How do you introduce a dog to a cat?

[Kelsey B]

We are watching a little dog (I think it is a Bijan) and we have two cats. We are trying to figure out how they can become friends instead of their current state, enemies. We tried putting them in the same room but the dog attacked the cat. We did the same with my other cat and they were pretty good. Do you have any ideas on how we can introduce them to one another? The people we are watching the dog for said he was good with cat's but he isn't. Any ideas are welcome even if you have never tried them. Thanks. We need all the help we can get. This is going to be a lonnng week.

 

[Kimberly]

On day 1, confine your new cat to his or her own room at first. After a few hours, confine the dog in a fenced-in yard or basement or separate room, and allow the cat to explore the rest of the house. Then put the cat back in his or her own room, so the dog has an opportunity to become familiar with the cat's scent. Put a baby gate up but leave the door closed.

On day 2, crack open the door to the cat's room a couple inches and allow the dog to sniff and see through the opening for 30 seconds. Reward the dog for appropriate behavior. Repeat this step a couple more times during the day. Continue to give the cat the opportunity to explore the house when the dog is securely confined out of sight.

 

[Veternarian_Student]

let the animal that is comfortable with the other free while you hold the problem animal and let them get familiar

 

[Alexxa C]

Well the dog could very well be good with cats except for this one it has found a problem with. I suggest that if it is only for a week do not confine them. Let things play out. Generally cats just stay away from dogs they dont like. They have the ability to get to higher areas so they are out of reach. So unless your cat is mentally challenged or fat, it will stay away from the dog. Cats aren't in the habit of making their sleep eat sleep schedule change.

 

[Anna & The Peanut :)]

Firstly - Considering you are only looking after the dog for a week, I would keep them separate.
They do not need to be in the same room - A week will be over in no time.
So don't worry.

The other option is to keep the dog on lead at all times, when inside with your cats, if he is allowed to chase the cats in their own home it will traumatise them.
Not fair to your cats.

I guess it's a lesson learnt - Next time someone asks you to mind their dog...
Say no - Even if they assure (as this person did) that they don't chase cats.

Your cats should always feel safe in their own home and it seems a little unfair that you have brought someone elses dog into your house when surely he could have gone to a kennel?

If it were me, now that you are stuck with the dog - I would keep the cats separate.
The cats will want to hide away from the dog in other rooms anyway now that he has scared them.
Let them.
Things will return to normal after the dog leaves.
Good luck - But don't risk injury to your poor cats by forcing them to be together.

It would be different if it were a new dog that you owned/bought.
Assimilating them IS possible, but may take weeks and can be hard work
I wouldn't bother in this case, for such a short period of time

Note:
There is also the risk of the dog getting scatched in the eye!
Sending a dog back to the owners with one eye or a big vet bill would scare me enought to make sure they are kept separate!