Cats and dogs - mixing multi species households

This is adapted from the article I wrote for the K9 Nation app, 2020.

In 2019, Cats Protection rehomed 41,000 cats and the Dogs Trust rehomed 11,790 dogs. That’s a lot of pets potentially moving into the home of another! Each pet is an individual, so how can we make the transition easier for them?

INTRODUCING A DOG TO A CAT HOUSEHOLD (and vice versa)

Domestic cats are a social species, some selectively (Landsberg, 2014) depending on factors such as environment, early social experiences and so on, and can form strong attachments with their caregivers. If a cat is content, they will display their normal behaviours such as grooming, hunting and play (Beaver, 2003). This can be disrupted when changes occur, because cats are especially vulnerable to acute stress and can quickly lose their appetite. If this becomes chronic, it can cause not only behavioural issues, but can cause urinary and digestive issues. Seek vet advice if you notice a change in digestive or toileting behaviours in your pets.

Plan ahead

Begin adapting to the environment gradually, so your current pet has a chance to get used to the new arrangements. Have a look at your home and think like a cat, get to know them as a species and similarly for the dog too. By learning how they communicate and behave, and what their needs are as an individual you’ll be able to see what changes should be made and where, making the introduction to the home smoother. Keep your expectations realistic, things don’t always go according to plan and the new pet may not be right for your situation.

Cats need to have quiet places to be alone or hide in, and high observation areas. They also need to eat and drink and sleep with a sense of safety, so place food and water stations separately and in a location where they can view the home as they eat or drink.

Cats also need to be able to groom and go to the loo in peace, don’t we all. Allocate a space, maybe upstairs or a different room that is specifically for your cat. If they are indoor cats, they need plenty of choice for toileting, with their preferred type of litter substrate. They also need a scratching surface to maintain nail health and scent transfer (Neville and Bessant, 2011).

Cats are often tactile - touchy feely - either with each other or with us and need to be able to rub to greet or brush against something to spread their scent on. This is really important for them as it’s how they feel content and secure because of the familiar odours there (Neville and Bessant, 2011). Scent is so important to cats, as well as dogs. They also need a scratching surface to maintain nail health and scent transfer.

If your cat uses a cat flap, consider how they can still do so without having to go past where your dog is likely to be spending a lot of time, or place one elsewhere and spend time helping them with this change.

Then thinking further ahead to how you’d slowly introduce them being together, if appropriate, by using stair gates, like the Dog G8 pictured above) and what types of toys and food dispensers you can use to add positive associations for both species. Have all this in place so your pet can adapt to them. 

Dogs also need hiding places and to be able to eat, drink, rest and groom without interference. They also like to have several resting locations and are often more active in the evenings when younger (Kinsman et al, 2020), similarly for cats.

Some dogs look to their humans for reassurance, security and comfort, so consider how you also meet these needs as well as their physical and mental needs and that of the other pets present. Have a think about their temperaments and characteristics; would they cope with a new pet?

Other adaptations - scent transfers

Introduce them to each other before you bring the dog home by giving the cat something that smells of them, and giving the dog something that smells of the cat, like a blanket or toy to sniff. Repeat daily and continue for a couple of weeks after they are in the home. Check for signs of stress when sniffing these articles, not a good sign if they freak out after smelling it (Overall, 2013). 

Gotcha day

Be mindful to not allow chasing, as a lot of dogs find this rewarding and a lot of cats don’t. Undoubtedly the new pet will be excited or even stressed, and may have experienced emotional or physical trauma so might be feeling vulnerable. Ensure your cat remains safely tucked away, while your dog explores the places where they will be allowed in the home, calmly and ideally on lead and rewarding calm behaviours with calm praise.

Show them where their water station is, their rest locations and their toilet locations. If other cats enter the garden, ensure they aren’t present whenever you let the dog out there. It will help to teach your dog to pay you attention as a behaviour.

If you’re introducing a cat to a home with an established dog, similar applies. Have the dog safely out of reach, bring your cat inside in their carrier and take them to their safe zone, then sit with them while they decompress.

Ensure they can’t escape and risk accidentally meeting the dog. Allow them the choice to exit the carrier and explore (leave it out as a safe space for them), toilet and take in their new surroundings. Be calm and let them come to you. 

Spend quality time with your dog too, they need to know they are still important to you. Supervise all movements within the house, keeping the dog on lead, go for a walk or be behind a barrier to allow the cat to safely explore their surroundings in the first few days.

Avoid having everyone over to meet the dog or cat for at least a couple weeks, allow them time to decompress especially if they are skittish or anxious. Newly adopted pets can take weeks to settle into their new environment.

Your behaviour affects theirs 

Be mindful of being over excited around your new pet, even more so if you have young children. You’ll need to explain in the weeks ahead how to behave appropriately around dogs, respect their personal space, and teach them that if the dog or cat is resting or asleep to leave them alone. Not all pets enjoy being touched.

Go slowly, no need to rush  

If they are coping well and have settled in, it might be time to introduce them. This should only be done under close supervision behind a baby gate or a clear perspex sheet across a doorway, with the dog on lead to prevent chasing and ensure your cat has an escape route. Reward calm behaviours from the dog and cat, allowing your cat to choose to hide or go to their core area. Introductions should not be done with your cat confined or restrained and should always be at their level of emotional comfort. 

Any signs your dog is excited keep them separated and work more on the calm behaviours. Your cat needs to always feel safe and your dog always needs to remain calm to allow predictability for your cat and for the dog too. Always reward calm behaviours around your cat.

Behaviour changes

If your cat grooms less, eats less, seeks you out less, has toileting issues or yowls you'll need to take another look at the home set up and the quality of your interactions with them. Are you still playing with them, talking to them, cuddling them or grooming them if they enjoy this? Can you do this for longer periods and have someone sit with the dog if they get upset without you? If your cat is aggressive towards the dog even if the dog is calm around them, you’ll need help. 

If your dog is vocalising, this can upset your cat. Set up the environment the dog exists in to prevent this, or manage them so they are more settled. Is your dog panting excessively, yawning, vocalising, unable to take food with the cat present? If so, lower the intensity of the situation by encouraging your dog to their safe space or go to the garden for a sniff around. 

When and who to ask for help

If problems start or persist, seek advice from your vet and a suitably qualified expert, such as a member of the Association for Pet Behaviour Counsellors (APBC), a Certified Clinical Animal Behaviourist (CCAB) or a member of International Association of Animal Behaviour Consultants (IAABC). 

Case study - Billie the Beardie and Cyrille the kitten

Billie the Bearded Collie was struggling with the new addition of Cyrille the kitten. Cyrille was confident and active, which proved irresistible to Billie who would chase Cyrille and was very focused on trying to access him, she would snap at him and concerned the owners, Ian and Rachel, who weren’t sure if she was being aggressive towards the cat and didn’t want her to hurt him.

I was called in on vet recommendation and referral and could see immediately a frustrated herder and a kitten who wasn’t scared of Billie yet understood she chased him and she would then hide behind sofas and climb curtains whilst the family distracted Billie and got Cyrille out. The other family dog, Gladys was great with the kitten from the outset.

We agreed to reduce the introductions, go back to scent transfers and when giving time to Cyrille in the home (he was lucky enough to have his own bedroom (well shared it with one of the owners’ sons!) and he would be safely behind a large perspex barrier whilst Billie was doing scentwork and being rewarded for calm behaviour when she saw him. This part was the trickiest because not only did we have previous frustration but learned behaviours, but these were an invested and experienced family who did everything advised to the letter.

Gradually the barriers were moved to other rooms, opened slightly then over time they were removed and the family had the skills and calmness needed by both species to do short interactions. These were increased over time and now they are best buddies. This photo was a still from a video they family excitedly sent to update me. Fab stuff huh!

“We had an issue introducing a kitten into the house with our 2 dogs. Katie provided valuable advice both in person and remotely, and once we put those ideas into practice we were able to quickly resolve the situation. Katie’s knowledge of dog and cat behaviour was invaluable and our cat and dogs are now great friends. Thank you Katie.” Ian and Rachel, Bristol

Billie and Cyrille learning to co-habit the same space calmly - owners were happy as you can maybe tell!

References:

Bonnie V. Beaver., 2003. Feline Behavior (Second Edition). 2nd ed. Amsterdam: W B Saunders Company.

Gary, L., 2014. Social Behavior Of Cats - Behavior - Veterinary Manual. [online] Veterinary Manual. Available at: <https://www.msdvetmanual.com/behavior/normal-social-behavior-and-behavioral-problems-of-domestic-animals/social-behavior-of-cats> [Accessed 24 November 2020].

Kinsman, R.; Owczarczak-Garstecka, S.; Casey, R.; Knowles, T.; Tasker, S.; Woodward, J.; Da Costa, R.; Murray, J. Sleep Duration and Behaviours: A Descriptive Analysis of a Cohort of Dogs up to 12 Months of Age. Animals 2020, 10, 1172.

Neville, P. and Bessant, C., 2011. The Perfect Kitten. London: Hamlyn.

Overall, K., 2013. Manual Of Clinical Behavioral Medicine For Dogs And Cats. St Louis: Elsevier.