How do I introduce a new cat to my dog?

The goal is to let both animals feel safe while they figure out that the other isn’t a threat. Rushing this can create permanent fear and aggression — go slow.

Start with a closed door between them. Keep the new cat in a separate room with its own food, water, and litter box for at least two to three days. Let them smell each other under the door. Swap their bedding so each gets familiar with the other’s scent without a face-to-face encounter. Feed them on opposite sides of the same door — this teaches both animals that good things happen when the other’s smell is nearby.

When both seem calm during mealtime at the door, do the first in-person introduction. Keep your dog on a short leash and let the cat roam freely — the cat needs an escape route back to its safe room. Keep the first session short, under 10 minutes, and end on a positive note with treats for both. Repeat daily, gradually increasing the time. Some pairs adjust in a week; others need a month. Don’t leave them unsupervised until you’ve seen multiple calm, uneventful interactions.