Does getting along like cats and dogs mean anything to you? If you’re on this page, yes!

Maybe you are one of the many pet parents who have tried adopting a dog and a cat.

But maybe you are one of the many dog ​​and cat parents who are going through a difficult cohabitation.

Fighting, destruction, aggressive behavior, jealousy, depression … There are many problems that can arise when adopting a cat and a dog.

Over time, we have received many messages and calls for help from people living this ordeal and not knowing what to do to stop their dog and cat fighting.

Naturally, we decided to make a topic to answer the many questions we received about the cat/dog relationship.

• I adopted a dog but my cat can’t stand it, what should I do?
• My dog ​​and cat keep fighting, how do I stop them?
• My dog ​​attacks my cat, is it linked to behavioral problems?
• Why do my cat and dog hate each other? Can we make them love each other?
• How to restore peace and harmony in the home with a cat and dog that don’t get along?
• My dog ​​is jealous of my cat . Is it possible to make it better?
• My cat has been sulking since I adopted my dog. What should I do?

Are you also asking yourself these questions? Our animal behavior expert tells you everything about the dog/cat relationship.

 

Why don’t dogs and cats get along?

The simplest answer is that cats and dogs are different species . So they are not friends by definition.

In the wild, dogs see cats as prey and cats see dogs as a threat.

They don’t choose not to love each other. It’s just a matter of instinct.

In this context, it makes sense that they compete over food, territory, and human attention when they find themselves in the same home.

Bringing cats and dogs together makes them even more likely to fight, but that doesn’t mean they can’t learn to get along.

 

How to prevent relationship problems between dogs and cats?

Unfortunately, the first thing you need to realize is that you can never be sure that your pets will like each other.

The good news is that you can put all the odds in your favor to make it go well.

1. Consider the cat or dog’s personality and background before adopting

Before adopting a pet, it is important to consider its personality, energy level and background.

If a dog is aggressive and territorial, it will not adapt well to a household with a temperamental cat.

Along the same lines, an aging dog will hate sharing space with an exuberant kitten.

Also, if you are adopting a pet, do your homework and ask the previous owners or shelter if the pet has ever lived with other animals and if it got along well with them.

2. Adopt your dog and cat young

Typically, dogs and cats who meet at a young age can learn to interact peacefully.

In other words, it’s very likely that if you adopt a puppy and a kitten at the same time, they will become best friends .

Socializing these animals at a young age can therefore be easier than introducing them as adults – puppies are “sponges” that easily absorb new information and situations. They will adapt more easily to the presence of a cat.

Additionally, dogs are less confident and territorial at this stage of life, which will make it easier for your cat to find their place and establish themselves in the house.

If they don’t meet when they’re young, or if you adopt a new pet when it’s older, dogs and cats will be more likely to fight.

Also read: How to welcome a puppy? Expert advice

3. Socialize your dog and cat in advance

The best way to avoid war situations at home is to socialize your pets as early as possible. Especially since it is unlikely that a puppy will hurt a cat when it is small.

They are also much more open to new experiences during the first 16 weeks of life.

Socialize your puppy to cats by exposing him to felines regularly and giving him a treat every time he meets a cat.

This exercise will teach him to associate cats with positive feelings and rewards.

4. Have them sniff each other before introducing them

To help accustom your pets to a new presence, let your cat and dog sniff each other’s bedding and toys before a face-to-face introduction.

In this way, they can satisfy their curiosity, get used to each other’s smell and gain trust.

5. Introduce your dog to your cat outside the house

For a first presentation, choose a location outside the home.

Naturally, a dog or cat that already lives in the house will not like a new animal intruding on its territory.

This is also true for any new foreign presence; for a new cat and a new dog, but also two dogs who do not get along because one of them has just arrived, or the arrival of a baby.

In the case of a cat meeting a dog, they must therefore first meet elsewhere, on neutral ground.

After that you can have them meet inside, but be aware that they will still need some things to get along perfectly.

For example, cats need to perch on high ground and need escape routes.

It is well known that cats hide when they are stressed and therefore like to have a protected space to unwind.

More generally, cats like their personal space even more than dogs.

So it is important for your cat to have a place where the dog cannot disturb him .

In any case, it can take some time for dogs and cats to get along with each other.

It won’t happen overnight just like we don’t learn to love a stranger overnight.