How should I introduce my golden retriever to my cat?

[Tiffany Scott]

My family is getting a golden retriever very soon, and we want it to not play with the cat right off the bat, and we don't want the cat to attack it either. We were going to keep the dog in the cage for a few days, letting it out to do it's business, so it can know that our home is his home. The cat would be able to walk around and hiss at it or whatever, but the dog would be in the cage, so the cat couldn't get to it. Is that a good idea, or would it be cruel to the dog? We're getting it as a puppy.

 

[hollywood]

Gradually, is the key here. And introduce them in an environment controlled by you. Maybe start by separating them into different rooms, and when you leave with the dog, let the cat explore the room you had the dog in to get used to the scent. And vice versa. Then let the cat and dog sniff each other through a cracked door, and if the dog responds positively with good behavior, reward him. After a few encounters of them peeking through a door for a few seconds, extend the time as long as the dog isn't showing signs of wanting to pounce the cat. Eventually work up to being able to put a baby gate in the door frame and let the dog watch the cat from there. Eventually the cat may even become curious and make their way over the gate, but leave the gate standing so if the cat feels threatened it has a safe way of retreating without the dog following.

This worked for us and our 6 mo Malamute mix and our 1 yo cat. Now they eat together, drink together, play together, and even sleep in the same crate! GOOD LUCK!

 

[StellaStarfire]

If you keep the dog in the cage for the whole day for the first couple of days, he'll think that his crate is his home and be in there all the time.