Introducing other pets to your cat

Unless cats are appropriately exposed to pets of other species during the socialisation period, the may never be comfortable or safe in close proximity to them. However, bringing kittens up to view other household pets as part of their own social group is sometimes possible.

Supervision
Supervision is key to making a success of the enterprise and cats should never be left un-attended with any pet from a prey species, no matter how well bonded the may appear to be. Equally, when introducing a resident dog, never leave them unsupervised.

Refuges
Make sure that your cat can quickly escape to his sanctuary or an elevated observation post. It is important to maintain a degree of separation between pets, especially where dogs are concerned, so that the cat feels safe in one part of the home.

Smaller pets
It is important to be aware that for many small furies, such as hamsters, even the scent of a cat is bad news. This is embedded into their evolution that a cat is one of their predictors.  So once again, we must take care in not to allow them access to smaller pets from prey species, as well as ensuring we don't pet our cat, then handle our tiny companions as that may send them into a fear induced state.

Cats and dogs
Care should be taken when introducing cats to dogs. The breed, temperament, age and degree of control we are able to exert are important issues when introducing them to a new feline companion.
A poorly trained dog should never be introduced to a cat and exceptional care should be taken with terriers.

Obedience
Brush up on your dogs obedience training before the new cat arrives. You need to feel confident that he will obey commands to leave and sit.