My cat attacks my dog ​​- How to get a cat to accept a dog

How do you get a cat to accept a dog? What if my cat attacks my dog? These are exactly the questions I asked myself when Picasso my 2 month old Labrador arrived with us. Indeed, my little Mistee had already lived for 2 years in our house without any other animal bothering her and when my dog ​​landed, it was very, very complicated!

To get a dog to accept a cat, it will first be necessary to respect the steps necessary for the good understanding between dog and cat which go through:

• Know how to present a dog to a cat;
• Integrate a dog gradually into a cat's territory;
• Use the right tricks when the cat attacks the dog;
• Intelligently coexist between a dog and an adult cat.

Find out more about each step below with some tips to make the cat and dog cohabitation run smoothly in your home.

How to introduce a dog to a cat?

If you have a cat and are going to adopt a dog or puppy, there are a few precautions you should take when first^st meet.

In order not to scare your cat, it will be better to put your dog or puppy in a crate and leave your cat free to move around. Take as long as it takes for your cat to approach the cage and start sniffing your pooch.

Then, you can walk the dog on a leash in front of your cat but at a distance. Thus, the two animals will begin to recognize each other by smells.

Where to put animals on 1^er day?

For the first day and the first night, after their presentation, it is best to leave your dog away from your cat (outside during the day or locked in a room for the night). This way the dog will not frighten your cat by running around, hopping or even barking.

How to integrate a dog into the territory of a cat?

At home, so far this is your cat's territory. Suddenly, you should not let your dog take it all at once. The sharing of the territory will have to be done gradually and "amicably"!

Separate rooms for 1 week

For this, it will be necessary to put them in separate rooms or rooms during the first days of cohabitation.

Corridor shared the following days

Once they get used to their smells, after a week or so you will separate them in the hallway with a barrier or a big obstacle. This will prevent the dog from running towards your cat and they will be able to make contact without confrontation.

If your dog is behaving aggressively, bring him back to his room and lock him up. So he will understand that he must not have this type of behavior. Repeat the experience until he calmly agrees to see your cat walking in front of him.

Here is a barrier that you can use for a first contact without risks (usable anywhere, retractable, without bars ...):

And sharing the house between dog and cat

Now it's time to let your cat and dog run free in your home. To do this, plan an "emergency exit" for your cat and your dog. In the event of a conflict, they must have an escape so that one or the other can move away in case ... Remember to leave a door open to the outside, a high support on which can climb your cat, etc ...

For food, make sure that neither animal touches the other's food and water bowl. The place where their respective bowl is located is their territory and must be respected: everyone has their own room! You will have to scold your dog if it were to use it in your cat's bowl (the reverse being more rare).

Be careful, if you find that your cat urinates all over your houseis that there is a problem and that cohabitation is not yet well established ...

My cat does not accept my dog ​​- What to do?

If your cat doesn't seem interested in getting together with your dog, don't force it.

Let him get used to it at his own pace and be patient. Wait a bit and give him time to try another approach. It should be allowed to approach gradually using the separation barrier until your cat feels more comfortable approaching your dog. It may take several weeks.

My cat attacks my dog ​​- What to do?

Despite the progressive steps presented above, does your cat attack your dog? Do not despair because this is what happened with Mistee and Picasso. It was really impressive: My cat spat as soon as she saw Picasso my labrador and even had a few well-directed paws ...

My cat attacks my dog ​​- Pheromones to calm him down

To remedy the aggressive behavior of my cat towards my dog, I therefore used pheromone diffusers that I plugged in the strategic places of the meetings. So, little by little, Mistee behaved more calmly and showed less aggression towards my pooch.

The FELIWAY pheromone diffuser that I recommend is placed where the cat may experience stress. The diffusion of synthetic pheromones, which are copies of the real natural scents of cats, is effective and will help your cat calm down and feel more serene.

My cat attacks my dog ​​- get the cat used to dog smells

By rubbing toys, his cushion or your cat's blanket on your dog, the latter will get used to the smell of your dog because the objects of his daily life will be impregnated with it.

My cat attacks my dog ​​- Cut the cat's claws

Your cat can injure your dog if he attacks him and scratches his nose or his eyes ... To avoid this type of accident, you must ensure that your cat's claws are well cut (see my article: How to cut your cat's claws?).

As long as they are not yet friends, it is better to anticipate the worst ...

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How to make a dog and an adult cat live together?

With patience, getting your cat to stay calm, using positive methods of reinforcement, rewarding him with treats when your cat behaves best with your dog, and well, in a matter of weeks your pets will accept or accept each other. will ignore each other.

And for information, a cat can't be jealous of a dog, he may simply be upset or stressed.

You must transport your little tomcat by car… Here is How safely transporting a cat in the car !