Yes, in short, but not necessarily with all other cats or dogs.

If you are considering introducing a dog to your cat household or a cat to your dog household, be prepared to provide safety and extra training for all parties involved.  The time and effort you spend ensuring a safe, gradual introduction will typically be far less stressful than that spent trying to repair an initially tumultuous relationship.

Unfortunately, there are no 100% guarantees when it comes to animal relationships.  Even though your dog may enjoy meeting cats on leash during your walks, living with one in “his” household is an entirely different situation.  Cats can also be comfortable with one particular dog, but run from all others.

Take your time.  The primary relationship you will want to build when introducing any new pet to your home is your pet’s relationship with you.  If your pet learns to view you as guardian and caretaker, he or she will generally feel safer trying new things.
• Avoid introducing Fluffy to Fido on her first night home.  Instead, establish a nice, cozy, safe room for her to rest when she needs to be away from everything.
• Let her establish a “home base’ so-to-speak before exposing her to the rest of the house. 
• During her settling in period (which may be days or weeks), spend time socializing, playing with, and training her. 
• Supervise her free-roaming periods in the house, but only with the other pets safely behind closed doors.  That way your cat can get used to everyone’s scents and sounds before actually meeting them. 

The same process applies if you are introducing a dog to your household.  Get to know your dog before he gets to know your cat.  Train him.  Play with him.  Socialize him. 
• Give your dog a short time each day to explore the cat’s room without the cat, rather than risking an unpleasant surprise meeting in the hallway. 
• After Fido has had a chance to explore, let him rest in another room while Fluffy gets to explore his room. 
• Important note: Cat litter is very hazardous when ingested in large amounts, so be sure to keep the litter box inaccessible to Fido at all times. 
• When Fido is comfortable in his new surroundings, you may give him protected access to the other pet(s). 
• Use a baby gate or just crack the room door to give your pets a safe opportunity to sniff each other.  Do this multiple times during the day, but start with very short periods. 
• Aim for calm and successful rather than long greetings.  Gradually increase their time together as they grow more comfortable with each other. 

Be safe.  Be patient.  And you may just be rewarded with a positive relationship between your pets.

Today’s blog author is Marie Tripton. Marie is the manager of the Richmond SPCA’s Behavior Helpline.

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