Dogs and cats: how to help them become friends

Ann-Kathrin Schäfer

9.4.2026

Translation: Jessica Johnson-Ferguson

Are you thinking of getting a cat to keep your dog company – or vice versa? I asked two experts how you can help them get along.

«Like cat and dog» is what you say when two people can’t stand each other. And yet it’s not uncommon for both animals to live together in the same household. I’m also toying with the idea of adopting cats to join my dog.

I just wonder if it can work. And if so, how? To find out, I asked two people who should know, not least because they’ve already managed numerous dog and cat introductions: Astrid Becker, president of the Aargau Animal Welfare Association (ATS), and Mercy Effila, manager of the ATS animal shelter in Untersiggenthal.

Do people often come to the shelter wanting to adopt both a dog and a cat?
Mercy: Yes, that does happen every now and then.

Why do people even think of keeping these two species together?
Mercy: Even in the old days, people kept dogs and cats together on farms. The dogs as companions and cats to catch mice and rats. Farms offered the animals lots of space to roam around. Today, most people live in apartments or small houses, but the human craving for the company of animals has remained.

The dream scenario is for the dog and cat to be snuggled up together in a bed. How realistic is that?
Astrid: This usually works very well. And sometimes the cat ends up in the dog’s big bed and the dog in the cat’s basket. (laughs)

How does this kind of friendship develop? After all, cats and dogs don’t usually get along when they cross paths outside.
Mercy: For one, they’re both mammals. This means they develop their own way of communicating with each other. I’d even go so far as saying that they’re better at communicating with each other than we humans are with them. Dogs learn to accept cats in their pack and are known to protect everyone who’s part of it.

What are the main sources of misunderstandings between the two species?
Mercy: One major difference in communication is direct eye contact. For a dog, direct eye contact is a threat; for a cat it’s a sign of friendliness. Cats look you in the eyes and blink when they like you; dogs turn their heads away.

In your experience, what are the key factors for a successful friendship between a dog and a cat?
Mercy: Puppies and kittens get along from the get-go. It also helps if an animal’s already had positive experiences with the other species. A cat that’s been chased down the street by a dog will rarely want to snuggle up to one. The cat may accept the dog, but they probably won’t become friends. Astrid: The dog breed also plays a role. Retrievers, for example, are very sociable, whereas traditional hunting dogs aren’t as well-suited to living with cats.

What ultimately determines successful co-living?
Mercy: Patience and positive reinforcement.

Have you seen animals that just clicked?
Mercy: Yes, we recently placed a brawny American Bulldog. I never would’ve thought he’d be good with cats. But the owner, who has two cats, was convinced it would work out. We, on the other hand, were all sceptical. Now they all lie on the sofa together and share the same bowl. The owner sensed that this would happen, and his positive attitude and trust certainly helped. Astrid: We’ve seen some really cute things, like a Golden Retriever licking the cats until they were soaking wet.

Have you ever seen cases where things didn’t go so smoothly?
Mercy: Yes, there was one time a family got a new dog. After that, their cat stopped coming home and would pee in the apartment. It’s always tough if a cat was there first.

How come?
Mercy: You can work with dogs, as they’re socialised with humans and are pack animals. Cats, on the other hand, aren’t keen on sharing their home and are more independent.

I already have a dog – a Labrador who’s almost ten years old and has never lived with cats. What are the chances that he could get along with cats?
Mercy: They’re very high. My dog was the same age when I adopted a cat.

Nice! How did that go?
Mercy: Really well. Even despite the fact that my dog would regularly chase cats outside. When I brought the cat home, my dog was mainly scared. She was thrown by the fact that an animal she usually chases was in the apartment. But the cat didn’t run away, so chasing it wasn’t any fun. They didn’t become very close, but they did accept each other. And that went really well.

What can pet owners do to make the union a successful one?
Mercy: We recommend swapping scents. Rub the dog down with a towel and give it to the cat and vice versa. Exchanging hairs from their respective brushes is even better. Just make sure there’s no smell of perfume or laundry detergent. Astrid: Scents are the be all and end all for animals.

What should you consider when a new pet moves in?
Mercy: Start off by separating them. With a baby gate, for example. Astrid: This allows them to have a sniff of each other. At a later stage, put the dog on a lead and open the gate. Mercy: A quick, ten-minute session is good enough at first. Reward calm behaviour by using a calm voice and giving the dog treats. If that goes well, you can increase the length of the session.

How can you tell if things are going well?
Mercy: When the dog’s relaxed, lies down and closes its eyes. And when your cat’s movements look normal and not crouched.

What are the warning signs to break things off?
Mercy: If the animals start going for each other. Meaning, if the dog starts growling and lunges forward. And if the cat’s tail fluffs up, its ears point forward and it runs towards the dog. That’s when you have to shield the dog’s eyes. But the latter usually only happens outdoors when a feral cat’s chased by a dog. Astrid: It’s very important to stay calm in these situations. Animals can sense stress even before you notice it yourself. Separate the animals, but don’t scold them. Instead, stop the dynamic by taking the dog for a walk, for example. If you punish the animals, you’ll end up doing more harm than good. Instead, take a deep breath, ignore it and count to ten.

How long does it usually take for a dog and a cat to get used to each other?
Mercy: When a cat moves in, the 3-3-3 rule applies. That’s three days to settle in, three weeks to adjust and three months to feel at home. You can also apply this rule to introducing dogs and cats to each other. If the animals are young, it tends to take less time. Astrid: In any case, it’s best to let things take their course without interfering, provided nobody’s getting hurt. Animals sort out a hierarchy among themselves. It’s like siblings who argue from time to time, but still love each other.

How can you tell if your pets aren’t getting along?
Mercy: A dog will show signs of frustration. Some will pee up the cat tree. However, most dogs eventually accept any new housemate. Astrid: Cats tend to withdraw, stop playing or stop using the litter box. As animals can’t speak, they’ll use other ways to show you they’re unhappy. Making small adjustments can often make a big difference. But if things are going really badly, you should give up the new pet. As tough as that is.

What’s the most important factor for a successful socialisation between a dog and a cat?
Mercy: Patience, patience, patience. Astrid: I also think it’s important that the first animal stays number one. It needs to get just as much attention and love as before, so there’s no jealousy.

Ann-Kathrin Schäfer

Editor freelance

simon.balissat@digitecgalaxus.ch

I'm really a journalist, but in recent years I've also been working more and more as a pound cake baker, family dog trainer and expert on diggers. My heart melts when I see my children laugh with tears of joy as they fall asleep blissfully next to each other in the evening. They give me inspiration to write every day - they've also shown me the difference between a wheel loader, an asphalt paver and a bulldozer. more

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