Dogs and Cats Living Together?

Cats and dogs are notoriously famous for being thought of as arch enemies. From cartoons to movies, they are always being depicted as two animals that are always at each other’s throats. This makes it easy to assume that they are not meant to get along.  However, there is a way for these two seemingly opposite pets to be friends and live under the same roof in peace.

Dog and Cat making friends

The key to success when building a relationship between a cat and a dog has a lot to do with the individual traits possessed by each animal.  It is generally easier to build this relationship by starting off by introducing a young kitten to a dog that is a bit older.  Kittens are still a little bit more easy to mold than adult cats and while most cats will not eagerly run up to a dog to make friends, with a little bit of time an adjustment, it can be done.

Expect some hissing and spitting from your kitten.  When you bring home a new kitten and you begin initiating contact between your feline friend and your adult dog, you must be present at all times and expect the cat to display some fear by hissing and possibly spitting. This is just the way that cats express their fear as well as make an attempt to scare off a potential enemy.  In order to prevent your dog from reacting back towards this behavior, just grab your kitten when you see the hissing reaction taking place and then place her back down again to associate with the dog.

You might also try the method of “exposed isolation” to help them get to know each other.  Exposed isolation means just what it says: you want to isolate the cat in one area and the dog in another, yet have them both exposed so that they can see and stiff at each other.  When they get curious they will simply come closer to the gate and sniff each other out, slowly making friends.

These methods can help your pets get to know each other and become friends.  It just takes a little time and patience.  What stories do you have about pet integration?

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November 20, 2007 | Filed Under Pet Behavior 

Comments

2 Responses to “Dogs and Cats Living Together?”

  1. Angela Bassett on November 26th, 2007 5:31 pm

    Hi…I Googled for basset hounds, but found your page about and Cats Living Together? : Leading Edge Pet Care…and have to say thanks. nice read.

  2. Atomic Kitten on November 27th, 2007 9:46 am

    Hello…Man i just love your blog, keep the cool posts comin..holy Tuesday

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