20-Sep-2018 posted-by My Pet Desire
It's not an easy task to introduce two sworn enemies with each other. But that doesn’t make them not becoming best buddies in future. Right method and right approach can turn impossible possible.
Having a cat and dog under one roof and creating a harmonious relation between them needs a lot of thinking and disaster managing skills to get these two sworn enemies turn friends.
Cats are vulnerable, dogs are stronger when compared to a cat. Even in play a dog can end up killing the cat. So beware of never leaving them all alone.
1. Swap Their Scents.
It can be really tricky to introduce a cat to a dog. For initial introduction process, making them acquainted with each other’s smell can smoothen the things. Rub two towels separately over your dog and cat and place them under their sleeping place, to get them accustomed to each other’s scent.
2. Leash Your Dog.
In the initial stages, your dog may turn out to become aggressive towards your cat. In excessive excitement may try to pounce over your cat. It's better to have your dog leashed. It will help you correct yourself immediately when such a situation arises.
3. Have A Separate Place For Your Cat’s Litter Box.
Dogs love to eat cat’s feces, though it won’t be troublesome for the dog’s health, it can end up frightening the cat. Keep your cat’s litter box away from your dog’s reach. By this, even your cat’s privacy won’t get hindered.
4. A Meet Afar.
Introduce your cat and dog from a distance during the introduction stage. It will help you get an overall idea of their reaction towards each other and help you initialize accordingly.
5. Do Not Punish
When your cats and dogs turn out becoming best friends and are harmonious with each other, still do not forget to monitor their actions. Sometimes your cat may swat across your dog’s nose. Do not punish the cat, rather calm your dog with a toy.
6. Basic Commands Workout Well
Teach your dog basic commands like “sit”, “stay” and “leave it”. This will help you out when the dog tends to grow aggressive on meeting your cat.
7. Talk It Out
Before beginning with the preliminary process of introducing your dog to a cat, pat your dog by your side and talk to him, by signs and gestures. Introduce the dog and the cat by showing its pictures. This will help both get acquainted with each other.
8. Introduction Process
It is better advisable to introduce your cat to a dog’s crate and a dog on a cat’s litterbox. Make them meet each other with some protection in between them. Introducing a cat on a dog’s crate will help ease out the situation as well as help both get accustomed to each other's scent as stated before.
9. Give Some Time To Your Cat.
Allow your cat to explore its new buddy in its own pace. Let it take its own sweet time in getting to know its friend and feel eased out in its company while keeping your dog still on leash. Sometimes, when the situation turns riskier and your dog pounces on your cat, the leash can prove to be your savior.
10. Keep A Watch.
Even after becoming good friends, doesn’t solve the matters so easily. Have an eye on their movements. Don’t forget to monitor them by being around during their face-offs.
