how do i introduce my 2 dogs to 2 cats?

[spakkat]

i am looking after 2 cats for someone in need . i have 2 dogs , one hates cats and the other likes cats.best way to keep them all safe and happy? any help appreciated

 

[PoisonMind]

I would do your best to keep them apart if possible.

 

[Wend Song]

Remember you have a duty to keep the cats safe. If you are only going to have the cats for a short time, there is no real point in intermixing them. Cats can be happy in cages, tho' dogs can't. However, if this is to be long term, then they will eventually have to meet. The sooner this happens, the better. It serves no purpose waiting because animals don't have any sense of time passing, but can become stressed knowing the other animals are behind closed doors.

It would be best to introduce the docile dog to one cat and then the other.

Create a "safe zone" where the cat can run to escape the dog, if needed, such as a high place the dog can't reach, etc. Make sure the dog is leashed and calm and sitting or lying down (best if he is asleep). then, simply open the door of the room or cage the cats are in and let the cats decide if they want to join you. Don't hold or touch the cats, pretty much act as if you are ignoring them. However, keep the dog on a leash and correct it by touch without using your voice, if it becomes excited about the cats. Also, if you can't calm the dog down again with the cats there, have someone remove the cats. Repeat this a few times a day until they get used to each other. Don't rush it.

The dogs and cats will know that the dogs are the ones who "own" the place and the cats are the interlopers, so when you do allow them to come together, stay with the dogs and treat the cats as "strangers". Let the dog know he can't chase, harm or bark at the cat.

If this goes well, introduce the other dog to the cat(s). Until you and the cats trust the dogs, make sure you chaperon all encounters between them.

 

[Shelby Royal]

I would put the cats in a room with the door closed and let the dogs sniff at the door for a while to get used to there smell. If anything. Just let them do what they are gonna do. But watch the dog that doesn't like cats. It needs top know that they are going to be there whether it likes it our not. You are the Alpha. What you say goes.

 

[Kelly M]

I like the door idea the other guy had, but i would also introduce the cats to the dogs by holding them in front of the dogs and stroking them to show that they are part of the family...as for the dog that hates cats, you may want to find a way to keep it separated from them for a while to get used to the idea of cats in the house.... let's face it, some dogs have and will always hate cats, we once intro'd a puppy to my cats and when the puppy grew up, she'd still try to torment my cats....stuff happens