How to introduce a new dog to an anxious cat when dog sitting?
Updated On September 23rd, 2025
Pet's info: Cat | Mixed Breed | Female | spayed
Hi there, I am going to be dog sitting a friend’s dog, however I have a cat who is generally quite anxious. Any advice on how to make this a easy as possible for my cat.
2 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Published on May 24th, 2019
I suggest you put some Feliway diffusers in your house starting about a week before the dog is to come over. This is basically "happy cat" pheromones and they really work to decrease stress. Their website has a lot of great information. ( https://www.feliway.com/uk/Products/FELIWAY-CLASSIC-Diffuser ) Also, make a "safe space" for your cat so that, if needed, she can get away from the dog. The best way to do this is to put a baby gate up across the door to one room so that the cat can get in but the dog can't. Put the litter box, food and water in there. Hope this helps. Best wishes.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Related Answers from Veterinarians
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Published on April 9th, 2017
It must be so stressful for Princess to have a new dog in the home! You are doing exactly the right thing by keeping her food and litter separated with the gate, but it does sound like she is stressed. I would get a Feliway diffuser for her, which helps cats with anxiety. I'd also keep the dog and Princess in separate rooms from each other divided by the gate. It will give her a safe space of her own where she can smell the dog but not be in contact with it. Once she's more comfortable with the dog, you can remove the gate. I would also get her a cat tree so she can escape from the dog as needed.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
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I have a 5yr old silver bengal... I was asked to dogsit a 3yr old small dog... I want to dogsit at my house...with my cat here... is this possible?
It depends on the personality of your cat and the incoming dog. If your cat is at all skittish, or has never seen a dog before you should proceed with caution. It may be stressful for your cat to have a dog around. If the dog has never been around cats the stress level could increase. If both the dog and your cat are pretty laid back it could be just fine. I'd keep them separated for a day if you do decide to try dogsitting and then start a gradual introduction. Feliway or similar pheromone sprays can help reduce stress for your kitty as well: https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/cat/cat-health-and-wellness/cat-diffusers/comfort-zone-calming-diffuser-kit-for-cat
Updated on September 24th, 2025
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I just rescued a dog, and already have two cats. I've had the cats since they were kittens, and they are 3 years old, but have never been around dogs. My dog is a 3 year old pit bull, and was "cat tested" at the SPCA and they said he did well. At ho
Cats are easily stressed by any changes in their environment, so it may take them several weeks to get comfortable with their new roommate :) It's definitely good that the dog doesn't chase them or pay much attention to them. To help make them more comfortable, make sure that they have a safe area such as a spare bedroom or office, that the dog does not have access to. This area should have their food and water bowls, litter boxes, scratching posts or cat trees, toys, etc. This way, they always have a safe haven to go back to if they get anxious or uncomfortable around the dog. You can also try using Feliway pheromone diffusers around the house, along with a daily natural calming supplement such as Zylkene or Composure to see if this helps.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
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My cat is almost 12 years old and I've had him his whole entire life. Junior has always gotten very upset around dogs and to his luck I'm moving into an apartment soon and a small dog will be present. What special measures can I take to make sure the
Great question! I can give you a method of introducing Junior to this dog that will hopefully allow them to live together in peace. Introducing them should be done slowly. When you first move into your new home, I would keep them in rooms separated by a door. This way, they can get used to the smells and sounds of each other without contact. Make sure Junior has a litter box, food, and water in their room. You can also place a blanket with the dog's smell in his room, and a blanket with theJunior's smell in the dog's room. I would also consider get a Feliway for your cat and a DAP for the dog. These are pheromone diffusers that help with anxiety and should also help ease the transition. Once both pets seem relaxed with the current situation, swap rooms placing Junior in the dog's room and vice versa. You can do this switch several times over the course of the introductions. Once they are both comfortable with the smells of each other, it's time for them to meet face to face.
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Great questions! Given that Benny has severe travel anxiety, it would be best for you and him to move in first so that he can get used to his new place. Then your best friend and boyfriend should move it with their dog. I can give you a method for introducing them to each other: Introducing them should be done slowly. When they first bring their dog home, I would keep them in rooms separated by a door. This way, they can get used to the smells and sounds of each other without contact. Make sure Benny has a litter box, food, and water in his room. You can also place a blanket with the dog's smell in the cat's room, and a blanket with the cat's smell in the dog's room. I would also consider get a Feliway for your cat and a DAP for the dog. These are pheromone diffusers that help with anxiety and should also help ease the transition. Once both pets seem relaxed with the current situation, swap rooms placing Benny in the dog's room and vice versa. You can do this switch several t
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How do you help an older cat (8 years) get along with a younger dog (2 years)? The cat is adopted from a shelter and was previously just roaming the streets. The dog has never been around a cat before, only other dogs. He is not hostile toward her, j
The key is with slow introductions. Adding in barriers or baby gates that your cat can get over but your dog can't can also make it easier for your cat to get away if they need. It is also a good idea to make sure your cat has access to their own access to food, water, litterboxes, and bedding/hiding places without your dog being able to harass them. Adding in a pheromone diffuser such as Comfort Zone in shared spaces can also help with stress. You also only want to let them interact when you are home to supervise as even the best behaved dog can still accidentally injure a smaller cat. Otherwise, giving them time to observe and interact, and separating them if they become too stressed can help during the adjustment period.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
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My cat has lived with dogs and cats before. We have been living just him and I though for the past two years. Whenever he has come into contact with animals since then he gets very defense (hisses, growls, etc.) there is a possibility we could be mov
I would slowly introduce him to the dogs. When you first bring your cat home, I would keep them in rooms separated by a door. This way, they can get used to the smells and sounds of each other without contact. Make sure your cat has a litter box, food, and water in his room. You can also place a blanket with the dogs's smell in the cat's room, and a blanket with the cat's smell in the dogs's room. I would also consider get a Feliway for your cat and a DAP for the dogs. These are pheromone diffusers that help with anxiety and should also help ease the transition. Once all the pets seem relaxed with the current situation, swap rooms placing the cat in the dogs's room and vice versa. You can do this switch several times over the course of the introductions. Once they are all comfortable with the smells of each other, it's time for them to meet face to face. I would introduce the dogs on a leash to the cat while he is in a cat carrier or on the other side of a baby gate. Reward th
Updated on September 24th, 2025
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My cat's bonded cat friend recently passed away. He's been more vocal than usual, and taking more time to eat than usual, but still completing his meals. I'm concerned however because I don't think he eats when I'm not around. I'm leaving in 4 days a
I would use Feliway. It is a pheromone diffuser that releases these pheromones into the room and helps cats who may have problems with anxiety. That should help calm him down a bit and keep him relaxed. You can also introduce him to the pet sitter before you leave. Have them come over once or twice so Cheshire knows this person and may feel more comfortable with them coming over.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
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What is the best way to introduce our new cat to our current dogs?
Great question! Introducing them should be done slowly. When you first bring Mousewhisker (I love his name!) home, I would keep them in rooms separated by a door. This way, they can get used to the smells and sounds of each other without contact. Make sure your cat has a litter box, food, and water in their room. You can also place a blanket with the dogs's smell in the cat's room, and a blanket with the cat's smell in the dogs's room. I would also consider get a Feliway for your cat and a DAP for your dogs. These are pheromone diffusers that help with anxiety and should also help ease the transition. Once all the pets seem relaxed with the current situation, swap rooms placing the cat in the dogs's room and vice versa. You can do this switch several times over the course of the introductions. Once they are all comfortable with the smells of each other, it's time for them to meet face to face. I would introduce the dogs on a leash to the cat while he is in a cat carrier or on
Updated on September 24th, 2025
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Good on you for introducing them slowly! I would use a DAP diffuser. This releases pheromones that help with anxiety in dogs. You can pain this with a Sentry calming collar for the dogs. When in contact with their skin, it also releases pheromones. This may help with their anxiety around the kittens. If this method doesn't help, I would take them into the vet to discuss using anti-anxiety drugs. Best of luck, I hope this helps!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
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Hi, thanks for using Boop by Petco! I would ask your Veterinarian for an oral sedative for you to give 2 hours before travel. I would use the Feliway spray in his carriage. Once you arrive at your new home, he should be kept in a room by himself away from the other animals for a week then use a baby gate at the door for the him to see and greet the other cat and dog. Do that for a week, then remove the gate. be sure he has access to this room to run away if he needs to. This room can be your bedroom. Use the Feliway diffuser in this room. If there is aggression between the cats use the Feliway Multicat I wish you the best! https://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=37241 https://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=37240 https://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=37242
Updated on September 24th, 2025
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