My mother often told me that when I was three years old, in my grandmother’s village I had companions - a kitten and a puppy. They followed me everywhere, we were an inseparable trinity.
Where did the kitten and puppy go later? Mom and dad’s versions differed, but now I understand that I was taken home, and the animals were given to someone.
But to this day, the friendship between a cat and a dog evokes emotion in me; I can look at photos of cats and dogs hugging to lift my spirits. Apparently the impressions of early childhood are making themselves felt.
If you have such an emotional boost, then I have prepared for you 10 wonderful photos of the friendship between a cat and a dog.
Dog and cat in the village on a stump
I have often noticed that dogs still distinguish between their own and other people's cats. Just because a dog accepts your pet cat doesn't mean it will playfully flirt with every cat it comes across.
My Doberman Lucas can hardly tolerate the British Asya and chases her from time to time. But he simply can’t stand other cats.
Main stumbling blocks
Fight for the owner's attention
Many have heard the phrase “The cat walks on its own.” I also diligently believed in this truth: my domestic cat is very affectionate, never rebels when trying to stroke or cuddle her, but she herself rarely seeks human attention, preferring to mind her own business. More precisely, she had this manner of behavior exactly until the moment when the second four-legged pet, the Pekingese, appeared in our house.
This is where a fierce struggle for the attention of all family members began: a competition called “Who can run to the door faster and meet the owners”; if they stroked or picked up one person, aggression on the part of the other immediately began.
Sometimes the situation can take more drastic turns: the cat, seeing that the dog is being taken for a walk, with its desperate meows will urgently demand that it be taken with them too.
Those who are planning to have a cat and a dog in the same house should remember how jealous animals are - almost like little children of the same age. Promise yourself to try to give the same amount of attention to both pets - this will prevent hostility between them.
Food
If you have a cat at home, then you know how they eat: even if they have a full bowl of food, but no appetite, they will not eat against their will, but will leave it for later and will return to it throughout the day. Dogs have the exact opposite attitude towards food: they will eat everything in the bowl and ask for more.
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Coexisting in the same space with a dog, the cat will have to rebuild its gourmet habits: returning to the bowl during the day will not have the desired result, since the dog, having eaten its food, will also grab the cat’s portion.
Remember that it is harmful for dogs to overeat. Keeping in mind that a certain percentage of the cat's food will be eaten by the dog, try to ensure that both of your pets are well-fed without overeating.
It is also worth remembering what kind of dogs are beggars and how often it is difficult for us to refuse them a tasty morsel. Don't forget that there are certain breeds of dogs (for example, pugs and Pekingese) that cannot have sweets - only special dog treats.
Fight for place
It’s unlikely that you will be able to avoid the action between pets under the general title “Who’s the Boss.” The fight will be for any place in the house. Even for a place on your lap. Therefore, prepare in advance for the fact that while your pets get along together, there will be no peace in your home.
How to understand that friendship has taken place?
If the animals already eat and sleep together, then the friendship between the cat and the dog has taken place. But do not forget that if your furry beauty falls in love with a new friend, then she will still treat all other dogs differently. If you see that the dog greets a new girlfriend or friend with a wagging tail, then he is in a positive position for further communication. Cats will come up with their own rules in relationships, and dogs will obey them.
A little time will pass and the cat will understand that sleeping next to a dog is warm and cozy. She will lie down next to her new friend, and all you have to do is give the same amount of love to both pets. If there is no jealousy, then there will be friendship between people, cats and dogs!
Everything is equally
Remember that a cat and a dog are animals with different characters and habits, so be thoughtful about keeping them together. Don't let the process of introducing pets take its course. Take matters into your own hands. Pay more attention to the animals, come up with different games in which both pets can participate. Never allow jealousy between your pets. Treat each one the same.
It is possible to make friends between a cat and a dog. This depends not only on the age and character of the pets, but also on the owner himself. Two pets in the house will require twice as much responsibility from you. If you are ready for this, then go ahead. You will succeed.
We hope that our tips will help you, and your cat and dog will become true friends.
The appearance of a dog in a house with a cat
You can do the same thing with a cat before adding a dog, that is, introduce him to the dog of friends or neighbors. And it will immediately become clear whether he will easily accept the newcomer. Some people, in order for the cat to stop getting nervous when hearing a dog barking, record this “voice” on any medium and let the animal listen a little every day. This way the cat will stop perceiving barking as a potential threat.
After a fight, if one occurs, it is better to conduct a second acquaintance at least a week later.
Baby and adult animal
In this situation, there can only be two options: either the puppy is introduced to an adult cat, or the kitten is introduced to an adult dog. Here, much will depend on the character of the adult animal, on how well it is brought up and subordinate to the owner. It is also important how patient and affectionate the owner himself will be, whether he will behave correctly and whether he will be ready to competently regulate any conflicts.
Adult cat - puppy
Puppies get along very easily with adult cats and do not need to be protected. Cats are also loyal to children and will behave aggressively only if the younger generation is too annoying. If the owner sees excessive intrusiveness on the part of the puppy and increasing irritation on the part of the cat, the baby’s attention needs to be switched to another game so that the cat can rest peacefully. Otherwise, the rules of “friendship” between a puppy and an adult cat are the same as in the previous situation.
If the cat shows aggression towards the dog
Most often, a cat's aggression towards a dog is associated with fear. What to do in this case?
- There is no need to punish the cat - this will only make the situation worse.
- Prevent situations in which the cat becomes aggressive (for example, consider how to properly distribute the territory so that the cat has safe, easy access to important resources and does not become cornered).
- Develop positive associations in your cat with the presence of the dog.
- If aggression occurs in the same places, it is worth “separating traffic flows” - for example, equipping a second tier for the cat in this particular place.
- Do not place the cat's bed where it is convenient for her to reach the dog with her paw - for example, near the aisle.
Kitten and puppy
Living together with a kitten and a puppy is an almost ideal situation. After all, it is believed that the ideal age for starting a friendship between two animals is three to four months. It is at this age that they still do not know about the division of territory, the struggle for the owner’s attention, for food. These are just two kids playing happily and being naughty. Even if conflicts arise, they are half-joking.
But to make the acquaintance go even better, you need to arrange your own “territory” for each pet in advance. Both the kitten and the puppy should have their own beds, dishes for food and water, and toilets. But you don’t have to share toys.
The kitten needs to arrange a higher place that will be inaccessible to the dog. There he can, if necessary, feel safe.
The likelihood of artificial techniques
Even the work of geneticists in this area has not brought positive results.
Scientists often “play around” with genetics, making yet another attempt to deceive nature and mate different types of mammals. When trying to fertilize an egg artificially with the help of a sperm, there is a possibility of obtaining a viable individual, which is called a chimera. Its survival rate is low, but there is still a chance. For example, chimeras were obtained by crossing a sheep and a goat; out of 20 heads, only two survived, the rest of the embryos died in the womb. The important thing is that these were closely related species of animals, and cats and dogs are much further apart at the genetic level. However, there are also inexplicable exceptions when a cat gives birth to a puppy. This phenomenon is referred to as a mutation or gene error.
Crossed species bred artificially cannot reproduce further even when copulating with the original individuals, since they are considered sterile.
Adviсe
In order for the acquaintance of two animals to be successful and develop into a strong friendship, several mandatory rules must be followed:
- Among animals, hierarchy is very important. Therefore, it is imperative to comply with it. For example, older animals should receive food first.
- The dog must be trained so that it obeys obedience commands unquestioningly. This will make it easier for the owner to control her, being recognized as the “leader of the pack.”
- Animals will become friends faster if they play together. Therefore, the owner needs to play with both animals more often, or take them for a walk together.
- The cat's litter box should be inviolable and, if possible, inaccessible to the dog. Feeling excessive attention, the cat may go to the toilet less often, which will have a bad effect on its health.
- Any manifestation of friendliness on the part of animals towards each other should be encouraged by the owner. You must always remember that the appearance of a second “tenant” is not the first to be perceived as easy. And his efforts on himself must be supported in every possible way.
Can these animals live in the same house with humans?
Many people think that they will not live in the same room and that the friendship between cats and dogs will not work out. But it is not so. It all depends on the person. If he makes every effort, then everything will end well. There is no inherent enmity between them.
Nature has created it in such a way that these animals should not intersect with each other at all. They behave differently in the world around them, obtain food and rest differently. They express their feelings individually, which is why misunderstandings arise.
Cats love to walk by themselves. They are touchy and selfish. Even when living with a person in his house, they behave arrogantly, watching everything from above or from a distance. Dogs love a close relationship with their owner. They climb, wag their tail, bark, that is, they do everything to be noticed, praised and talked to.
By attacking the cat and knocking it over, they try to get to know each other. Dogs sniff it and bite it, thereby disturbing the cat’s space to the maximum. The cat runs away, and the dog, accordingly, follows it, as its hunting instinct manifests itself. A person who wants to have these animals at the same time is faced with the task of making efforts to ensure that the friendship of cats and dogs takes place in his home.
The first meeting of a cat and a dog
When meeting pets for the first time, patience is important. It is necessary to keep them not together, but in different rooms, until the pets get used to each other’s smell. At the same time, if there is an older dog in the house, regardless of purebred or stray, they begin to work with him, give him treats, if on the street he does not rush after the yard cats. Be sure to teach the dog basic commands.
First acquaintance plays an important role
In relation to a pair of an older cat and a small puppy, it will not be possible to teach the former to do this. Although, according to statistics, it will be easier for them to make friends, since cats perceive a new companion less aggressively.
For your information! After a few days, I can meet the cat and puppy in reality, so to speak for real. It is important to allocate a large room for this, and until the animals have sniffed each other, do not leave them alone for now.
It is important not to rush the animals, as the grinding process is not quick. You should not push the cat or dog towards each other; acquaintance should happen naturally. Often, a dog can show maximum emotions, lack of restraint regarding the first acquaintance with a cat, the latter can hiss and attack. Therefore, you should distract the dog and work on controlling its activity in the future.
Dogs that get along with cats
If there are cats who live peacefully with dogs due to their nature, then there will certainly be dogs who are ready to share meters of living space with them.
These can be good-natured giants or medium-sized dogs, but preference should be given to those whose weight is not much different from the weight of the purring lodger.
Small breeds were originally bred as companions to accompany humans. This means that they already have tolerance and a low degree of aggression built into their character.
Hunting breeds rarely become friends with cats; at best, they remain neutral with them, even if in size they can only hunt rats and butterflies.
You should not bring a new pet into your home, believing that if the dog lives peacefully with one cat, it will easily accept another.
The dog loves (tolerates) YOUR cat; it may perceive the appearance of a new animal as an encroachment on the common territory.
Your cat will treat the new tenant in exactly the same way. It will take time to get used to and all your diplomatic skill.
Almost all breeds of dogs and cats eventually build relationships, gradually setting priorities, but sometimes friendship does not happen due to the first unsuccessful acquaintance.
This is very important - positive or at least neutral emotions when meeting for the first time!
A puppy who finds himself in a house where one or a couple of cats already live will accept their dominance as an unconditional rule of the new home. You just need to make sure that the old tenants don’t offend the new one.
If the situation is the opposite, then you will have to watch the dog so that it does not perceive the fluffy ball as a living toy or prey.
The best time to start living together is during childhood for both pets.
Owner's attention
Divide your attention and care equally to all animals in the house. It often happens that a newcomer is given more time than a pet who has been living for a long time. If you pet one pet, don't forget to pet the other, and it's better to do it at the same time. Don't forget that animals, like little children, are very jealous. You shouldn't have a pet in your house.
The biggest reason for a quarrel can be food. Therefore, feed the animals at the same time, always from different bowls. Do not place bowls too close to each other, especially at first after introducing your pets. When a cat and a dog eat at the same time, they stop feeling competition between themselves. Make sure that the dog does not help the cat finish his portion. Overeating will harm the dog's health, and stealing from someone else's bowl will not help establish warm relationships between animals.
