Читать книгу 77 Things to Know Before Getting a Cat - Susan Ewing M. - Страница 42

If you have a dog, you can’t just turn a cat—and definitely not a kitten—loose in the house and expect everyone to live happily ever after. At least an adult cat has a better chance at reaching safety than a kitten, and an adult cat might even stop a dog in his tracks by using his claws.

If you’re introducing a kitten to your dog, put the kitten in a cat carrier for the initial introduction. Let the dog and kitten sniff each other through the carrier door. It may be that your dog is friendly and curious, and that’s a good thing. If your dog tries to get to the kitten through the carrier, the introductions will take much longer.

Next, set your kitten up with his own bed, litter box, and food in a spare room with the door closed. Both the kitten and the dog will be able to smell each other through the crack under the door. When you want to let the kitten explore the house, crate your dog.

After a day or two, depending on the size of your dog, you might be able to put a baby gate in the doorway of the cat’s room. The two pets can see and smell each other, but the kitten will be safe. Always supervise all contact until you are sure that they are safe together.

Take introductions slowly before you let your dog and kitten loose together.

With an adult cat, things can be both easier and more complicated. An adult cat may or may not already be familiar with dogs. You’ll still want that safe area for the cat, but adult cats have full use of their claws and are faster and more able to get to that safe area.

Use baby gates wherever necessary so that your cat can leap over, leaving the dog behind. Clear a shelf or two and remove things from your fireplace mantel so that the cat always has someplace high and safe where he can rest undisturbed. Keep the litter box in a room that is a “dog-free” zone. Again, a baby gate across the doorway may work. It’s not fair to your cat to have to try to use the litter box while a dog is present, especially if the two are not yet best buddies. It’s a good idea to keep the litter box where the dog can’t get at it anyway because many dogs seem to find litter box deposits tasty.

Be patient. Total acceptance is not likely to happen in just a day or two. It can take weeks. Make sure neither animal can harass the other when you’re not around. Supervise their meetings and praise both animals when they are calm and nonthreatening. Many dogs and cats become good friends, but even a truce can work as long as there are safety zones for everyone.

If you love having a cat and want another, follow a similar plan for meet-and-greets. A kitten in a carrier may be introduced initially to an adult cat. Then, as previously discussed, set up the safe room for the new cat or kitten and let the two cats smell each other at the crack under the door. When one cat has the run of the house, the other is confined. Also, when you’ve removed the new cat from his room to a safe place, let the resident cat check out the new cat’s room. Having a diffuser of synthetic cat pheromones may also help relax the cats.

If the cats seem comfortable sniffing near the door, prop the door open a couple of inches and let them interact at that opening. If either cat seems stressed, end the session. Be patient with this process.

With careful introductions and supervision, your cat and dog can become best friends.

Eventually, enlist a helper and have the cats in the same room, but at opposite ends. Offer tasty treats and attention, especially if the cats are calm and ignoring each other. Gradually bring them closer and closer. Even if they never become best friends, it’s good enough if they tolerate each other with no aggression. As mentioned in discussing introductions to dogs, have a cleared-off shelf or two where the cats can get away from each other.

If you have other types of pets, such as rabbits, gerbils, or hamsters, it’s likely that they will never be friends with your cat. Your cat will see these animals as prey, so make sure that these other pets are in safe cages out of your cat’s reach. If you have an aquarium, make sure that the lid is secure. Yes, there are cute videos online of cats cuddling with rabbits or a mouse perched on a cat’s head, but these are not the norm. Keep all of your pets safe.

DID YOU KNOW?

While dogs are usually predictable in their behavior, cats are more independent and “creative” in their life skills.

Your dog and cat might not become cuddle buddies, but they can learn to coexist peacefully.