to cats, chasing or even killing them.  The most common breed associated with this is Huskies.  This is not to say that a Husky and cat cannot get along together well, just that they have a known history of not doing so good together.  Another tough mix is any of the "Sight-Hounds", dogs that were bred to chase anything that moved and was small, the Grey Hound is one such dog breed.  Herding breeds may consider the cat as an object of attention to herd.  Finally Terriers are a bit of a concern, often bred to hunt and kill vermin, they are active dogs who may torment a new kitty.

2.  Make sure your dog knows the commands "LEAVE IT", "DROP IT" and "NO".  If your dog is not familiar with these commands, it is time to begin training him or her to be responsive to them.

3.  If possible select a cat who has been around dogs and is comfortable with them.  A cat who hisses or runs will make itself into a target, a toy, something fun to play with.  You can often find cats, or kittens, from the animal shelter who were raised with dogs.  If you are getting a cat from a shelter, they may know its history, or you can ask them to see how it reacts to a quiet dog. 

4.  Allow the cat to explore the house and become comfortable with it before meeting the dog.  Cats should not be given full access to your house when new anyhow, but are better off confined to a small room where the litter box is to be, at least at night.  So, let the cat look around on its own, then confine it to the room when it is the dogs turn to come inside.  They will know each other is there, and can sniff paws under the door.  Continue to let the cat out to explore the home when the dog is not around, then when the cat is somewhat relaxed in its new home - you can allow them to meet.  Have the dog on a leash so it is fully under your control.  Reward the dog with soft treats to keep its attention on you, and to show that if it ignores the kitty, it is earning treats. 

5.  While keeping them seperate, you can switch their blankets and put their blanket under the other animals food bowl.  This will not make them think the other animal is food, but will let them associate the other pet with happy feelings. 

If you have the CAT FIRST

1.  Dog breed selection is important.  As I mentioned in #1 above, some breeds are not very safe with cats, such breeds are Huskies, any of the "Sight Hounds" and some Terriers.  The "Soft Mouthed" breeds are generally more patient and gentle as well any of the lower intelligence breeds, such as Shih Tzus, tend to do well with cats.  Herding breeds like Border Collies will probably see your cat as something to "work", and unless otherwise stimulated are not good choices. 

2.  Puppies are playful and silly, and will see a cat as a toy.  If you want a puppy, you must be watchful and not allow this, because if you do, it will get worse.  As such you may be better off to select an older more settled puppy or adult dog, ideally one who has been around cats before and is known to be good.  If you are getting a dog from a shelter, they may have its history, or you can ask them to see how it reacts to a cat. 

3.  The cat was there first, when you bring a new dog into the home either have it on a leash, or in a kennel.  Allow the cat to sniff it and establish some dominance.  It is rare that a cat acts agressive towards a dog except to establish a boundry.   If you find your cat torments the new dog to no end, you can spray the cat with a squirt water bottle, but often it is the dog who must be kept in check.

4.  Put the cats blanket under the dogs food bowl, and do the same with a blanket the dog has used.  This will allow them both to smell the other while thinking good thoughts.  They will not think the other is food, but it gets them used to each others scent in a positive way.

5.  Reward them both for being good, offering soft treat rewards is the best way of teaching a new pet it is being correct. 

EITHER WAY

1.  Cats need to eat cat food - dogs need to eat dog food.  If they get a nibble of the others food now and again it will not hurt them, but they need to eat their own proper diets, so you must be able to feed them seperately.  Dogs should have uneaten food removed half hour after feeding, however, cats need access to their dry food all the time - so the best thing is to feed the cat some place it can jump to, but the dog cannot reach.

2.  Do not leave the animals loose in your house until you are confident there are no chances for problems.  A dog will not usually kill a cat, but it does happen.  Most often they just hassle the cat enough to keep it angry, and this is totally unfair to the pet.

3.  Do not encourage either one to chase or torment the other.  These are pets for you to love, not to use for your own personal entertainment. 

4.  Finally pets tend to benefit from the company of another pet, that pet does not have to be the same species, hopefully you can follow these tips and have a happy household of many fur babies. 

This cat and dog pair are from Wikimedia commons.