It is possible for cats and dogs to live in harmony despite being different species with very different natures. A peaceful relationship between the pets in the house is extremely important as it will allow you to enjoy your animals without any concern.
Discover in this article on our site these 5 tips for coexistence between dogs and cats to start enjoying a harmonious coexistence in your home.
1. Respect the organization of each species
Dogs organize their society in a herd through their own hierarchy that they mark themselves. On the contrary, cats are solitary animals that simply defend their territory. This difference can cause conflicts to start. From this we can deduce that we must respect the hierarchy that they themselves establish, without constantly intervening or scolding attitudes that seem negative to us, they will organize themselves.
two. Introduce the animals
It doesn't matter if the new pet is the cat or the dog. It is a very important moment, and you should try to avoid overexcitement so that both of you appear calm, you can make the introductions after a dog exercise session, for example.
What should we do to introduce both pets?
- Do not pick up the cat, it can scratch you, we also recommend that you cut its nails so that it cannot hurt the dog if the encounter goes wrong.
- Present them in a spacious and large place and preferably with the dog on a leash. The cat, for its part, must be able to escape to a shelf, for example.
- Watch them and let them look and smell each other.
- If the behavior is correct and both pets are calm, you will let them interact. If, on the other hand, they appear surly, don't worry, it's very common, it may take a while for them to accept themselves.
How do I get both pets to get along?
If the meeting has been very negative and both pets are restless and nervous about the presence of the other, you should work with both, reinforcing with your voice (Very good!) or with treats the attitudes that you consider positive: being calm, relaxed, etc.
Don't make the mistake of dividing your home into two zones, one for each animal, because then it will be very difficult for them to be tolerated once time passes.
Ideally, wait a while for both animals to start living together respecting each other. This can take weeks, even months. Although they will not always create a strong bond, getting them to tolerate each other is enough for a good coexistence.
3. Start living together from the first stage of life
Coexistence between dog and cat does not necessarily have to be bad, on the contrary. Encouraging your two pets to learn tricks and commands as well as rewarding them whenever they get along correctly is essential.
You must take care of the positive education from the first day of coexistence, remember that man and the processes of domestication have made it possible for These two animals, which in nature would never coexist, live in calm and harmony. Make your house a happy home for both of you.
4. Give them food in separate areas
We cannot forget that both dogs and cats are predatory animals, this indicates that it is very easy to start a dispute over the food that can end with a bite or a claw, to avoid it without incident is that each pet eats in a different space and separated from the other animal. Over time and if they become friends you won't need to separate them.
Nor should you allow one to eat the other's food, make them respect each other whether there is food involved or not, at least in your presence.
5. Toys for everyone
Although it seems like an obvious piece of advice, it is important to emphasize this point because this advice is more useful than it may seem. Jealousy and the desire for a toy can make a dog-cat relationship much worse.
Dogs are social in nature and cats have a more lively predatory instinct. These very different behaviors are mitigated by the use of toys that channel the hunting instinct in cats thus avoiding predatory behavior, it will externalize its nature harmlessly. Otherwise, the dog will find in the toy an object that belongs to him, something else that will make the dog feel safe and in a real home.
Provide several toys to each one of different colors, shapes and some that emit noise, they will thank you and you will also provide them with a real distraction when you are not there.
However, if you notice that your dog is intolerant when there are toys around, it could be resource protection.
