Bringing a new dog home is exciting, but it can also be a big adjustment for both your new dog and any cats already living in your home. To help set everyone up for a successful transition from shelter to home, we recommend following this slow introduction method. Taking things slowly can decrease stress, prevent conflicts and help your pets build a healthy, happy relationship.
Designate a separate, quiet room for the new dog to settle in. This room should have a crate with a blanket and serve as a safe space away from the resident cats so the new dog can decompress for the first few days.
Keep the dog and cat completely separated at first; they should not meet face to face for at least two days. Rotate which animal is confined so that each animal gets time out to investigate each other’s scent. If the dog is relaxed and not intensely focused on the location where the cat is, you can move on to leashed introductions.
If the dog is staring at the door, try to get their attention and guide them away from the door, then give a treat. Repeat this until the dog is no longer staring and can ignore the door.
If the dog is obsessively digging or barking at the door where the cat is for two days, you may need a professional trainer or behaviorist who can help with doing the introductions in your home.
Keep the dog securely leashed and under the physical control of an adult who can safely maintain control of the dog throughout the entire introduction. Allow the cat to have free roam and choose to interact or escape as they see fit. Offer treats to the dog when they are relaxed or choose to look at you instead of the cat. Continue with this kind of introduction until both animals appear relaxed and can ignore each other.
If there is any sign of aggression from either animal, go back to closed door introductions and feed the animals on opposite sides of the door.
For at least a week after the leashed introduction, you should keep a leash on the dog so that you can separate the dog and cat if needed. You’ll want to supervise interactions for at least a month, observing how they interact in a variety of situations.
When you are unable to supervise them, the dog and cat should be separated by a closed-door barrier.
• Hair on back standing up
• Stiff posture
• Long hard staring
• Unable to get attention away from the cat
• Tail tense and upright
• Holding their head low, “stalking”
• Stiff posture
• Wide eyes
• Ears turned to the side
• Turning their head away
• Staring
• Short bursts of self-grooming
• Sitting with all limbs tucked close to their body
• Growling
• Hissing