How to Help Your Dog and Cat Live in Harmony: A Happy Dog Expert Explains!

Despite what many cartoons tell us; dog and cat friendships are more common than you’d think! In many families, dogs and cats not only tolerate each other, but live amicably, enjoy each other’s company and form deep bonds.

In this article, we’ll provide tips on how to help your dog and cat get along from setting them up for success in adolescence, to positively introducing them to their new friend, to supporting them to coexist day-to-day.

Early Socialization

A key factor in helping cats and dogs to get along is ensuring they are well socialized. The socialization period is a sensitive and important time for your pets and the way they meet can have a particularly intense and lasting effect on their future behaviour. In kittens it begins at 2 weeks old and ends between 7 and 9 weeks. And the dog, or puppy, socialization period lasts from 21 days to 12 or 14 weeks, although there can be significant variation between breeds and individuals.

During this period, puppies that live with cats learn and perform the behaviours that society expects of them. They learn to display normal social behaviour towards people, other dogs and the species that they spend time with during this short period of time.

In other words, puppies that live with cats during their socialization period will consider them as members of their group (and the same will happen with kittens that live with dogs).

Why Cat and Dog Socialization Matters

• Dogs will naturally consider cats as another species, and may be afraid of them, or try to chase them since they are usually smaller than dogs.
• Cats will usually consider dogs to be predators and so tend to flee from them or try to remove them from their space using protective behaviours such as hissing and swiping.

So, the first tip for a happy multispecies coexistence is for proper cat and dog socialization.

Before The Introductions

Before the cat and dog are introduced, there are a few considerations to think about.

• Previous experiences—The first step is finding out about the dogs and cats previous experience with other species. If this is non-existent, or even traumatic, measures must be taken, especially if there is a large difference in size between the two pets.
• Preparing their designated spaces—Dogs and cats should have separate spaces in the house. This will ensure the safety of both and allow families to introduce them gradually.
  
  Each space must have the necessary resources for each species. In other words, in the cat’s area there should be several safe places to hide and places to climb, a litter tray, scratching posts, water, food and toys. All of these resources must be separated from each other. Similarly, the dog’s area must have its own resting area, food and water bowls, toys and elimination area if they are a puppy.
• Baby gates for dogs—It is recommended to put up a barrier that will allow the dog and cat to see each other without harming each other. Baby gates can work well. If the dog is a puppy, they may already be accustomed to the use of a playpen which could be helpful to make the gradual introduction to the cat.
• Wide mesh muzzles – If you are introducing an adult dog that is considerably larger than your cat, the best way to prevent the risks is for your dog to get used to wearing a muzzle.
  
  Generally, wide mesh muzzles are recommended, as they are comfortable for dogs to wear, allow them to eat and drink, as well as guaranteeing the safety of the cat. Habituation should be gradual and progressive, starting with an introduction to the muzzle itself (without wearing it), and then using easy-to-spread food in the inside of the muzzle and allowing them to lick the treat food.
  
  Slowly increasing the time, you hold the muzzle whilst they have their mouth and nose inside and then incorporating doing up the muzzle, helps for your dog to get used to wearing the muzzle without feeling uncomfortable.

ADAPTIL Calm

Plugging in calming pheromones—ADAPTIL Calm for your dog and FELIWAY Optimum for your cat—in the rooms they each spend the most time in can also make the environment more peaceful for both species.

How to Introduce Dogs and Cats

To help your pets live pleasantly together, it should all begin with a positive introduction. So, how should you introduce dogs and cats properly?

Ideally, during the first few days, both cats and dogs should get used to each other’s smell of the other without seeing each other. You can do this by placing bedding from each pet in the others’ space. This allows them to choose to explore the scent of the other in their own time.

Letting them wander around the other’s area (when the other pet is not there!) gives them opportunities to further discover their housemate. Once there are no signs of stress when encountering scents, you can move on to the next stages of growing their bond.

Steps for Physical Introductions

1. A barrier, like a baby gate, can be used when introducing cats and dogs to avoid any injuries—if the encounter does not go calmly. It can be helpful to have one person on each side of the barrier with the dog and cat at a distance. Each person can offer high value treats to the pets and then can gradually move closer, whilst checking for signs that neither the dog nor the cat is becoming uncomfortable.
2. Make short introductions over several days. If the animals show they are comfortable being near each other either side of the barrier you can move to the next step.
3. Remove the barrier. To begin with, have your dog on a lead so that they can be prevented from chasing your cat. You may also want to put a muzzle on your large dog, and it is important to ensure that your cat has an easy escape route.
4. If there are signs of fear and any protective or chasing behaviours, contact a veterinarian specialized in behavioural medicine, before continuing with the introductions.

For more tips on introducing your dog and cat, the ADAPTIL blog is a great resource!

Top Tips for Dog and Cat Friendship

Dogs and cats can become very good friends, but for this to happen, their ethological and physical needs must be properly met. Veterinary check-ups should not be neglected, so that any illness or pain points that can make either pet more irritable or less tolerant can be identified.

Keeping Your Pooch Happy

• Dogs should get enough daily exercise, take quality walks and opportunities to play with their humans.
• Giving your dog part of their food in interactive toys can provide additional mental stimulation.
• It is important for them to have a safe place where they can retreat to when they do not want to interact with the cat or humans.

Meeting Your Cat’s Needs

• Cats need to live in a three-dimensional space with options for climbing and elevated safe places to hide in order to avoid dogs or humans when they need to.
• Ideally cats’ food should also be fed in interactive toys and they should be given plenty of opportunities for play as an outlet for their prey drive.

The interaction of both species with humans should be regular, positive (in ways the pet appreciates) and predictable, always avoiding punishment.

Support and Advice from Ángela

I have had a multispecies family of two dogs and a cat for about 14 years. It has been a wonderful experience to see how they have bonded and shared their space and activities. However, as a veterinary behaviourist, I also know that not all relationships are straightforward. If you have any doubts, or if you see signs of stress or conflict between any of your pets, it is ideal to ask for professional help to help promote a more harmonious relationship.

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