Q&A for How to Make Your Dog Like Your Cat

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  • Question
    Is it better to get a dog or a cat first?
    Jennifer Damon
    Professional Dog Trainer
    Jennifer Damon is a Professional Dog Trainer and the Owner of Love for Paws Dog Training in Richmond, VA. With over 10 years of experience training dogs, Jennifer specializes in determining the psychology that motivates dog behavior. As a supporting member of the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants, Jennifer is passionate about improving the communication between owners and their pets through gentle, scientifically-backed methods. She holds a BFA in Communication Arts from the University of Montevallo and a Certificate in Canine Behavior Consulting from The International College of Canine Studies.
    Professional Dog Trainer
    Expert Answer
    Your best bet is to raise them together rather than adding one or the other later in life.
  • Question
    How do I get my dog to stop attacking the cat?
    Jennifer Damon
    Professional Dog Trainer
    Jennifer Damon is a Professional Dog Trainer and the Owner of Love for Paws Dog Training in Richmond, VA. With over 10 years of experience training dogs, Jennifer specializes in determining the psychology that motivates dog behavior. As a supporting member of the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants, Jennifer is passionate about improving the communication between owners and their pets through gentle, scientifically-backed methods. She holds a BFA in Communication Arts from the University of Montevallo and a Certificate in Canine Behavior Consulting from The International College of Canine Studies.
    Professional Dog Trainer
    Expert Answer
    Intervene if your dog is chasing the cat around the house, but if you feel your dog is a serious threat to your cat, please separate them and contact a dog trainer or your veterinarian ASAP.
  • Question
    How do I get my dog to be nice to my cat?
    Jennifer Damon
    Professional Dog Trainer
    Jennifer Damon is a Professional Dog Trainer and the Owner of Love for Paws Dog Training in Richmond, VA. With over 10 years of experience training dogs, Jennifer specializes in determining the psychology that motivates dog behavior. As a supporting member of the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants, Jennifer is passionate about improving the communication between owners and their pets through gentle, scientifically-backed methods. She holds a BFA in Communication Arts from the University of Montevallo and a Certificate in Canine Behavior Consulting from The International College of Canine Studies.
    Professional Dog Trainer
    Expert Answer
    It’s important that your cat has a safe zone that the dog doesn’t have access to. Teach your dog basic cues that you can also use when he starts to focus on your cat.
  • Question
    How do you tell if a dog will be good with cats?
    Jennifer Damon
    Professional Dog Trainer
    Jennifer Damon is a Professional Dog Trainer and the Owner of Love for Paws Dog Training in Richmond, VA. With over 10 years of experience training dogs, Jennifer specializes in determining the psychology that motivates dog behavior. As a supporting member of the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants, Jennifer is passionate about improving the communication between owners and their pets through gentle, scientifically-backed methods. She holds a BFA in Communication Arts from the University of Montevallo and a Certificate in Canine Behavior Consulting from The International College of Canine Studies.
    Professional Dog Trainer
    Expert Answer
    You can't know for sure, as there are some dogs and cats which will never be friendly with each other. Try to know the animals' temperaments to evaluate the situation. Remember to give both animals some attention separately and plenty of exercise and games for mental stimulation. Bored pets like to create their own mischief.
  • Question
    Is it normal for them to play?
    Community Answer
    Yes. As long as they're playing and not fighting, that means they're getting along well.
  • Question
    I have a 2-year-old dog, and trying to introduce her to my new kitten and having problems. Any suggestions, or a trainer/professional to help the introduction because I'm scared?
    Community Answer
    Keep your new pet in a secure, closed room that your old pet doesn't normally use. Take two pieces of cloth and rub one over your cat and one over your dog. Take the dog cloth, put it with the cat, and vice versa. They will get used to each other's smell first. Do this for at least a week. Next, secure your dog in a room and let your cat wander about the house. The cat will leave its smell in the dog's territory. Do this for an hour every day for a week. When you feel that either animal isn't stressed about the other's presence, put a leash on your dog, let the cat out of its, room and supervise the interaction. Hope this helps. :)
  • Question
    My sister and I want to get a cat, but our parents don't want one because we already have a dog. Any tips to purrrsuade them?
    Community Answer
    (Nice pun.) First, work with your dog to get him accustomed to cats, so that your parents won't be as concerned about them not getting along. Second, assume more responsibility for your dog as a way of proving that you are ready to help with a second pet. Third, explain to your parents why you want the cat and who would be responsible for care of this new animal (be specific about which member of the family would do what).
  • Question
    I want to adopt an abandoned old cat, but we have two dogs that hate cats. What can I do?
    Community Answer
    You could bring the cat to your local pet store, veterinarian or shelter. In the meantime, you should keep it in a spare room with food and water, and keep it accompany every now and then.
  • Question
    I have a four-year-old miniature chihuahua and she rules the house. I want a kitten that is soon to be put down by his owner. What can I do?
    Community Answer
    Show the chihuahua who's boss and get that adorable little kitten that you want. Introduce the kitten to your dog slowly, while praising your dog for friendly behavior. Be sure to give equal attention to both pets so that your dog does not become jealous.
  • Question
    If I get a cat disguise and put it on the dog, will that work?
    Community Answer
    No. The dog will simply be stressed out because of the costume, and it won't do anything to fool the cat.
  • Question
    I already have four cats in my home but I got a 7 month old pug and she hates cats. She had never seen one before. She chases them. What should I do to keep the peace?
    Community Answer
    I would suggest keeping them separated and then little by little let them sniff each other until they acclimate to each other.
  • Question
    I have a 4-year-old dog who is very territorial. She really hates cats, but I just got a kitten and feel bad locking her up in a room. I tried the baby gate but she slipped through it. What do I do?
    Community Answer
    Have them get to know each other better and see how it goes. If not, try a place in the house where the kitten feels safe and secure and loves to play. Make sure you give both as much attention as possible. Give them their food after work, pet them a little, and then do the after work.
  • Question
    My dog is six years old. He hates cats. What can I do to teach him that cats are good?
    Community Answer
    Follow the steps in the article. It usually only takes time for a dog and cat to get along.
  • Question
    We are going to get a new puppy, and I don't know how my kitten will react. How do I make sure they don't fight?
    Mikaela
    Community Answer
    Keep them in separate rooms, but allow them to smell each other through the door if they are comfortable. Once they are fine with that, introduce them to each other slowly and calmly with the dog on a leash. Never force them to interact if they don't want to. Allow either animal to leave if they wish, and reward both of them for good behavior. If either of them starts showing aggression, separate them. Repeat this process daily until they are comfortable with each other. At this point you can have them together in the same room, but supervise them carefully.
  • Question
    A stray kitten followed me home so I fed it and now it hangs around the yard. I have 2 dogs and they growl and bark at the cat. How do I train my dogs to act calmly when they see her?
    Meika
    Community Answer
    Since they’re only a kitten, and the other dogs appear to be fully grown adults, it’s best to keep them separated. Dogs will always have their natural instincts, which might take over unexpectedly and cause your dogs to attack the kitten. Try keeping the kitten in a crate of some sort, and put the crate out of the dogs’ reach.
  • Question
    What do I do if my dog is marking things in my home after I've got a new kitten?
    Community Answer
    Read the article for steps to get them to become friends. Your dog probably feels the need to protect its 'territory' from the new 'intruder'. Eventually, they will get along, and your dog will stop spraying everything.
  • Question
    What do I do if my cat and dog don't like each other? How do I prevent them from hurting each other?
    Community Answer
    Put a baby gate in a small room, put the cat and dog and both sides, let them investigate each other, and when they seem nice enough to each other, put your dog on a leash and remove the gate. If they get along, problem solved! If not, take your dog on a walk and let your cat have the house to itself. Only do it 30 minutes every day, or else they will stress out. Make sure to remove high objects (tables, chairs etc.) to prevent the cat from climbing over the gate.
  • Question
    How do I know if my dog's breed is good with cats?
    Community Answer
    You could google "are [your dog's breed] good with cats" and see what you can find. But remember, it's all about the individual dog. Try introducing your dog to a neighbor or friend's cat (while on a leash) and see how it goes.
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