How To Safely Bring a Cat Home when You Have Dogs

At cuteavalance.com nothing gives us more joy than seeing a kitten settled in a loving home. But the adoption process is not so quick and short. We have a review process and home inspection for prospective pet parents. We try to make sure the home is safe for the new member of the family.

A common hurdle for many prospects is the existence of another pet at home. Many are concerned about bringing a cat home when they have dogs. 

If that is stopping you, read on and learn how to do it.

Your concerns are valid

For starters, if you have seen the delicate kitties in any of our videos, your concerns are real. Many experts, including the American Kennel Club, have called the “hate relationship” between dogs and cats a myth. However, it is hard to call it a myth, especially after you have witnessed a confrontation.

The truth is, dogs can kill a cat. Even if they are playing. Dogs that have a high predatory drive should not be left at home alone with a cat. 

If you have dogs and would like to bring a cat home, you have a tough (but not impossible) task ahead. These steps will help you along the journey. 

Have realistic expectations

Do not expect that your dog and cat will strike a Romeo and Juliet relationship immediately. It will not happen even a few days down the line. 

Both could be young and still learning about the world. But avoid having unrealistic expectations. 

Go slow, and be patient with both animals. 

Setting up 

Your home has been the dog’s exclusive territory until you decided you would want to bring a cat home. The dog, even if he is friendly, could perceive the new pet as a threat. 

To avoid an early confrontation, set up a call or an online meeting with your vet to make sure you have all the available information to make the greeting go as smoothly as possible. 

You should also set up a safe area for the cat, just like your dog will have his own calming bed to retreat to. The room should have everything the cat would need to be comfortable. It should have the basics such as a litter box, soft beddings, and feeding bowls. Also, throw in items that will keep the kitty busy.

Prepare the dog

As you set up the new home for the kitty, start preparing the dog for the change. If he is not well-versed with simple instructions like “sit,” or “stay,” give him a refresher. 

Also, start teaching your pooch that the new room is a no-go zone. At least not yet. 

Stock up on snacks and reward him every time he performs well. The treats will be crucial when the kitty arrives. 

Bringing the cat home

When everything is ready, bring the cat home. For at least three days, keep the door to her safe room closed. 

Do not worry; the dogs will know that someone new (who is different) has arrived. They can smell the kitty and hear her movements. 

Go slow. Let both animals get used to the idea of having a new family member. Also, observe how the dog behaves and reward him when he performs well. 

Getting them acquainted

To get them acquainted, start by exchanging items like beddings and toys. Let them familiarize themselves with each other’s scents. 

After about two to three days, you can start synchronized feeding on opposite sides of the door. 

By now, they should be familiar with each other. Chances are, they would not be offended. But remember to take it slow. If any (especially kitty) is not comfortable yet, don’t push it. 

Keep at it until they can comfortably eat while at the opposite side. Occasionally, you can swap the feeding bowls. 

Getting them acquainted this way helps them to associate each other with something good – food. But do not let them come into contact yet. 

The visual introductions

After a few days of eating side by side, sharing toys, and other stuff, you can plan for visual introductions. 

Let the kitty out of the safe room for short periods (about 15 to 20 minutes). She might be shy, but encourage her with treats and assure her by being there. Eventually, she will be comfortable roaming around. 

During this time, the dog should be on a leash, restrained in a separate room, or outside the house. If the dog is on a leash and close to the cat, remember to reward him for excellent behavior. 

Keep expanding the period as the days go by. 

Transition to no barriers

When both cat and dog(s) are comfortable with being near each other, you can consider transitioning to no-barrier meetings. 

Now the animals have full access to each other. Closely supervise the interactions. Also, ensure that the cat has enough escape options. A cat tree is excellent to get high up and away from the dog whenever she feels uncomfortable. 

As the animals learn to live with each other, do not forget to reward good behavior. They will eventually learn to hang out together. But it takes patience and consistency. 

A concluding remark – do not be shy to seek help

We appreciate that things will not always go smoothly as the steps above describe. If that is the case, reach out to a professional trainer. Kittens are particularly delicate. We recommend avoiding contact with dogs until they are well-developed. 

Remember, conflicts between animals can be fatal. But with patience and consistency, you can nurture a loving relationship between your dogs and a kitty.