Regardless of the species, introducing a new animal into the home is not always an easy task. Anyone thinking of expanding their furry family needs to take a few factors into account, starting with each animal’s mood and personality.
Temperament is essential for a good relationship between animals. For example, a very young and playful dog will hardly play with an older cat. The same goes for an active cat and an older, calmer dog, who may become stressed by the feline’s advances.
Your pet’s opinion counts!
Another aspect to consider is how your pet behaves with other animals. If your pet has been well socialized, it probably won’t be a big problem to get him used to sharing the house. Otherwise, it is recommended to do some adaptation first.
People often adopt another animal thinking that their pet needs or wants company, but this is not always the case. The best thing to do is to try to socialize your pet with other pets before adding to the family to see how they react.
To do this, you can take him for a walk in community places with other animals, such as parks, or invite friends and relatives to visit with their animals.
The dog needs to be trained!
To ensure harmonious coexistence between animals, it is essential that the dog is trained to obey basic commands. Teach essential commands such as “sit”, “stay”, “come”, “no” and “lie down” using positive reinforcement, such as treats and praise, to reward good behavior.
In addition, take your dog for walks and encounters with other animals in a controlled and supervised manner. This helps your dog get used to the presence of other pets and react in a calmer and more controlled manner.
Separate rooms at first
When your new pet arrives at home, it is important to separate them into different rooms, especially in the first few days. This practice helps to avoid fights and unwanted reactions, allowing each animal to gradually adjust to the presence of the other without additional stress.
If your new pet is a puppy, it can be kept in a crate. A crate provides a safe space for the puppy to settle in and explore without invading the other animal’s territory. It also prevents the puppy from having full access to the house, which can be important to prevent accidents and ensure that the puppy does not disturb the cat.
Keeping each pet in a separate space provides a safer, calmer environment, making it easier for them to adjust and ensuring that they both feel comfortable and safe in their new home. As they get used to each other’s smells and sounds, you can begin to allow supervised interactions, gradually increasing their time together.
Unwanted reactions
It is not uncommon for a pet to make some mistakes when a new pet arrives. It is very common for them to mark their territory when another animal is introduced. Dogs may urinate and defecate in unwanted places, and cats may scratch furniture to leave their pheromones. Some may also try to get their owners’ attention through destructive behavior.
To avoid these situations, it is important that the owner does not neglect to pay attention to both animals and praise them when they are together, encouraging good behavior with affection and treats. Show the pet that has lived in the house longer that he will not lose anything with the arrival of the new friend.
Private corners
Since cats and dogs have different eating habits and require specific foods, it is necessary to keep their food bowls separate at mealtimes. Also, separate the pets’ toilet areas. The cat’s litter box should be out of the dog’s reach to prevent it from playing in it and causing a mess.
Pets also like privacy during these times, so set up a separate bathroom for each one, away from their play, rest and eating areas. Personal items such as toys, blankets and beds should also be kept separate, unless the animals themselves decide to share. Setting aside a room for the cat’s things and installing a small gate is a good alternative.
The presentations
The introduction of the new animal must happen gradually and be closely monitored by the owner, who cannot neglect to give attention and care to both pets individually.
1) If the dog arrives first
- When the cat enters the house, inside the box, it is recommended to leave the dog on a leash to get to know it. This helps the owner to control the animal’s reaction and prevent it from advancing and scaring the newcomer.
- Distracting your dog helps a lot. Even with your cat’s arrival, keep toys within reach so he can play with them on his own.
- When you interact with the feline in the first few days after its arrival, you may need to keep the dog on a leash, but there is no need to isolate it. This will prevent possible jealous attacks.
2) If the cat arrives first
- Familiar Smells: Before bringing your dog home, show your cat objects belonging to your new friend, such as blankets, so that he or she gets used to the smell.
- Keep the feline confined inside a carrier during the introductions so that it gradually gets used to the presence of its new friend.
- Make sure there are shelves or high furniture for your cat to hide in. He should not feel cornered and needs places to “escape”.