What is the best way to introduce cats into a home with dogs?

[SurrepTRIXus]

Some time in the next week or two I will be adopting two cats. They are both about 4 months old. I already have two dogs, and I wanted to make sure they don't freak each other out when they're introduced. The cats have been fostered in a home with two dogs, a lab and a pitbull. My dogs are a 6 year old Olde English Bulldog (who is so lazy, he probably wouldn't notice or care about the cats) and a 2 year old mutt (possibly a lab/pit mix?) named Loki. For the sake of our furniture, Loki is often closed off in the kitchen when we go out, so he's used to being in there, although he really doesn't like it. Except for that, both dogs are used to having free roam of the house and sleep in our bedroom with us at night.

I already have a large cat tree set up, with the hope that the cats can go there if the dogs are harassing them at any point.

What would be the best way to make this transition and introduction as smooth as possible? Is there anything I can do to get the dogs used to it before the cats come home?

 

[Paula]

A blanket, bed or toys of the dogs. They need to get their scent. First, when you bring them home. Limit them to one room with no dogs but have a few of the dogs things in there. That's probably best for the first night then open the door. Don't force them out to the dogs. Let them come out, if they get scared they'll probably run back into the room but that's okay because then they'll have their safety. Give them a few days or possibly a week to adjust. With them being only 4 months old, I think they'll manage fine. They're young so don't know any different. Give them treats when they do come out and make sure you are present the first few times they meet. Just to see how it goes.

 

[mist]

Try to rub the cats scent of a rag. pet the cats with a rag and leave in your home so the dogs and get used to the scent. Its good that the cats have been around dogs before. You need for awhile supervise the interaction btwn them. In time, they will tolerate each other, but be prepared for some hissing and barking. Dogs and Cats are Territorial. I would keep the cats enclosed in a room when u aren't around for awhile, then let them out when u are around.