How to make friends of different ages
To quickly make friends with animals, you need to treat them correctly. The idea that a cat and a dog are sworn enemies is a myth. The behavior of pets and their perception of each other completely depends on their upbringing; the issue of friendship largely depends on the literacy of the owner.
It is easier to make friends with a puppy and a kitten that appeared in the house at the same time. It is important to follow the rules:
- provide everyone with personal belongings;
- regularly spend time together playing with the two of them;
- pay attention to each individually.
At a young age, animals perceive each other as friends. They are always ready to play, and it is easy to teach them to live together. If one of the pets is an adult, it will take more patience and strength to make friends with the new inhabitant in the house.
Adult cat and puppy
It is often difficult to make friends with a puppy and a cat. Usually, cats are not subject to special training; there is no point in hoping that they will obey their owner without offending the new inhabitant of the house.
Breed plays an important role. Representatives of some, Siamese, Maine Coon, British, are distinguished by their aggressive character. Usually they are not happy even with guests coming to the owner, much less will they perceive a small puppy as hostile. If you have never raised a cat and know how aggressive he is, it is better to avoid getting a puppy.
Representatives of most breeds have a gentle character. Especially affectionate Persian and Devon Rex. They will perceive the arrival of a puppy more calmly. The first reaction is likely to be curiosity, a little stress, and then friendliness.
If the cat was already in the apartment before the puppy arrived and accepted it normally, the owner’s main task is to protect it from excessive stress. The cat's favorite place should remain the same so that she feels confident. Puppies of any breed are playful and restless at a young age, so the owner must pay personal attention to them. Even if a cat spends time with a small inhabitant of the apartment, it should always have the opportunity to retire by climbing into its own place.
It is better for the cat’s territory to be an area on a hill where the puppy cannot reach. They usually like to observe what is happening around them while remaining untouched.
Adult dog and kitten
Sometimes getting a kitten to live with a dog in the same apartment is contraindicated. This applies to cases where the dog is ill-mannered and untrained. Representatives of large breeds, not accustomed to following commands, will immediately show aggression, and the situation often ends in failure.
In other cases, when the dog is a sane, well-mannered pet, you can make friends with a kitten. You should prepare by following a number of rules:
- make sure that the dog understands and follows all commands, especially prohibitive ones;
- divide the territory between two people so that each animal has its own area, immediately accustom both to this;
- It is desirable that the sleeping places be separate, in different rooms.
It is possible to make friends between an adult dog and a kitten if you do not put pressure on it, forcing it to accept the new inhabitant of the apartment against its will. It is important for the dog to get used to the new smell, which will now be constantly present in the room. It is better for representatives of large breeds not to show the kitten at all on the first day. They immediately sense its appearance and must get used to it.
The first meeting of a kitten with an adult dog occurs carefully. They put a strict collar on her, no matter how well-mannered and obedient she is. Animals must be kept at a distance. The latter poses a particular danger when introducing a dog to a kitten. He can dig into the dog with his claws, scratching him. This is a bad start to dating; it is difficult to reconcile the animals later.
Experts advise trimming the claws of small kittens so that they do not even accidentally harm the dog.
It is recommended to allow closer contact after staying at a distance. An indicator that they have accepted each other will be free sniffing of each other. To achieve this, sometimes you need to introduce them once; other owners have to spend several days on this.
After getting to know each other, you need to be especially careful about the time you spend with your dog. She shouldn't feel abandoned. Play together, separately. Continue to walk your pet and comply with other maintenance conditions. Let the dog feel its authority in the house; you cannot take things from it and give them to the kitten, or infringe on its territory.
Both adults
The situation is much more complicated when two adult animals appear in the house. Some take them from nurseries at the same time. Sometimes owners decide to adopt an adult animal when they have another adult pet. Everyone has their own formed character, habits, the taming of which is difficult.
Don't force the idea of friendship on animals. The main task of the owner is to prevent possible hatred, they must get used to each other, warm relations can appear after months. If the nature of the representatives of the breed makes them not inclined to communicate closely with other animals, they cannot be forced.
Provide everyone with their own territory. Care and maintenance of a pet is individual, it must be carried out to the fullest extent. Cats and dogs are sensitive animals that react acutely to infringement of attention and need the owner’s time. Before getting two adult pets, consider whether you have:
- experience in keeping pets;
- time for animals;
- the ability to provide care for pets during vacation;
- knowledge to raise them correctly;
- the opportunity to provide them with a separate territory at home;
- the desire to devote one’s strength and patience to education.
Much depends on the owner, so by remaining indifferent to the life of animals, you can harm them and yourself.
Sociability of dogs
As they say, a dog is man's best friend, which is fully justified by the quick attachment of dogs to their owners. Socialized dogs constantly need company.
- On a subconscious level, they strive to gain approval from the owner and can even set self-restraints in order to please and receive the coveted praise.
- There are often cases when a dog provides selfless help to a person, for example, when a child is drowning in a pond.
- The animal's instincts are triggered, and it immediately strives to help.
Therefore, dogs are trainable and quickly learn certain behavior patterns.
Why do dogs and cats fight?
The main factors provoking hostility are:
- Territory. It is important to provide not only a separate place for both animals to sleep, but also for feeding, toileting, and playing.
- Food. The issue of nutrition most often causes jealousy. You need to feed your pets at the same time, so as not to cause envy, but in different places. They should not be allowed to eat from the same utensils.
- Attention. If one pet is still small, it requires more time for care. Then you need to increase your time with the other one so that he doesn’t get jealous.
- Personal items. Toys, combs, hygiene items must be individual. If a dog smells a cat on its brush, it will cause jealousy and aggression.
A good way to make friends with animals is to send them for a walk together in the yard of a private house or country house. Usually on the street they quickly find common interests.
To make friends between a cat and a dog, the owner needs to be determined to devote equal amounts of time and energy to both of them. It is important to prepare in advance by arranging a place for them in the house or apartment. The issue of territory, food, and personal belongings deserve special attention; it is important to prevent envy or jealousy of one of the pets.
Introducing an adult cat to a puppy
Puppies cope more easily with adults and do not need special protection. Cats show open aggression only in cases where the puppies become importunate and begin to pursue the self-sufficient pet everywhere. If you see this behavior, try to separate the puppy from the cat and engage in some kind of games, since the manifestation of importunity is nothing more than a lack of attention.
In rare cases, cats are able to adopt puppies and raise them along with their kittens.
A puppy raised in the company of a cat or cats does not show aggression towards them and is not prone to conflicts. However, this rule applies only to cats of his “pack”. If this dog meets any other feline, it will be quite difficult to predict his reaction, so there is no point in experimenting.
Otherwise, the rules for getting a puppy used to a cat are exactly the same as in the case of a kitten and a dog. Let the animals get used to each other's smell, divide the apartment into non-intersecting zones in which the pets will rest from each other, and feed them separately, without giving additional reasons for aggression.
Cats are supportive of puppies, except in cases when they begin to actively impose themselves and bother them.
Important! The greatest difficulties occur when two adult individuals get to know each other. If possible, avoid starting a relationship this way, as mature pets already have certain experiences and behavioral characteristics that are very difficult to correct.
Preparing for dating
Before bringing a new animal into your home, think through all the nuances in detail:
- Pets should not “cross each other” for 2–3 days.
- Both animals must have their own bedding.
- The “resident” must have access to the places where the “newcomer” has been.
- The cat must have access to the litter box.
- Feeding should be separate, behind tightly closed doors.
- The dog must know basic commands and be comfortable with the muzzle.
- The tips of the kitten's claws are filed.
Important! Do not be under the illusion that a dog poses a greater danger, yes, it is physically stronger, but a kitten saving its life is an “eye-scratching machine”! Be prepared for attack from both sides!
Rules of peaceful coexistence
It is based on equal attention from the owner to both the cat and the dog. This will help avoid manifestations of jealousy on the part of the dog. Played with the dog? Pay attention to the cat. Did you pet the dog? Do the same with another family member. Try organizing joint games.
During the adaptation period, it is important to constantly monitor the presence of animals together. The owner is obliged to regularly encourage their friendship. And then the cat will understand that the dog can be used as a heating pad, an interlocutor, a friend.
Many cats love to sit on top and contemplate everything that happens below. Give your cat this opportunity during the period of adaptation to the dog. If he climbed onto a closet, you shouldn’t kick him out of there. He is so comfortable and calm. Over time this will pass.
When deciding to place a cat in a house where there is a dog, you must take into account the breed of the dog. Many watchdogs (for example, Dobermans) are very jealous of the appearance of kittens in the house, no matter what breed they are. Therefore, carefully observe the first reaction, be vigilant and careful.
Face to face – first meeting
When the first passions subside and the animals come to terms with the presence of a “stranger,” we move on to the next stage. An adult dog is put on a parfors (strict collar) and a muzzle. The animals meet through a crack in the slightly open door. Please note that a cat may well scratch a dog through a small gap. The procedure is repeated until the animals begin to behave restrained, “sniffing nose to nose.”
There is also a method for fans of fast and extreme moves. First, you thoroughly study the body language of cats and dogs! Afterwards, a soft muzzle and a loose leash are put on the dog, and the cat’s claws are trimmed. Animals are brought together in one room, the owner watches. If they intend to start a fight, the animals isolate themselves. According to the experience of the owners, the first method is more effective; it allows the wards to get to know each other under circumstances of moderate stress. No one guarantees that pets will sleep together, but they are quite capable of sharing territory without fighting.
