Dogs And Cats – Can Your Dog And Cat Ever Become Friends?
December 22, 2008 | Filed Under: Dog Breeds
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.
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. It just takes time.
Use 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. A great way to do this is to get a baby gate and separate the two animals on either side in a room. Your cat now enough area to roam free, as well as your dog. And when they get curious they will simply come closer to the gate and sniff each other out, slowly making friends.
Do not get your hopes up
You have to realize that not all cats and dogs will get along no matter how much conditioning and training you involve them in. Some dogs have an increasingly high amount of predatory drive, depending on their breed.
You have to remember that dogs are hunters and have a natural instinct to chase. Before you consider purchasing a kitten it would be wise to do some research and ask specific questions about the type of breed of dog you have. An obvious example would be trying to bring a kitten into the house where an adult pitbull is living. It doesn’t take much common sense to know that this would be a mistake.
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If anything our Dogs love our mostly absent Cat too much.
Whenever they see him they go in to a wiggle frenzy and are constantly licking him and trying to get him to play.
I wish they could take a more sedate approach to the little monster!
Unfortunately, our cat and dog never did quite get along. But it was alright. We just gave them separate areas.
I think that it really depends on the adult pets demeanor in the first place. odds are if you play it correctly and follow the steps you talked about the young pet will be ok, but if the adult pet is too jealous or territorial there might be a problem no matter what. then again there is probably a certain amount of mystery in each pairing.
I think it is good advice to get a younger cat to mix with an older dog. Dog’s are for the most part more friendly and welcoming where as there is usually a longer adjustment period with cats. They can live together though, it just takes time.
I agree, older dogs do tend to be more accommodating to most things, and it makes sense because small cats don’t expect to rule the household at first so they can be used to the idea of a dog. but i know people who have gotten lucky with an older cat and puppy. luck never hurts.
I don’t know. I have always thought that dogs and cats wouldn’t normally be friends, maybe under the right circumstances, but i’ll have to read up before i get a dog for the house, we have enough cats as it is to get another pet.
I’ve seen many dogs and cats leave peacefully in the same home. I think there is an adjustment period for sure, but it can be done.
I find that if the cat was first pet the dog takes to them better. Not sure if the dog knows it was the cats home and they have to get along but it seems to work most of the time better that way. Your right some dogs and cats will never get along but sometimes they become best buddies and that is alot of fun.