How To Teach Your Dog and Cat To Get Along
- September 15, 2009
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Benjamin Katz
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Contributor
Catherine_Holm
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Director
Benjamin Katz
- Girl Jessica Katz
- Dog Rocky the chiweenie
- Cat Hunter
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Writer
Catherine_Holm
The best time to teach a dog and cat to get along is when one or both are being introduced into the family for the first time.
You Will Need
- A dog and cat
- A crate for each animal
- Dog and cat treats
- Dog and cat toys
Step 1: Evaluate the situation
Some dogs are more likely than others to harm cats. Learn what you can about a dog’s personality before bringing one home. If you already have a dog, evaluate their temperament before introducing a cat.
To help the animal who’s been with you longer adjust, avoid giving the new animal the run of the house right away.
Step 2: Supervise the introduction
Supervise the introduction with one or both animals crated. Let each one smell an item belonging to the other.
If you’re introducing a puppy to your cat, hold the puppy and let the cat smell it. Do not hold the cat.
Step 3: Provide treats and toys
Provide treats and toys so the animals associate this together time with a pleasant experience.
Step 4: Limit supervised visits
End the visit if things get too rough. Say “No,” and separate the animals.
Step 5: Feed cat out of reach of dog
Feed your cat out of reach of the dog so the dog won’t eat the cat’s food.
Step 6: Extend supervised visits
Increase the length of supervised visits as your pets make progress. Continue rewarding them with treats and play. If all goes well, you can expect to reach your goal within 3-4 weeks.
Step 7: Congratulate yourself
Enjoy your one big happy family. You’ve laid the foundation for your pets to be lifelong friends.
Cats need more protein in their diets than dogs do.
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Comments (7)
The dog's big eyes make him look so desperate for the cat to like him. The cat is so serious! They played great characters. I'm glad they made friends in the end!
over 2 years ago by HeatherM
Hey....I didn't realize this was your follow-up to Blade of Grass...nice work, again!
over 2 years ago by HeatherMenicucci
Cute little mutt and great cat.
over 2 years ago by shandyw
excellent tips!
xoxo the beavers
over 2 years ago by beavertalk
Love this video! That poor cat...what a good sport! :)
over 2 years ago by MegT
haha I love how the cat is bigger than the dog
about 1 year ago by Drivemysoul
What do you do when the cat is the one being aggressive and the dog is scared? Despite my mum's dog being practically as big as me, my weeny little 6 month old kitten scared the life out of her! I tried having the cat in a carrier, then holding the cat and stroking him with the dog on her lead and my cat just kept hissing at the dog and she kept running away! Maybe my pep talks with my cat about how he shouldn't act like a dog (which he does :S) because he's better than them really did rub off on him LOL! The dog is really friendly and so is my cat normally (he climbs all over complete strangers) and because he acts like a dog, I thought there wouldn't be a problem, or maybe that he would be scared of the huge size of the dog... not the other way around. I could just imagine kitty pouncing on the dog's back and gnawing at her neck LOL! What I'd really like to know though, is how to get my cat to get on with my squirrel! My squirrel follows him and acts like he really wants to be friends LOL. But my cat is somewhat disinterested in him, and appeared to have some sibling rivalry because the cat likes having all my attention of him (climbs all over me when I'm on