Thinking about adding another furry family member to your home?
We fully support having as many pets as your heart can handle.
But if you’re bringing a dog into a cat’s home (or vice versa), you’ll want a game plan — because “cats vs. dogs” is a stereotype for a reason.
Here’s how to safely introduce them, avoid drama, and set them up for a peaceful, long-term friendship.
Before You Bring a New Dog or Cat Home
Whether you already have a cat or a dog, take a minute to think about how they’ll handle a new roommate. Consider:
- Age — Seniors may struggle with rambunctious puppies or kittens.
- Energy level — Hyper newbies can overwhelm calm, older pets.
- Past experiences — Has your dog lived with cats before? Has your cat ever met a dog?
- Breed tendencies — Personality always matters more than breed, but herding, hunting and high-prey-drive dogs may struggle more with cats.
And don’t just assume young pets will “adjust automatically.” A shy kitten or nervous puppy may actually take longer to feel safe.
If you’re adopting, ask shelters about each animal’s history. Many already know who does well with cats or dogs.
How To Introduce Your Dog and Cat — Step by Step
1. Start with scent swapping
Before they ever see each other, they should smell each other.
- Keep your new pet in a separate room with food, water, bed and litter box (if they’re a cat).
- Let your resident pet roam normally.
- Place a towel in each pet’s sleeping area for a night. Then swap the towels.
- Watch how each reacts to the new scent — curious is good, neutral is great, fearful or tense means you need more time.
Repeat daily until both pets seem at ease.
2. “Meet” through a door
Once they’re comfortable with scents, let them interact with a barrier between them.
- Have short sessions with each pet on opposite sides of a closed door.
- Offer treats, meals or playtime so they associate the other animal’s presence with good things.
- Once that’s going well, repeat the process using a baby gate — first covered with a blanket, then uncovered.
Try this highly rated gate, which can be used for stairs, hallways and doors, from Amazon
You want calm curiosity, not barking, growling or hissing.
3. Move on to supervised interactions
When both pets seem relaxed with the gate introductions:
- Let them share a room for short sessions.
- Keep the dog on a leash.
- Make sure the cat has high escape routes (cat trees, counters, shelves).
- Let them choose whether to interact — no forcing!
- Start with 5-minute sessions and slowly work up from there.
For at least the first month, never leave them alone together.
Watch for warning signs:
Dog: stiff posture, rigid tail, fixed stare, barking, low stalk
Cat: raised fur, arched back, hissing, growling, hiding, swatting
If either shows tension, end the session.
4. Give them free rein — when they’re ready
If all the introductions have gone smoothly, you can finally let them roam together unsupervised.
Even if they aren’t best friends yet, comfort and calm coexistence is success.
Still keep:
- Separate feeding areas
- Separate resting spaces
- Escape routes for the cat
- Occasional check-ins to make sure the peace continues
After They’ve Met: Keeping the Peace
Give your original pet extra love
Your resident pet is adjusting to a new roommate — which can feel like a big deal.
Make sure you still spend one-on-one time with your OG pet so they don’t feel replaced.
If Your Cat and Dog Don’t Get Along
Sometimes, despite your best efforts, harmony takes longer than expected. Try:
1. Providing your cat with vertical space
Cat trees or tall shelves help your cat feel secure and out of reach.
2. Avoiding yelling or punishment
Your stress = their stress. Stay calm so they can stay calm.
3. Using calming aids
Dog calming collars or cat pheromone diffusers can help make the environment feel safer.
4. Working with a trainer or behaviorist
A professional can help tailor a plan for your pets’ personalities.
Bottom Line
With patience, structure, and the right introduction plan, most cats and dogs can learn to coexist — and many become inseparable.
And if they never become BFFs? Comfortable indifference still counts as a win.
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