Episode 61

My cat won’t come downstairs because she’s so scared of the dog!

What do you do when when your resident animal is super stressed by their new housemate? Like so stressed that they don't feel safe enough to do the things they used enjoy? And what if the animals were initially "fine" together?

In this Dog and Cat Chat, Alicia and I brainstormed about how she could help her cat Cleo feel confident enough to come downstairs when Maisy (the dog) is around.

What you'll hear in this episode:

  • why you need to give your pets safe spaces and teach them how to get there
  • how to help a cat come down the stairs and up to their elevated safe spaces (without touching the floor)
  • when you might want to keep an eye out for your new pet's behavior to potentially change towards their housemates
  • and what does food motivation have to do with all of this?

Want to dive a bit deeper?

Find links to the resources I discussed in this episode and some bonus content in the full show notes: praiseworthypets.com/podcast-shownotes/61

Sign up for your own Dog and Cat Chat!

Go to praiseworthypets.com/chat to book your own free mini-coaching session.


And if you love the podcast and want to support me as I continue to create new episodes, join the other cat-and-dog people in the Podcast Supporters space inside the Cat and Dog Coexistence Club! Go to praiseworthypets.com/support-the-podcast to learn more ❤️


😺❤️🐶 😺❤️🐶 😺❤️🐶 😺❤️🐶

If you enjoyed this episode, please help me spread the word to other cat-and-dog people! You can:

Next Episode All Episodes Previous Episode

About the Podcast

Show artwork for It's Training Cats and Dogs!
It's Training Cats and Dogs!
The podcast for cat-AND-dog people.

Listen for free

About your host

Profile picture for Naomi Rotenberg

Naomi Rotenberg

MA, KPA-CTP
specializing in cat and dog integration

Hi! I'm Naomi, and I'm a "cat-and-dog person" 👋 My goal with this podcast is to speak to people with multi-species households who currently feel alone. There are lots of highs and lows when trying to manage the relationships between your animals. This podcast will give you clear, actionable information and guidance about the unique issues that come up between cats and dogs. And the monthly interviews with my fellow trainers who have cats and dogs will definitely help you realize that you aren't alone!

A bit about me: I'm a certified professional dog trainer (KPA-CTP) and have my MA in Animal Behavior and Conservation. I live in my own multi-species household in Philadelphia, PA with my husband, two human kids, Uri (a mini American Eskimo Dog), and Rio (a domestic shorthair cat). I also LOVE Twizzlers (the original kind, NOT pull-and-peel).

I look forward to getting to know you and your pets on your journey towards a more peaceful and safe coexistence!