Fur-st Impressions
There are many pros to having two pets: They can become playmates and cuddle buddies, and even learn good behavior from each other. But without a smooth introduction, things can get hairy—fast. The good news: It just takes a little know-how to get things off on the right paw. Click for strategies to make initial meetings between two dogs, two cats and a dog and a cat go swimmingly.
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Dog Meets Dog
With dogs, a low-key first impression goes a long way. Arrange their get-together on leashes outdoors and ask a friend to hold one dog while you take the other. A head-on encounter can be off-putting, so walk one up alongside the other, and have treats on hand to reward good social behavior.
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Cat Meets Cat
Felines need a long time to acclimate to any other animal, so make sure your cats can keep their distance at first. Close off a room where your new cat can live for a few days. The cats will be able to smell each other, which helps them get used to the idea of another cat in the house. Then swap their spaces.
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Dog Meets Cat
Tire out the dog first—the calmer he is, the better the meeting will go. Then, encourage the cat to jump to higher ground (like a counter the dog can't reach) so the cat can watch safely from above. Until they're used to each other, separate them with a gate or closed door and supervise their time in shared areas.
Consider their personalities, though: As with humans, some pets just don't click, and a big age gap or divergent temperaments will make it tough for them to get along. If you have a 13-year-old dog or cat, for example, an energetic 8-week-old puppy or kitten can be an upsetting roommate. Ideally, the pair should have similar social habits and energy levels.
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