How to introduce a new dog to a jealous cat and avoid resentment?

The best way is gradually. Allow them to hear/smell but not see each other initially. This can be done by keeping them in separate rooms with a closed door between them. Once they are acclimated, you can have them see each other but do not allow physical contact. After they accept that situation, place one in a secure carrier or crate and place them in the same room. Eventually, physical contact can be attempted. Use leashes and muzzles initially if necessary. A pheromone product such as the DAP Diffuser or Adaptil collar may decrease any aggression and anxiety.

Cat-dog introduction can definitely be tricky particularly when the kitty is somewhat shy or aloof. Cats are usually pretty picky in terms of who they choose to like and dislike at first, so I would not be surprised if you see some swatting and hissing in the very beginning. The best thing you can do to up your odds of a pleasant coexistence if a very slow introduction under supervised settings. I would first have your dog and cat completely separate, but in adjacent rooms so they can hear and smell each other through the door. Once this has happened for a day or two, you can place the dog in a crate and allow the cat to mosy into the dog's area. This will allow you to gauge the dog's reaction as well as the cat's in a safe way. Any positive interaction between the two should be rewarded (both the cat and dog). Once you feel comfortable, you can begin to let the dog out but only on a leash. You need to be convinced that the dog is not going to try to harm Shadow in any way. The dog should be rewarded for any good behavior (in this case, even leaving Shadow alone or ignoring completely should be considered good). If Shadow tries to approach this is fine as long as you have a solid hold on your dog. If this goes well after several supervised sessions, you can try off-the-leash supervision. Keep at this, for a while until you feel completely comfortable that they aren't going to try and kill each other! Hopefully they can have a peaceful coexistence or even be friends if your lucky!

Great question! I can give you a method of introducing Junior to this dog that will hopefully allow them to live together in peace. Introducing them should be done slowly. When you first move into your new home, I would keep them in rooms separated by a door. This way, they can get used to the smells and sounds of each other without contact. Make sure Junior has a litter box, food, and water in their room. You can also place a blanket with the dog's smell in his room, and a blanket with theJunior's smell in the dog's room. I would also consider get a Feliway for your cat and a DAP for the dog. These are pheromone diffusers that help with anxiety and should also help ease the transition. Once both pets seem relaxed with the current situation, swap rooms placing Junior in the dog's room and vice versa. You can do this switch several times over the course of the introductions. Once they are both comfortable with the smells of each other, it's time for them to meet face to face. I would introduce the dog on a leash to Junior while he is in a cat carrier or on the other side of a baby gate. Reward the dog for being calm and quiet near your cat. Once they seem comfortable with each other, the baby gate can be taken away. Make sure Junior has a cat tree where he can escape from the dog as needed, and don't allow the dog to chase Junior. Good luck, I hope this helps!

Hi and thank you for your post on Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Oh my! This sounds like a conumdrum! This can be very common occurance in dogs that suddenly have a new house mate. Here's a strategy that can help. Next time you are trying to give Milo the cat some love on the sofa, ask your pup to sit, stay, or lay down. Give treat when he does and then give Milo some love. Immediatley come back to your pup and give him a treat and love on him. Rinse and Repeat many times over the course of a few days. Each time, spend a little more tme with Milo before going back to the pup. I hope this helps and best wishes to you!

I suggest you put some Feliway diffusers in your house starting about a week before the dog is to come over. This is basically "happy cat" pheromones and they really work to decrease stress. Their website has a lot of great information. ( https://www.feliway.com/uk/Products/FELIWAY-CLASSIC-Diffuser ) Also, make a "safe space" for your cat so that, if needed, she can get away from the dog. The best way to do this is to put a baby gate up across the door to one room so that the cat can get in but the dog can't. Put the litter box, food and water in there. Hope this helps. Best wishes.

Hi there Adjusting to a new animal in the home can sometimes take months. There are a few things that can help, but honestly time is the best remedy. I would make sure all the pets have enough space, and a safe place to eat and drink that is away from the new cat. I would also use the Adaptil spray and Feliway spray diffusers in your home. This helps animals calm down and can make their enviornment more neutral while they adjust. Finally, just be sure to keep things routine. Pets love routine and while a new cat isn't routine, keeping everything else this way will help. Best wishes and thanks for using Pet Coach!

Adding a new pet to the house is often stressful for the existing pet. I would make sure you continue to provide her with plenty of love and attention. Do not force her to interact with the new dog, and let her hide from it as that is how she is dealing with the stress. She will adjust to the dog over time, but if she starts shows signs of aggression to you or the dog, some behavioral modifications will have to be done as she isn't adjusting well. Give her treats, play with her, and continue to show the same amount of love and attention you had given her previously so she doesn't feel replaced.