We have 3 cats (F12, M9, M10 mos.) and are considering getting a dog. None of our cats have been around dogs before, so we’re unsure how they would react. We want to avoid any trauma for the dog. What’s the best way to determine if a dog would be a good fit for our household?
We just went through this the opposite way. We kept our new cat isolated at first, then did supervised visits through a baby gate. It was a slow process, but now they can be left alone together. Patience is key.
The key is to go slowly and let them explore each other on their terms. Don’t rush it!
Choose the right dog! Look for one with a history of being good with cats or one that has a low prey drive.
Start with separate rooms and lots of baby talk. Take your time with introductions.
Patience is key. Swap the dog into the cat area and vice versa. Use baby gates and do scent swapping with their bedding.
I had two cats when we got a large dog. We used a pheromone diffuser and made sure the cats had safe spaces. It worked well for us!