Experts from the British charity organization Dogs Trust (London) involved 4,500 pet dogs in their study, Generation Pup, which focused on introducing them to cats. According to the researchers, this introduction—especially the first day—is crucial for the future relationship between these pets. Statistics reveal that only about 10 percent of dogs remain calm and relaxed during their initial meeting with cats. The study’s findings emphasize the importance of allowing dogs and cats time to get used to each other, indicating that this acclimatization should occur gradually. Otherwise, the likelihood of conflicts between the animals increases significantly. Thus, a proper introduction is key to fostering a harmonious relationship between cats and dogs. Experts believe that one in five pet owners overlooks the gradual approach, which is essential for a successful introduction.
The Generation Pup cohort study is the largest of its kind, currently involving over 9,500 pet dogs.
When it comes to the speed of introductions and the age of the pets, animal behavior specialists found that 20.1 percent of pet owners immediately introduce a new puppy to their cats. Approximately 18.9 percent allocate only two hours for this process. Meanwhile, those owners who dedicate more time to introducing their furry companions significantly increase the chances of a positive interaction. Puppies that were introduced to resident cats over more than one day exhibited calmer and friendlier behavior. Over time, harmonious relationships developed between the animals.
As noted by Rachel Casey, an animal behavior researcher at Dogs Trust, it’s important that during the initial contacts, the cat has the opportunity to escape, perhaps by climbing to a high place where it feels safe from the dog. At the same time, the puppy should be trained to remain calm in the presence of the cat. One effective approach is to introduce the cat and dog in a quiet environment. It’s advisable to keep the puppy on a leash and to soothe it during the introduction. Casey added that the vast majority of dogs exhibit “undesirable” behavior, often aggressive, during their first meeting with a cat. According to her, younger animals tend to acclimatize to each other more easily, as reported by the Independent. The results of this research were presented at the New Scientist Live 2024 conference in London.