Can I get a cat if I already have a dog?

It’s very dependent on both the dog and the cat. It will come down to personality and training, but can certainly be successfully done. Careful introduction and plenty of ways for the cat to get away and be safe, including vertical space, are a must for it to work.

Is it better to get cat or dog first?

In the most general terms, though, the best strategy would be to adopt first a middle-aged, well-mannered dog who shows little interest in cats, and then a kitten who has been raised in a household with friendly or indifferent dogs around.

Is it easier to introduce a cat to a dog?

Introducing adult cats to puppies can sometimes be easy, since a well-socialized adult cat might be fine with a puppy acting like a puppy. However, if your rambunctious puppy is chasing your shy cat, it is up to you to intervene.

How do you introduce a new dog into your home with cats?

How to introduce a dog and cat

1. Getting started. Make sure the cat has access to a dog-free sanctuary at all times.
2. Keep the pets separate at first.
3. Feed them on opposite sides of a closed door.
4. Teach basic commands.
5. Begin face-to-face meetings.
6. Repeat sessions daily.
7. Allow pets loose together.
8. Proceed with caution.

Which is harder to take care of cats or dogs?

In a nutshell, dogs require more time, attention and money, but as pack animals are often much more social than cats. On the other hand, cats, being more independent, are easier to care for, much neater and usually cost less. All pets require love, attention, play time, some grooming and regular veterinary visits.

How do I acclimate my cat to a new dog?

Introducing Your New Cat to Your Dog

1. Confinement. Confine your new cat to one medium-sized room with her litter box, food, water and a bed.
2. Swap scents.
3. Switch living areas.
4. Avoid fearful and aggressive meetings.
5. Precautions.
6. Practice obedience.
7. Controlled meeting.
8. Let your cat go.

How to introduce cats and dogs to a new home?

The first step in introducing cats and dogs is to ensure that whichever animal is already resident in the home is as unaffected as possible.

Is it OK to add a new cat to your household?

Whether you’re adding a new cat or a new dog to your household, the top priority is always safety. A cat might be able to live safely and happily with some dogs, but not others, so even if your cat has lived with dogs before, use caution and proceed slowly when introducing your cat to a new dog.

How to introduce a new pet to a new housemate?

The first step in introducing the new housemates should be swapping each other’s scent, rather than any face-to-face introductions. Both dogs and cats rely heavily on scent and chemical communication, and so will be able to gather information about each other by sniffing to gently get used to each other’s scents.

How to introduce a scented pet to a cat?

This can be achieved through rubbing the dog with a cloth, or leaving it in their bed, then placing it into the cat’s area, and vice versa. The scented item should initially be placed away from the cat’s valued resources, in case it causes anxiety and prevents the cat from accessing what it needs.