I got a dog from a friend a couple of months ago, and ever since then, my cat has been acting out. He started pooping outside of his litter box, even though the box was clean. Then, he began jumping onto counters and getting into the trash. Now, if I leave him out at night, he gets into trouble—either the trash or the countertops. I’ve had him for three years, and he’s never acted up like this before. How do I fix this? I don’t want to get rid of either of them, but it’s becoming overwhelming to handle both.
Did you introduce them properly?
Hunter said:
Did you introduce them properly?
Jackson Galaxy has great videos on this. Start over and follow his advice on introductions. Lol.
Dogs can feel like a threat to cats. Make sure your cat has access to high places, like cat trees, to help him feel safe. If he’s on the counters, it’s likely because he doesn’t feel safe elsewhere. Also, make sure you do a slow introduction between them and never allow the dog to bark or chase the cat.
If the litter box issues persist, take him to the vet to rule out a UTI, as stress can cause them. Consider using Feliway diffusers to help calm him down, and use Adaptil for the dog. You can use both simultaneously.
Has this been going on for two months? Take the cat to the vet to rule out any health issues like a UTI. Once cleared, work on reintroducing the cat and dog slowly and try using Feliway diffusers to help calm the cat.
If the cat was there first, they should be the priority. Make sure their needs are being met.
Why would you get rid of the cat? He was there first. Did you follow any kind of introduction process for the dog, or did you just expect them to get along right away?
Your cat needs safe spaces, especially high up. Also, schedule a vet visit to check for any stress-induced health issues, like a UTI. You can kennel train cats for nighttime sleeping or give your cat a separate room with tall trees and a baby gate to keep the dog out.
I recently went through a similar situation. When we got our cat, we introduced his scent to the dog early, but kept them separated. After a week of switching rooms, we did supervised visits through a baby gate. We gradually introduced them together in the same space, always keeping a close eye on their interactions. Now they coexist, but we give the cat safe places like high shelves and keep them separated at night. It’s a slow process, but patience pays off.