Generally it's fair to say that it's easier the younger the two pet are and that it takes a lot of patience and love in the first place to teach them to live together in harmony.
How can I get my Cat and Dog to get used to each other?
Subsequent we listed a few tips and tricks that you should take into account when you want your cat and dog to get along.
The Dog has to match the Cat
Compatible minds are a basic requirement for a peaceful life with both cat and dog beneath your roof.
If you have a dominant senior tom cat with a healthy self-esteem the dog in contrast should be devote. That way no fights for the leading position will be fought in your home.
A shy and anxious cat on the other hand fits best with a calm and older dog who won't corner the cat through playful hunting and barking.
In most cases the wisest thing to do is to get a pup to give your cat the opportunity to get used to the dog slowly and without distress. Your cat will recognize that your new dog is still a baby and will treat it that way in a softer an forgiving manner.
A pup also will never go for your cat's throat since he hasn't learned yet that dogs usually hate cats... ;)
Divided Environments
Regardless of how nice you think it will be when your future dog shares its sleeping-place with your cat and eats from the same feeding-dish, during the lead time both cat and dog have to have enough places for a fallback procedure.
That means that especially the cat's feeding and sleeping places have to be at a height that the dog can't reach them. Also the litter box should be put into a higher place (at least as long as the lead time takes) because especially young and agile dogs tend to disrupt a cat during its use of the toilet or even eat its dung.
And a cat that's being disrupted all the time when she wants to go to the toilet will look for other places very soon - for example the garden or even your bed.
Give enough Attention
As soon as a new pet is introduced to its new home all attention is naturally and automatically given to the new one. The old (and probably boring?) cat therefore feels alone, unloved and even insulted.
Think about this: In most cases a cat isn't moody because a dog is in the house now but because it feels neglected by you! Therefore if you spend attention to both your cat and your dog both pets will feel loved and will have an easier way of becoming friends with one another.
A few Marginal Hints
To teach your cat and dog to live together there are a tricks and knacks that will help you to deal with the task.
Mark their territories
It's a common trick to keep the dog in only one room for the first week or so. Don't close that room's door as usual, though, but with an approximately 1m high panel that won't leave the dog out but allow the cat to jump into room. For small dogs like a Yorkshire Terrier the panel can be less high, of course.
The cat who loves to decide on its own when to meet the new roommate will chose the right time to jump over into the "dog-room" and also has the freedom to leave it again when it thinks it's time. This approach is a good method - especially for anxious cats!
That way the cat also doesn't feel displaced from its territory and can slowly get used to the though of having to share its home with a dog.
Leash the Dog
If you're the owner of a brave and curious kitty you can assume that your wants to know from the beginning who the new roommate is. Instead of creating a barrier with a panel you can also put the dog on its leash and wait for the cat to get near the dog.
Not to force the cat is - again - essential here.
Lure your Cat
If your dog is living with you already for one or two weeks and your cat still didn't have the courage to meet it you can try to feed those two furry noses some special treats (like boiled chicken) at the same time.
You should start with both pets being apart from each other for about 10 to 15 meters and bring them closer each day.
Good luck (and love and patience) bringing your pets together!
Your Healthycat-Team
Picture CC 2.0 by Patti Haskins