Expert: Renee Cox - 1/29/2008

Question
I have a rescued one year old male boxer.  Sweetest thing in the world to my family and my female 10 month old Weimariner.  We have had to get a cat due to a mouse problem.  So we got a 1.5 year old dominant siamese male.  My Boxer has killed 3 possums in his time with us so I'm
really nervous about introducing the cat to him.  The cat will be staying inside.  The dogs come in at night and when we are home.  Is there a safe way to introduce?  

Answer
Hi Julie. My best advice would be to put the cat in a room with a door, and his litterbox of course. Give the cat some kind of bedding, a blanket even, to sleep on. Let the dog smell the blanket. Then, put the cat in a different room, and allow your dog in the first room that the cat stayed in. This way, he can take in all of the kitty smells. If you can, put up a baby gate, with the dog on one side, and the cat on the other. Let them meet for the first time this way. You can judge from the dog's reaction how it will work. Boxers are known to not like cats, that's why I suggest doing it this way. Put the dog on a leash when you introduce them. If he acts like he's going to go after the cat, tell him 'NO', and make him sit. If worse comes to worse, you may have to get the help of a trainer. It may go off without a problem though. Just take the introduction slowly, and allow the dog to get use to the cat's smell. The cat may want to have nothing to do with the dog, and they may end up ignoring each other. It's best to be safe however. I also suggest the use of baby gates, and make sure the cat has an escape route. Good luck!