How to safely dogsit a dog at home when you already have a cat?

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.

Great question! Introducing them should be done slowly. When you first bring Mousewhisker (I love his name!) 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 your cat has a litter box, food, and water in their room. You can also place a blanket with the dogs's smell in the cat's room, and a blanket with the cat's smell in the dogs's room. I would also consider get a Feliway for your cat and a DAP for your dogs. These are pheromone diffusers that help with anxiety and should also help ease the transition. Once all the pets seem relaxed with the current situation, swap rooms placing the cat in the dogs's room and vice versa. You can do this switch several times over the course of the introductions. Once they are all comfortable with the smells of each other, it's time for them to meet face to face. I would introduce the dogs on a leash to the cat while he is in a cat carrier or on the other side of a baby gate. Reward the puppy 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 dogs as needed, and don't allow the dogs to chase the cat. I hope this helps!

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.

Hi there, it sounds like Sarah is a sensitive type, and (I know its not what you want to hear) but bringing a new pet into her home will probably upset her more. Its unlikely that a rambunctious dog will leave her alone, as she may feel threatened and start showing other signs of anxiety such as soiling in abnormal places, overgrooming, or even she may get stress cystitis. If you have a large home and can guarantee that Sarah will have a safe quiet and protected area of the home, then you might consider adding a family member.

Hi there. This is a complex question that can't really be fully answered in forum like this, so I would recommend getting in touch with a veterinary behaviorist or a good reward-based trainer in your area who can help you in person. In general, you need to introduce them slowly (usually by having a separate "safe room" for the cat during the introduction process), and keep the dog on-leash whenever the cat is around at first. The dog should be rewarded with praise and treats for calm behavior around the cat. Over time, if all goes well, you can start to allow the dog off-leash for short periods around the cat, as long as she isn't showing any signs of aggression or intense interest. Be aware that some dogs with a strong predatory instinct may never be safe off-leash around cats, in spite of training. You can search for a veterinary behaviorist in your area here: www.dacvb.org or a qualified trainer here: www.ccpdt.org

I have a few suggestions for you. First, dogs often see cats outside as an invasion, but may treat cats in the house differently. My dogs wil chase a cat outside, but happily live with 2 cats in the house. Hopefully that will be the case for you. But you have to play it safe. So, I would recommend only allowing Molly to see the cat when she is on a leash initially, so you will have control over how close she can get to the cat. if Molly is treat/food motivated, one nice way to do this is to give her treats when she can see the cat, but ignores the cat, so she learns that is a desired behavior. Make sure the cat has lots of "safe" places that he can get away from Molly. Depending on Molly's reaction to the cat, you will have to determine a safe schedule to continue their introduction from there. Good luck! I hope that was helpful. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Start with a door between them so they can sniff each other. From there keep one in a kennel so they can see and sniff each other and you can gauge how they interact. If there is aggression then keep them separate still. If they seem to get along then pick a single cat to leave with the dog one on one while the dog is in a leash sobyiu can control the situation. From there you can slowly introduce the other the same way before placing them all together