Page 222 - The Complete Cat Breed Book (DK)

220 C ARE AND BEHA VIOR

When you bring the baby home for the first time, allow your For the next stage of socialization, allow the dog through
cat to sit next to the baby and give him treats for good the door while on the lead, or put him in a crate in the cat’s
behavior so that he associates the baby with a positive room. Let the pair sniff each other, but remove the dog if he
experience. Never leave the baby and cat alone together. Close attempts to jump on or chase the cat. Supervise encounters
the door to the room where your baby is sleeping or buy a until the cat is comfortable around the dog. Initial contacts
screen to cover the door frame. You can also get nets to put should be short and repeated several times a day. Praise
over cribs and strollers, which will deter your cat from trying and reward the dog for good behavior, so that he comes
to snuggle up to your baby or from spraying if he is stressed. to regard the cat’s presence in the house as a good thing.
Try to keep your cat’s routine as normal as possible and make Finally, you can try leaving the two alone in the room
sure he gets his share of attention from someone in the family. by walking out then walking back in right away. Gradually
extend the period of leaving them alone, but stay within
Cats and dogs listening distance. If you hear hissing, growling, or barking,
Whether you are introducing a new cat to a dog or a new dog return immediately. Make sure the cat has a safe place to
to a cat, the same methods of socializing them can be used, hide that is out of the dog’s reach. Continue this process
with slight modification. When you first bring your new cat until the dog no longer reacts to the cat, and the cat is
home, put him in a room that the dog does not need to access happy to eat or sleep when the dog is in the same room.
until the cat has settled in. Alternatively, put up a barrier or Sadly, some dogs may never be safe to leave with a cat.
put the dog in a crate. While the cat is getting used to his new If that is the case, you will have to keep them separate
surroundings, let the dog smell the cat’s scent. You can do this or supervise their encounters at all times.
by rubbing the dog with a towel that you have previously
rubbed on the cat or letting the dog sniff your hands after Other cats in the home
handling the cat. Do the same with the cat. Once the dog is Because your cat sees your home as his territory, bringing
familiar with the cat’s scent, put the dog on a lead and bring another adult cat into the house may be seen as a threat.
him to the door of the cat’s room. Do not allow any bad A new kitten, however, is more likely to be tolerated by the
behavior such as barking, scratching, or lunging. If the dog resident. Keep a lookout for bullying and jealousy on the
behaves properly, try letting him off the lead. part of the adult cat. If it looks like the older cat is picking on
the kitten, keep the two apart
until the newcomer is more
able to look after itself.
Remember, this is the older
cat’s territory and his natural
instinct is to protect it from
interlopers, however small.
Make sure that the older
cat gets his share of love
and attention, and reward
him with treats for good
behavior. The two will
gradually get used to
each other and develop
a companionable truce.

ACCEPTING ADULT
Adding a new kitten into the
household does not usually
threaten an adult cat’s
dominance. The older cat will
most likely tolerate the kitten,
understanding its playfulness to
be part of its natural behavior.