Many dogs can live peacefully with cats, even being quite close to each other such as sleeping together or licking each other’s fur. However, that’s not always the case. Not all dogs can live with cats, and similarly, not all cats are suitable for living with dogs. Many cats have a fear of dogs so great that no matter how gentle the dog is, the cat will be so afraid of losing his soul that he can’t live with it. Learn more with Fetch so you know how to prepare before you decide to keep a dog and cat in the same house
Understand that dogs and cats are different animals
Let’s take a look at the main differences between dogs and cats to understand them better:
Dogs are pack animals, their ancestors also lived and hunted in packs. Therefore, dogs consider their owners as the leader of the pack, always obeying the orders of their owners. Dogs always want to work in groups, so they always want to be involved in their owners’ daily activities to find connection.
Cats are lone predators. They are extremely independent creatures, they do not depend on their owners at all except for the minimum needs of food and a clean toilet. They will be perfectly fine to be alone for hours at a time. To connect with cats, owners often have to be proactive. Although cats are not herd animals, they also love being petted or scratched by their owners.
Dogs will be very active and full of energy during the day. Even when reclining to nap, for example, dogs want to be next to their owners. Cats, on the other hand, sleep most of the day, and are full of energy when their owners prepare for bed. Cats will be very active and want to play at night, but some cats will also spend some time during the day sleeping with their owners. You can train your cat to adapt to your sleeping schedule better.
Another big difference between dogs and cats is the way they meow. Dogs will bark or howl, and cats will meow or growl.
he cat’s signs of preparation for attack are arched backs and possibly upright back hairs. Dogs will grind their teeth and stare at you. Dogs and cats will make sounds, like howls or growls, when warning strangers or another animal to stay away.
Comparing the behavior of dogs and cats is also not easy, because like humans, the behavior and personality between individuals vary quite a lot. Some cats are extroverted and some dogs are introverted. Animals and breeds only give us an overview of behavior. The rest will depend on the individual’s natural personality and environmental factors where they grow up.
Dogs and cats both love to eat. Cats eat less and more often than dogs. Understanding the nutritional needs of each type of pet is quite important. Work with your veterinarian to find the right diet for your pet.
Differences in the habitat of dogs and cats
Because dogs and cats have different species and behaviors, they need a suitable living environment to feel comfortable and happy.
Dogs are active and playful, so they need to be near natural places like the garden or the park. Dogs also need to be taken for a daily walk, so the best habitat for them is near a park or river.
Cats sleep all day, so they need a private space like a shelf upstairs that they can climb to easily. From where they sleep they can observe their surroundings to always feel safe.
If you want to have both a dog and a cat, prepare a suitable living environment for both. Please note the following two points:
- The house should have a garden or a large space for the dog (maybe an empty room with dog toys).
- have elevated cat hiding places (perhaps a top of a cupboard or a shelf attached to the wall and arranged in a cat ladder)
How to prepare for the first meeting of the dog and cat
Acquaintance between dogs and cats should be done CONTROLLED and STEP BY STEP. Chasing is a dog’s passion, make sure you don’t give them a chance to practice this passion on cats! Prevent dog chases by keeping them separate and providing plenty of places for the cat to run away and hide.
1) Scent is a very important element in communication between dogs and cats. Let them smell each other’s scent before letting them meet face to face. Take a blanket or pet toy you’re bringing home, and place it on the center of the floor so your pet at home can slowly discover the new scent. Similarly, take a blanket or pet’s toy at home, and give your baby a new pet so he can explore and get used to it.
2) Create a separate space for each animal to eat, rest and defecate safely and comfortably. Make sure your cat can comfortably go to the eating area, sleep, or toilet without being followed by a dog, or that the cat can always easily run away if they feel threatened.
3) Make sure your pet at home feels comfortable and safe in its own space before bringing in a new pet.
4) Make sure you keep them separate, using a barrier or closed door, at least for a short period of time.
5) For the first week of bringing in your new pet, continue to “smell exchange” by letting them smell the other’s things, like bedding or clothes they’ve used. Continue doing this until they no longer show any signs of wariness or hostility to the new scent.
6) Now you can refer them directly to each other. Dogs and cats must be kept separate if the owner is not present to actively observe and reward desired responses. Let the cat into the dog’s room, the dog must be on a leash (preferably a training type) and the owner should reward the dog for every calm and appropriate response.
7) Do not force the cat into the dog’s room and the owner must ensure that the cat can jump onto the shelf or have an escape route if they feel threatened. Cats can run away without being chased by dogs if owners can prepare a fence.
The relationship between dogs and cats to be able to live together
This correlation mainly depends on the breed and whether you choose a puppy with an adult cat or a kitten with an older dog. The best compatibility is when you raise dogs and cats when they are very young.
Many dog breeds are more cat-friendly than others. There is still a lot of controversy surrounding whether it is more appropriate to keep kittens with adult dogs or puppies with adult cats.
Many breeds of dogs, like Greyhound, have a strong chasing habit, so they often cannot live with cats.
Some dog breeds have a very strong predatory behavior, they will chase, sniff and even attack cats. Most Terrier breeds are like that. There are also dog breeds that especially hate cats (and other small animals).
Dog breeds that hate cats:
- Afghan Hound
- Alaskan Malamute
- Basenji
- Beagle
- Border Terrier
- Dandie Dinmont Terrier
- Jack Russell Terrier
- Pharaoh Hound
- Rhodesian Ridgeback
- Weimaraner
- Shiba Inu
Many professional cat trainers will advise you that an adult cat who has never had experience with dogs or lives near dogs will have a hard time making lifestyle changes to accommodate a fussy and standing puppy. not quiet.
Moreover, for the cat who has experience with dogs, even if they do not become good friends, this cat and dog couple will know how to yield to each other in peace. Small and calm dogs are easier to get along with cats.
Large puppies with too much energy will overwhelm cats.
However, there are also many stories proving the success of the cat and dog couple when the giant dog loves and protects the family cat. In those cases, the dog is adopted first and then the kitten or adult cat.
If you would love to have a family with both dogs and cats, consider adopting them when they are young, preferably under 1 year old.
While this may sound daunting at first, experts and pet owners say that adopting a dog and cat a short amount of time apart increases the chances of a dog and cat becoming better friends. .
Notes on keeping dogs and cats in the same house
Separate their food and toys
After you’ve succeeded in luring and pleasing your cat with food, keep their food bowls separate. Cats will go to the dog food bowl – while the dog is eating, or nearby – to taste the dog food. That will make the dog attack the cat. You won’t know if dogs do it to protect their food or their territory.
To avoid these awkward situations, feed your dog and cat on a fixed schedule (no free feeding) and place their food bowls in separate places, or place the cat’s food bowl overhead or a high position.
You should also pay attention to your cat’s toys – when they fight over toys, it can also start a fight. Dogs seem to love catnip very much, many dogs even love catnip more than cats.
Give your dog physical and mental exercise
Most owners only allow dogs to exercise at 20% of the recommended amount. It is very important for dogs to release energy because exercise will help dogs stay calm and control themselves better when they are around cats.
Dogs also need a lot of stimulation from exercise. Getting the right amount of energy through exercise will relieve the dog, instead of chasing the cat. Therefore, we think you should prepare dog toys, or pack games, or give your dog intense training sessions.
Instead of just going for a walk, train your dog to stop and sit up 5 times after passing a building. Either have the dog change direction 3 times after each building, or change the speed 2 times. Giving dogs exercise helps them forget about herd behavior and chase prey.
If you don’t have time to exercise your dog, you can hire a dog walker or day pet sitter from Fetch.
Summary
Cats and dogs are quite different: in behavior, habits, communication sounds, preferences, eating…
Habitat differences for dogs and cats: dogs want open space and cats want private places up high to feel safe.
Pet owners can refer to the steps that Fetch recommends to train cats and dogs to get to know each other.
The correlation of dogs and cats depends on their breed and size. The best choice is that you raise them together from a very young age.
When keeping dogs and cats in the same house, always remember: keep their food and toys separate, give them physical and mental exercise so they can release energy and increase self-control when dogs are around. cat.