How to introduce m6 dog to a cat

[HarlotOTara]

Hi,

I have a 2 year old golden retriever, he is a very gentle dog very nosey and interacts well with other dogs. However, he has never met a cat and only seen them whilst walking on a lead. My dd has a cat and needs to bring it for Christmas. The cat will be safe in room away from my dog whilst with us. However I want to introduce my dog to the cat before Christmas. My thinking is to take my dog to my dd’s flat, have loads of dog treats and my dog on a lead, after a good long walk and then…..?

Looking for advice and suggestions about how to manage this as safely and gently as possible.

Dcat on a high surface? Not sure a dcat will be forgiving of a great huge hairball in it's home!! Baby gate at your home and keep ddog behind it. Dcat can observe or go hide...

If the cat will be in another room while it stays, I'd probably not bother with an introduction at all. My cats don't like our dog and avoid her at all costs and that's in their own home. In another house they'd be petrified as they wouldn't know where to run to. I'd just think about whether they really need to meet?

Don’t distress the cat by taking your dog to visit , a one off meeting is really going to make no difference in the long run . Just ensure that the cat stays in a secure room whilst he’s with you .