When you first introduce your dog and cat for the first time, more than likely the cat will be the first to run away out of fear. The cat may perceive your dog as a threat. In very few circumstances though, it may be your dog that retreats if you have a small breed dog or a poorly socialized dog. Small dogs that may have had a previous encounter with a cat that went badly will cause him or her to runaway and be fearful of the cat. There are various results in how a dog will behave with the new cat at first introduction. You may need to get some dog accessories to help tame the situation. For some dogs, they may get in a predator-prey kind of mindset, meaning they see the cat as prey. Then you may have a dog that will take a less aggressive approach and just be curious about the cat.
This is tricky though, because this curiosity can either be playful or can turn aggressive depending on how your feline friend reacts to your dog. Your dog may start by playing as it would another dog or puppy but your cat may not interpret this kind of play as harmless friendly behavior. The cat in question may become defensive which can cause your dog to counter with aggression. On the flip side, there are some cats that they fall in love with a dog upon first glance especially if their wearing dog dresses or dog pajamas! It’s true, they are relaxed when the cat is about and view this animal as the ultimate play toy.
In these cases, if the cat reacts the same way towards your dog, your work is done! Unless you are an animal psychic or intune with your animals more than they are, there is no way to predict on how your dog and cat will take to one another. If you are still not sure about how this initial meeting, then follow these rules of engagement! For starters, be aware that the manner in which you introduce your dog and cat can either create a long lasting friendship or it can result in one or both being injured as a result of a fight. Usually it is the cat that is the injured party. It is extremely necessary that you start this introduction slowly-with babysteps.
The success of a friendship of your cat and dog that allows them to co-habitat together in the home, really depends on friendly familiarity! Make sure that when you ready to start the introduction, always be on your best guard for your cat’s safety! Another good guideline is that you should never leave them alone together until they are compatible with one another. When you cannot be there to supervise them, keep them separated in different areas of the home. You are going to feel like a babysitter but hang in there!
It is extremely necessary and crucial to the success of friendship and harmony between your dog and cat that they have you guide them through this process. In truth, however it can take as little as a matter of days to months for them to learn to tolerate each other. What is important that you maintain your patience in this difficult adjustment for both animals and help guide them with the goal being that they will eventually be forever friends!