Do Ragdoll Cats Get Along With Dogs: 5 Steps To Introduce Them

Most ragdoll cat owners who need a second pet always ask do ragdoll cats get along with dogs, in this article, we will be discussing that.

After reading this article, you should be able to introduce a dog to a resident ragdoll cat, and also find out the best breed of dog that suits ragdolls.

Before writing this article, I contacted many people who own both ragdoll and dogs as pets to get more information and their experience.

So what you get from this post is more of my interaction with real owners of both ragdoll cats and dogs, with little online research.

Ragdoll cats are known for their calm and laid-back demeanor, making them excellent lap cats. Ragdolls are a very social companion pet to both dogs and humans.

They are also known for their tolerance of other pets, which makes them an excellent addition to any home.

Table of Contents show

Do Ragdoll Cats Get Along With Dogs

Yes, Ragdoll cats get along with dogs because of their gentle, sweet temperament. Ragdolls are generally known for their calm and laid-back demeanor, making them an excellent companion and lap breed of cats.

They are also known for their tolerance of other pets, which makes them an excellent addition to any home.

Find out if ragdoll cats can be left alone and for how long!!!

Best dog for a Ragdoll cat

Here are the best breeds of dogs that get along with ragdoll cats:

Beagle
Golden Retriever
Basset Hound
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Labrador Retriever
Pug
Collie

Find out more about how to care for a Ragdoll cat!!!

Why do ragdoll cats need dogs as companion

Dogs helps ragdoll cats fight separation anxiety
Dogs helps ragdoll cats fight depression
Dogs help improve your ragdoll cat social life
Dogs keep ragdoll cats busy while you are away
They are a good companion to ragdoll cats.
Dogs helps your ragdoll cat get some amount of required exercise.
Dogs help improve ragdoll cat family bonding levels.
Dogs help ragdoll cats overcome boredom.

Find out common ways to entertain a ragdoll cat!!!

Items you need before bringing a new dog home

Here are some items you need before bringing a new dog home to live with your ragdoll cat:

A separate room for the new dog
Second drinking water can
A leash
Feeding can or plate
A dog bed
A vet recommended dog food
More play toys

Factors to consider before bringing a dog home for your ragdoll cat

The age of the dog
The age of the cat
Medical conditions of the dog
Medical conditions of the cat
The Personality of the dog
The Personality of the cat
Socialization status of the dog
Socialization status of the cat
The experiences of both the dog and cat.
The individual breed of the dog.
History of the dog breed.

Find out the pros and cons of letting your ragdoll cat go outside without your supervision!!!

Steps to introduce a dog to a Ragdoll cat

The following are the steps to introduce a dog to any ragdoll cat, or a ragdoll cat to a dog:

Step 1: Prepare your home for the arrival of the new dog

This stage includes setting up the new dog or cat’s personal space.

Clean the space and add the dog or cat bed, water container, litter box, cat trees, and other objects.

Here are some things to think about:

Ensure that all corners are clean by sweeping them.
Plan a little hiding area for your cat in the same room.
Putting the litter box in a convenient position.
Providing the new dog or cat with clean drinking water.
Keep a cat bed near the hideaway you’ve created.
Examine whether the room can be locked.

Find out the common ways cats can get worms from dogs!!!

Step 2: Bringing the new dog home

Before bringing the new puppy down from the automobile or whatever means of transportation you used, limit your resident ragdoll cat’s limits to avoid a surprise attack.

Regardless of how effectively you think you’ve socialized your ragdoll cat, make sure he doesn’t have access to the new dog.

Cats are superb hunters with natural hunting instincts and the ability to defend their territory by attacking.

Put the new dog in his or her own room so that he or she may explore the new house.

Allow the new dog time and room to acclimate to his new home, and check on him 3–4 times a day to see how he’s doing.

Make sure your new puppy has everything he or she requires, and plan a formal introduction once they’ve adjusted to their new surroundings.

How will you know when your new dog is ready to meet your ragdoll cat?

As soon as you enter the new dog room or space and the new dog gets brave and quits hiding.

Allow the new puppy to move at his or her own pace during this procedure.

Take your time, since meeting your ragdoll cat will require confidence and courage on the new dog’s part.

Step 3: Get ready to introduce the new dog to your ragdoll cat

When you initially bring a new dog home, the first thing you should do is get them both acclimated to each other’s natural scent.

Place one blanket on each pet’s bed, one for the dog and one for the cat.

Allow them to sleep on the blanket, then exchange it for both of them to absorb the natural scents of each other.

Additionally, two clean hand towels should be purchased, one for the dog and one for the cat.

A hand towel should be used to massage the cat’s cheeks or face.

Also, rub the towel all over the cat’s body to get the cat’s natural scent.

Rub the second towel over the dog’s armpit and neck region to acquire the dog’s natural scent.

Transfer the cat’s towel to the dog’s sleeping space, and the dog’s towel to the cat’s the sleeping area.

If both pets accept the scent swap, always reward them with a treat.

Step 4: Allow both pets to meet for the first time

To begin, place the pets behind a small gate barrier and let them observe each other.

Reward them for their calm demeanor and lack of bickering.

In the event of an unexpected assault, always leave a secure location for your cat to run and hide.

Similarly, provide a safe haven for the dog in the event of an unexpected attack.

Allow them to view each other via a small barrier gate or glass door before rewarding them and returning them to their quarters.

Keep a watch on how well the two creatures get along, especially the ragdoll cat, which is highly possessive.

Before going on to the next level, allow both pets to stay inside the barrier for two days at a time.

Step 5: Allow the dog and cat to explore each other face to face

Before allowing them to come face to face, make sure both species are familiar with each other and the smell.

Put the dog on a leash and let the cat investigate since the cat is the owner of the house and the dog is a new member of the family.

Both animals should be commended for their good manners and reluctance to flee from one other.

Allowing the dog off the leash for any reason is never ideal, and be on the lookout for anxiety symptoms.

If everything goes smoothly and the dog is comfortable, introduce a toy and let both dogs investigate each other and the toy.

Keep an eye on the dog at all times, and for the first several days, don’t look away from both dogs.

Ensure that your cat has access to shelves, cat trees, and hideaways.

It’s essential to give your cat the most authority possible during their first meeting.

Ensure that your dog is leashed and that your cat is free to roam. Your cat should be allowed to approach or avoid your dog at all times.

Find out the common reasons why ragdoll cats bite unnecessarily!!!

Important tips to help both pets adapt faster and happier

Here is a simple guideline for introducing any dog to ragdoll cats, which is as follows:

For the first several weeks, be cautious of both pets since anything can go wrong.
Never yell at any of the pet.
Don’t hurry through the procedure.
Always provide praise for positive behavior.
Provide a variety of fun toys.
Do not underestimate the destructive power of a dog on a cat.
Never leave both pets alone for more than a month.
Always make sure you offer the same amount of love and devotion to your partner.
Allow both pets to investigate each other before making a decision.
Repeat each step until you’re pleased with the results.

Find out reasons why cats find new homes!!!

How long will it take a Ragdoll cat to adjust to living with a dog

Because ragdoll cats are a sociable breed with wonderful personalities that like having a friend, it may take them one to four weeks to acclimate to living with a dog. It also has a lot to do with the dog’s personality and social abilities.

Find out more on why indoor cats run away from home!!!