From Hiss to Harmony: Introducing a dog to your resident cat (Thursday, October 29, 2026)

Thu, 29 Oct 2026 08:00:00 GMT

Presented by Andrea Carne

A large percentage of pet guardians like to have both cats and dogs in the home, but introductions don’t always go well and what was envisaged as a harmonious fur family quickly escalates into a battle between the species.

When it comes to the resident feline, particularly one who has never shared their home with a canine before, this massive change to their environment can cause acute stress which, if left unmanaged, can lead to chronic stress and anxiety and subsequent declines in their physical and mental health.

Such outcomes can be avoided (or at least kept to a minimum) with some careful preparation and a better understanding of the differing behavioural needs of the two species.

This presentation will look at how to prepare a resident cat for the arrival of a canine friend, what to put in place once the new arrival is in the home, as well as some strategies to implement if things don’t go well.

Some real-life examples via case studies will help bring everything together.

If you missed this presentation at the recent PPGA Conference, here’s your chance for a reboot!

Learning Objectives

Identify strategies to prepare a resident cat for the arrival of a dog.

Explain the differing behavioural needs of the two species and how to manage both.

Discover real-life examples of how to build a harmonious relationship between the cat and dog in the home.

About The Presenter

Andrea Carne is a Feline Professional Member of PPGA and a Certified Cat Behaviour Consultant through the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC). She is also a Cert IV veterinary nurse and a qualified dog trainer through the Delta Institute where she began her career in animal behaviour and training.

Her business “Cattitude” was established in 2018, initially focused on in-home consultations with cat guardians in Hobart and surrounds. She has since expanded the business to include online consultations with clients across Australia and overseas.

From toileting problems, fearfulness and inter-cat conflict, to helping introduce felines to new ‘family additions’ (two legs and four), Andrea has helped clients from all walks of life to bring some purr-fect harmony to their home and build a better bond with their cats in the process.

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From Hiss to Harmony: Introducing a dog to your resident cat (Thursday, October 29, 2026)