Dogs are the natural enemies of cats, so is it possible to have both as pets in one house? Absolutely.
If the animals begin life as puppy and kitten, they will have few problems at all. They barely seem to notice that they are meant to be hunter and prey. Many animals can be introduced as young and grow up confident in each other’s company. Birds with cats, mice or pet rats with cats. You can have a homely little zoo if you dare.
OLDER CATS WITH A NEW DOG
A home where there is a dog introduced to an existing older cat will have greater problems. The cat rules but if it is quite old, it may feel great insecurity or fear with this new animal. Or it may treat a puppy with fierce defense, with claws that can hook a soft puppy’s nose with a rapid swipe. Some old cats seem to loose heart and get sick and die, at the introduction of any new pet, whether a new kitten or puppy. This is often the least successful of pet blending. The two can come to some sort of amicable truce and live together, but it will rarely be happy.
OLDER DOGS WITH A NEW CAT
If the dog has never experienced living with a cat, it can be introduced to a kitten or mature cat. But introduce them very slowly. This is the rule for any new animal coming into a home where there are other animals. Introduce them very, very slowly. Once the dog has the smell of this new animal and knows that you as the owner and master will not tolerate any aggression, it can work out alright. The animals may even grow to enjoy each other. This is not that much more difficult than introducing a new adult cat to another adult cat.
BEST PRACTICE
If you do want both types of animals, it is certainly best to get them while they are both young. But if you have lost a cat or a dog and need to introduce a new one into the house, it is easier than if the existing animal had never lived with another cat or dog. Don’t suppose that things will be exactly as they were with the original two animals. Animals have very individual personalities and where one cat may have loved to play with the dog, another will be aloof. Where one cat may enjoy sitting by the fire with the dog, or snuggling into the dog on a winter’s night, another may want to keep the relationship far more formal.
HOW TO INTRODUCE THEM
Bring home the new animal and give it a safe room. Don’t let the other animal make any contact until this new animal feels at home and secure in your home. Then let the existing animal see this new pet but keep them at a distance. This may be enough for one day. Slowly introduce them to each other so that they can get used to each other’s smell and sight. This could take several days. Make sure that you are in control at all times. Pet the new animal and show the existing animal that you ‘own’ this new animal, like and approve of it. Growl if one behaves badly toward the other and remove them immediately. Patience will win out. Make sure they have separate eating areas where they feel safe. Eventually they may become so comfortable that they eat out of each other’s bowls or share a bowl.
REWARDS
It is great to have a family that is a mix of the delights of a dog and a cat. It somehow gives satisfaction to see the cat adopt the dog and greet him with furry head butts and contented purrs. The dog can enjoy protecting the cat and washing the cat’s face. It gives hope to humans that one day people may learn to appreciate the differences in each other and learn to live together as well as this.
