By Beth MacLeod, CPDT-KA, Baypath Behavior & Training Coordinator

• Before bringing your dog home, make sure there is a “safety room” or rooms, places the cat(s) can access but the dog cannot. A baby-gate the cat(s) can jump over or a cat-door can accomplish this. 
• It is important that the cat can retreat and regroup and relax in a place away from the dog and then venture forward into “dog territory” at her own pace.
• The cat should have access to food, water and litter in this area so no interactions with your new dog are forced. Never hold the cat into proximity by holding her or otherwise restricting her desire to escape.
• For the first introduction, have the dog on a leash in case he explodes into chase. If it seems to be going well, drop the leash (leave it hanging) and supervise closely. 
• If the dog is behaving in a friendly and/or cautious way, try not to intervene in their interactions, except to praise and reward your dog for good behavior.
• Interrupt any chase and try to redirect your dog’s attention to another activity (this is sometimes hard to accomplish and therefore “management” between dog and cat may be necessary until things are worked out).
• Don’t leave them together unsupervised until you are confident there is no potential harm to either.
• Give plenty of extra attention to the cat so she does not associate this change with reduced attention and affection!
• Dogs will eat cat food and may eat cat feces – keep both out of reach from your dog.

For more information, see this great article from Best Friends.