How to introduce a scared cat to an energetic dog like a Boxer?

The key is with slow introductions. Adding in barriers or baby gates that your cat can get over but your dog can't can also make it easier for your cat to get away if they need. It is also a good idea to make sure your cat has access to their own access to food, water, litterboxes, and bedding/hiding places without your dog being able to harass them. Adding in a pheromone diffuser such as Comfort Zone in shared spaces can also help with stress. You also only want to let them interact when you are home to supervise as even the best behaved dog can still accidentally injure a smaller cat. Otherwise, giving them time to observe and interact, and separating them if they become too stressed can help during the adjustment period.

Hello. Make sure that Toews has plenty of space to escape the puppy. Towers are especially useful in these situations. Toews food must be kept separate from the puppy, & if possible, in a completely different room where the puppy cannot reach the food. Given enough space to escape the attentions of an active, eager puppy, Toews may learn to accept the puppy & even become buddies, but probably not until the puppy learns that Toews is not a play toy. Other than this, just have plenty of patience. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

I would be glad to help you! I'm very sorry Coco was attacked by the cat. It could be that at night, Coco is trying to play with the cat, and the cat (who isn't used to dogs) is reacting with aggression. It could also be that the cat simply doesn't like dogs and doesn't want to share her home. Depending on how long you have to live with your daughter, I can suggest a method to make them more comfortable with each other so Coco doesn't have to go to the kennels. Introducing them should be done slowly. I would keep them in rooms separated by a door. Make sure the cat has a litter box, food, and water in her room. This way, they can get used to the smells and sounds of each other without contact. You can also place a blanket with Coco's smell in the cat's room, and a blanket with the cat's smell in Coco's room. I would also consider get a Feliway for the cat and a DAP for your 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 the cat in the Coco'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 Coco on a leash to the cat while she is in a cat carrier or on the other side of a baby gate. Reward the dog for being calm and quiet near the cat. Once they seem comfortable with each other, the baby gate can be taken away. Make sure the cat has a cat tree where she can escape from the dog as needed, and I would keep them separated at night until they are getting along better. Hope this helps :-)

Look for low to medium energy dogs that don't have high prey drive. Many rescue dogs have been in foster homes with cats or have been cat tested and you may look specifically for one of these. A puppy is also an option since it will grow up with Jackie but puppies tend to chew on and chase cats which most cats dislike. Older dogs who have been around cats with good manners are generally more acceptable to a cat. Jackie will likely be afraid of any dog at first and you should not be discouraged if there is hissing and hiding. Make sure to keep the dog on a leash and to closely supervise all interactions until you are sure the two are safe together. It may take a few weeks before things quite down. Jackie will feel more secure if she has a tall cat tree or shelves that she can climb and observe the new dog. This is instinctual and can help her to feel more safe. I hope this helps and please feel free to post any additional questions.

Yes there is something you can do to help Brandy and the cat get along. I will give you suggestions I make for when bringing a new puppy into the home, but it will work for your dog and cat. I would re-introduce them, which should be done slowly. For now, I would keep them in rooms separated by a door. Make sure your cat has a litter box, food, and water in it's room. This way, they can get used to the smells and sounds of each other without contact. You can also place a blanket with the Brandy's smell in the cat's room, and a blanket with the cat's smell in the Brandy's room. I would also consider get a Feliway for your cat and a DAP for your 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 the cat 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 Brandy on a leash to the cat while he is in a cat carrier or on the other side of a baby gate. Reward her for being calm and quiet near the cat. Once they seem comfortable with each other, the baby gate can be taken away. Make sure your cat has a cat tree where he can escape from the dog as needed, and don't allow Brandy to chase the cat.

There are a few things that you can do to try to decrease stress and make the transition as easy as possible for Boxer. One option for decreasing stress is to add a Feliway Diffuser ( https://www.feliway.com ) or Comfort Zone Diffuser ( https://www.comfortzone.com/ ) to your house. This is a calming pheromone that will work for a month. I have also had luck with Rescue Remedy ( http://www.bachflower.com/rescue-remedy-pet/ ) which can be added to the water and is safe for both cats. There are a number of companies that make calming treats such as Composure ( https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/vetri-science-composure-feline-bite-sized-chews ). You could also consider calming music specifically for cats ( http://throughadogsear.com/tace/through-a-cats-ear-1-music-for-calming/ ). Be sure to provide "safe" areas for Boxer to be able to get away from the kitten where he can eat and drink in private without worrying about the kitten. And spend as much time as possible playing with the new kitten to get his energy out, so he does not try to play with Boxer until Boxer is ready. If Boxer continues to have abnormal behavior, eating and drinking, I would recommend having your veterinarian examine him. Good luck! I hope that was helpful and gives you some ideas. Thanks for using PetCoach.

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!