| It's important that you make a plan before introducing your cat to your new dog. Following the steps below will help. |  |
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1.
Let your cat see your dog. Let your cat see your dog, but don't force them to be together. Your cat can be up high on a counter or shelf where he likes to be. Or you can let your cat look at your dog from behind a sliding glass door. Don't hold your cat because you might get scratched if he is scared. |
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2.
Choose a 'safe area' for your pets to meet. After your cat seems comfortable just looking at the dog, introduce them, but only in a 'safe area.' This is a place where the cat can get away quickly without hurting himself. A 'safe area' would not be outside because your cat could get scared and run into the street. |
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3.
Allow the dog into the 'safe area' room. You might want to have a leash on your dog for control. Allow your cat to move around the room, climb up high, or even leave the room if he is frightened. Let your cat just watch your dog from his safe place up high. |
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4.
Give your cat and dog lots of time to get to know each other. It may take a long time before they're best friends. It's possible that they will learn to live together, and still never be best friends. |
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5.
Always provide places for your cat to escape and have some privacy. Closets and rooms that your dog can't get into can provide a 'safe area' for your cat. For example you might have your parent put a four inch hook on a door. Then the door can be left open 4 inches, the cat can go in, but the dog can't fit in the opening. |
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Your cat may not want to eat when your dog is around. Try placing your cat's food and water dishes on a counter. |
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Think carefully about your plan before you bring your new dog home. If you are prepared, your dog and cat will have a very happy introduction! |
Here are some cute books about cats and dogs:
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 Danger,
the Dog Yard Cat, by Shelley GillFrom an Amazon.com young reader: Danger is a cat that got adopted at a dog pound. The lady who adopted him ran a Iditarod. Danger didn't like the dogs very much, but he had a buddie called Mud Shark. When the leader of the Iditarod got hurt, there was not another dog that could take his place, so Danger had to be the leader that time. The iditarod race ended up as a dream. I like this book because it is funny. Ages 9-12 |
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I
Am the Dog I Am the Cat, by Donald Hall
and Barry Moser From and Amazon.com reader: I thought this book was the best when I was a kid, and I still love it! It is one of the cutest books I have ever read! I am now in the 8th grade, and I used this book for a speech competition with my friend. We got a superior (not to brag or anything). Ages 4-8 |
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A
Cat and a Dog, by Claire Mazurel and Bob
Kolar Claire Masurel's simple text and Bob Kolar's bright, bold illustrations combine in this charming picture book for the very young, a humorous look at the age-old battle of cats and dogs that demonstrates how a simple act of kindness can turn an enemy into a friend. Ages Baby to Preschool |
Here
are a couple of dog and cat craft books
that your parents can help you with:
 
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