The idiom “fighting like cats and dogs” has been around longer than most of us can remember. It can be a great way to describe people or animals that fight often, but it’s not always true for cats and dogs. In fact, cats and dogs can be great friends. While it can depend on their age, personalities and family life, it is possible.
The Truth About Cats & Dogs:
After watching reruns of Looney Tunes you can easily be convinced that cats and dogs would never, not ever, be friends. However, when they are raised together in a family, these two seemingly opposites can get along and even learn to love each other.
Sometimes there is a bit of a language barrier. Dogs are predators and often can’t help chasing animals smaller than them. Cats can sometimes interpret dogs “playful” behavior as aggression. These two different ways of communication can make it difficult for them to learn how to understand one another.
Tips for peaceful co-habitation:
- Don’t force their interactions
- Keep mealtimes separate
- Always supervise your pets until you know that they can get along
- Separate as needed when you’re not home or able to watch them
- Give them equal attention
How to introduce your pets:
Whether you are introducing your dog to a new cat or vice versa, it is always a little stressful. But that doesn’t mean canines and felines can’t form a bond just like any other member of the household. To make the transition smooth, it is helpful to know some tips on how to introduce them.
Katherine A. Houpt, a professor of Behavioral Medicine – Emeritus at Cornell University’s College of Veterinary Medicine sheds some insight on introductions. She says that if anyone is going to cause trouble first, it will the dog. Cats are often frightened and they run and as she states, “a dog often feels honor-bound to chase it. It’s important to nip that in the bud.” It’s imperative that your cat has a place to escape and that you teach your dog to not chase the cat. This equally goes for a new dog in the home or an old dog that is just meeting a new cat.
Start slowly with scents: When you first introduce a new animal to the home keep them in an isolated room. Get a pair of large socks or even hand towels that have no previous animal scent on them. Give one to each pet. Then after their scent is on them, exchange them with other pet. This will help them get familiar with the smell of one another.
Use a baby gate or a crate for introductions: If you can, use a baby gate for supervised and limited introductions. If you can’t, use a carrier or crate for the first meeting. They may get too excited and anxious, so make sure to look for signs agitation. Keep initial meetings short and sweet.
Always keep meals separate but give them meals at the same time: While using a baby gate or crate, serve meals to both pets at the same time and within view of one another. This will let them know that they are not in competition for meals, which is a natural place for conflict.
Dogs and cats are seemingly unlikely friends, but they can actually turn out to be best buds. Afterall they both love companionship and cuddles, so once they learn how to communicate with one another, they can easily make a best bud bond.