Preparing to meet

If you are adding a new cat or dog to your household, then introductions between new and current pets should be gradual and controlled. Here are some top tips to follow before you attempt to introduce your animals to each other.

Scent swapping

Scent is an extremely important form of communication for both dogs and cats. Use it to introduce your pets to each other before you bring your new family member home – here’s how.

Ask for a blanket or toy that smells of your new pet. Place it in the middle of the floor for your resident pet to investigate at their own pace.

Give the current carer of your new pet a blanket or toy that smells of your existing pet so that they can do the same.

Then, in the first week or so of bringing your new pet home, you can continue to ‘swap scents’ by exchanging items of bedding. Keep going until there are no signs to suggest that your pets are upset by each other’s scents – such as the cat avoiding the items.

Create individual areas

Set up a core area for each pet where they will feel secure eating, drinking, resting, and going to the toilet. Make sure that both can access all of their resources without coming into contact with each other. Make sure that your existing cat or dog is comfortable spending time in their core area before bringing home your new arrival.

Use physical barriers

Make a plan to keep your pets separated with physical barriers, such as baby gates, or by keeping doors shut, at least in the short term. Chasing is very rewarding for dogs, so they mustn’t get to practice this behavior with cats. Your cat should never be forced into the same room as your dog. They should also have access to escape routes in case they feel threatened.