First, decide whether it would be advisable and safe for your family to include both a dog and a cat. Although dogs and cats can coexist peacefully and even become friends, some specific dogs may not get along with cats.
It’s crucial that you carefully manage the introduction to your family and that your new cat, kitten, and dog are always under your supervision until you are certain that everyone is at ease and secure. It is a special and exciting time when a new feline member joins the family, but it can also be a little overwhelming for everyone involved. However, this can be controlled with preparation, ensuring that everyone is secure and under as little stress as possible.
Certain cats will fit in with a family’s other pets better than others. If you already have elderly animals, you might want to adopt a calm adult cat that gets along well with dogs because older cats tend to be less active than young kittens. Because the cat or kitten will have undergone temperament testing and the staff will be able to give you an idea of how the cat may react to other animals, think about adopting your cat or kitten from an RSPCA shelter. This will enable you to locate a cat or kitten that will get along better with your dog. Each year, the RSPCA shelters thousands of animals in need of loving homes.
Once you’ve chosen a cat, you’ll need to consider the best way to introduce it to your other pets so that everything goes smoothly. It’s crucial that you have patience and are ready for the introduction to take place over the course of at least a week, if not a few weeks, as this could be a stressful time for both animals.
Spend some time getting your house and current pets ready for your new cat or kitten before bringing them home. Make sure there are plenty of high resting places so your new cat or kitten can easily and safely retreat from your dog if they want to. This is particularly important. Additionally, you should ensure that your new cat has a dog-free, private space with everything it needs inside (food, water, a litter box, a bed, a hiding spot, elevated platforms, etc.). ). This lessens stress and helps prevent issues where your cat is afraid to eat, drink, or use the litter box.
Ideally your dog should be crate trained. There are numerous advantages to doing this, but in this instance it will make introductions simpler and safer.
How to Adopt a Dog if You Already Have a Cat
Never introduce two animals carelessly, especially when it comes to dogs and cats. Cat owners should have a plan of action in place before making this decision so that they can introduce the animals and keep them together for an unforeseen period of time.
Cats are very different from dogs. Your cat will start to feel threatened if another animal moves in to join the family once she feels at home and views your home as her own.
You must have a clear strategy in place before bringing your new dog home. There are specific things you can do to make the transition easier for both animals, whether they are a puppy or an adult dog.
Separate them at first. Each animal should have their own space in the beginning. Your pets need their own secure space at first, but before long they’ll be sharing a dog bed or your couch.
Every animal must experience being a beloved member of the family. When you adopt a young puppy who will naturally entertain you more, try to treat them equally and avoid neglecting your cat.
Dont punish your pets. Keep in mind that you shouldn’t punish your animals for getting along when attempting to adopt a dog if you already own a cat. That may give them the impression that while the other animal is a part of the family, they are not.
Instead, reward the positive behavior when the two animals get along, and eventually, your house pets will understand that you are happy with them both when they are nice to each other. It functions in a similar manner to other dog training methods.
When bringing a dog into a home where there is already a cat, keep the following in mind:
It’s very helpful to have a basic understanding of both of these animals’ psychology and the fundamentals of pet training before you move forward with training your cat and dog to get along. When introducing your dog to a cat, you want to be in control of him, so this is especially true of dog training methods. Here are some great articles that youll find helpful:
There is no one dog breed that is ideal for cat companionship and vice versa.
Kelly DiCicco, manager of adoptions promotions at the ASPCA Adoption Center, stated that “all animals, even those within a specific breed, have individual personalities and dispositions.”
Each pet is unique and might respond to a new animal in a particular way. Getting a new dog might not be the best choice, for instance, if your resident cat has a tendency to be extremely timid or easily stressed, according to DiCicco.
If an adopter has any pets at home, they should think about those animals and the kinds of playmates they enjoy having before adopting. In order to get a sense of how your current pet might behave around a new companion, see if any of your friends or family members have a dog- or cat-friendly pet and arrange a trial visit, she advised Insider.
It can be easier to focus on what you should look for in a new pet once you understand that animal’s comfort level and preferences for playmates, she continued.
If the dog is fixated on the cat or the door separating the cat, use treats, a cheerful voice, or a leash to gently nudge the dog away from the object of his attention. Try giving the dog a treat once it is separated from the cat. If he takes it, do it again until he loses interest in the cat or door.
It’s crucial to consider their first meeting whether you already have a dog and want to get a cat or the opposite. You are probably setting both animals up to fail when you introduce a stray cat and an off-leash dog in an open space. Instead, plan ahead and take your time.
FAQ
Can I get a puppy if I already have a cat?
It’s a misconception that dogs and cats cannot live together. However, integrating a puppy into a home with a cat (or cats) requires preparation and perseverance to ensure a smooth transition for all parties. The introduction should be done slowly, in a step-wise fashion.
Will my cat be mad if I get a dog?
Cats, in particular, can be extremely territorial. For most cats, bringing a new puppy home is a stressful experience. Your cat may act uncharacteristically out of fear and jealousy.
Will my cat run away if I get a new dog?
Your cat, however, flees in fright when she sees the new puppy. Because many dogs are larger than cats and frequently chase or attempt to play with them, even if only out of curiosity and not out of aggression, most cats tend to be afraid of dogs.
Is it better to get a cat or a dog first?
In the broadest sense, however, the best approach would be to adopt a kitten who has grown up in a home with friendly or indifferent dogs around, followed by a middle-aged, well-behaved dog who shows little interest in cats.