How do you get a dog and a cat to get along
Are you thinking of getting a dog but are afraid your cat won't
like it? Do you have a cat and a dog but the two won't stop fighting?
We do not agree with the idea that cats and dogs naturally hate
each other. In many cases, we find the two species enjoying each other's
company and sometimes even embracing together.
Dogs and cats speak different languages, and they need us to help
them understand each other.
Undoubtedly, there are ways to help them adjust to living with each
other. By taking your time and understanding what each of your pet's needs, you
can create a happy, calm home with both a dog and a cat.
Here are nine things you can do
to train a dog and cat to get along:
Create a safe space for your cat by placing a
baby gate on the door of his favorite room. Put your cat's litter box in that
room and feed your cat somewhere out of the dog's reach. Try to provide some
pieces of furniture for your cat, which, through its height from the ground,
can see the dog.
A puppy may be the best choice for a cat
house. The size difference is less noticeable than that of an adult dog, and a
puppy will quickly learn a cat's boundaries and limits.
If you adopt your dog from a shelter and we
highly suggest you do, make sure as much as possible that the dog is familiar
with the cats and will interact with them safely.
If your cat has been socialized to understand
and live with dogs, you will be more likely to succeed as a 'dual animal'
house.
When a cat feels threatened, its natural
instinct is to flee, and if a dog's natural instinct is to chase, the results
can be disastrous. Some breeds are more likely to hunt you than others, for
example hounds.
Take the dog for a nice long walk or engage it
in an active game of hunt and retrieve before bringing it home. If your dog has
exhausted all of his extra energy, it is best not to frighten your cat with an
enthusiastic greeting.
It is necessary to restrain the dog when you
introduce it to the cat. Interspecies meetings can be tense due to differences
in body language. Tail wagging can mean 'nice to meet you, let's play' in dog
language, but the same 'wagging' tail means something completely different from
a cat. Dog playing gestures can also be frightening to a cat.
As soon as possible, teach the dog to
immediately respond to safety commands such as 'come', 'sit', 'stay' and 'drop
it'. Of course, the more training you give your dog, the better it will be for
you and your cat.
If your cat is always hiding when you're home
or if your dog becomes aggressive with your cat or with other people and pets,
get help from a dog trainer or behavior expert.
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