Set the house up first
Give the cat a high perch and a room the dog cannot enter (baby gate with a cat-sized gap, or a closed door and microchip cat flap). Litter, food and water should sit well away from the dog’s path.
Walk the dog first so they are calmer. Keep high-value chews and cat food off the floor during early weeks.
Step-by-step
- Swap scent for a few days: rub a cloth on each animal and leave it in the other’s space.
- Let the cat investigate the dog’s bedding while the dog is out of the house.
- First visual contact through a gate or cracked door — seconds, not minutes. Reward the dog for looking away.
- Short leashed sessions in a shared room. End while both are still calm.
- Build time together over 1–3 weeks. Separate whenever you cannot watch.
Stop and reset if you see this
Hard staring, lunging, cornering, or a cat that stops eating or using the litter tray means go back to scent-only. A chase that “looks like a game” can still terrify a cat.
Puppies and high-prey-drive breeds need extra structure. A trainer who works with mixed households can help if you stall.
General household advice only — not a behaviour consult. Seek a vet or qualified behaviourist if either animal is fearful or aggressive.