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Making dogs and cats live together under the same roof

Making dogs and cats live together under the same roof

- Categories : Behaviour

© Martine Lavallée, BAA and animal health technician

It may seem impossible, but dogs and cats, as well as other pets, can live together under the same roof. It should be noted that having two different adult species coexist is more of a challenge than with young animals.

There are many advantages of having animals living in harmony under your roof: it will avoid a source of tension, probable injuries between them and also metabolic and/or psychological diseases related to stress.

Dogs and cats that love each other

Some dog breeds, being more sociable by nature, are known to be more cat-friendly than others. For example, Poodles and German Shepherds like to interact with felines. Also, more independent dogs such as bulldogs and various breeds of greyhounds are rather indifferent to the presence of a feline.

As for cats, the breeds most likely to cohabit with dogs are the domestic cats of the tabby and grey type as well as the chartreux

Cat and dog in a hammock
Baloo and his faithful friend Henry, two animals who have traveled a lot together: www.facebook.com/henrythecoloradodog

Acclimatization

The acclimatization of dogs and cats allows them to be well socialized so that they can live in a group in good understanding. Also, familiarizing our puppy or kitten to the presence of other animals is a much easier step than if they were adults. Therefore, this is an important part of their education that should not be neglected.

Sleeping puppies

When our puppy or kitten has been in contact with other animals during the first two to three months of its life, it will develop lasting bonds with other species. The sooner we get our pet used to being around other animals, the sooner it will understand that it is not a species to be hunted. And this can be done especially with our more vulnerable animals like chickens and other farmyard animals. Also, if we already have a dog at home and we are welcoming a new kitten, we should make sure that the kitten has been in contact with dogs before.

Preambles

The organization of the preambles before the arrival of another animal is essential.

  1. The first step would be to prepare two closed rooms in the house. It will be possible to temporarily isolate the two new friends in two separate rooms. Depending on the character of our animals, the separation could sometimes last up to 10 days. But sometimes, after 48 hours, things will settle down on their own.

  2. Also, since our pets have a keen sense of smell, it is a good idea to have our dog and cat sniff each other's scent from a piece of clothing, towel or blanket several times a day until they are reunited outside their respective apartments.

  3. The first meeting should be done in a calm environment. We will let our two friends circle each other and become familiar with each other's scent, while walking near them to intervene in case of aggression. If one of them shows signs of irritation, a large pillow or cardboard box can be used to block their view and slowly move them to their room. Acclimatization may take several attempts before complete success. The neutral meeting place should preferably be a room that has high spaces for the cat and a kennel/cage for the dog where our animals can take refuge and isolate themselves. If all goes well, there is no rule for the animals to get along.

Dog sniffing a kitten
Dog and cat on the edge of a window

Some will only need a few hours to adjust. But others will need several days to adjust and sometimes the use of supplements to help them relax will be required. Here are two natural and effective products: Zen attitude et Calm emotion de Zanimo :

Our behavior

We should adopt a conducive attitude to facilitate cohabitation. Let's remain calm, supportive, but not controlling. We can leave our dog and cat to fend for themselves, but always in a supportive way until we are sure that everything is fine. For cohabitation to work, the animals must feel safe.

Also, round backs, cat yowls or dog growls are perfectly normal and should not be blamed on our pets. In the same vein, we should never yell at our pets, as this is like sending distress signals to our animals. The best behavior we should adopt is neutrality.

Arrangement

Set up an exclusive space in the house for resting, feeding and relieving themselves for each of our animals. Indeed, our dog and our cat must have a place where they can isolate themselves for their psychological well-being. Also, our cat is a territorial animal that needs access to places where it can be calm and feel safe, including its litter box (1 litter box per cat). A useful and interesting accessory for our cat is the cat tree. This one can allow our feline to move away if he is annoyed.

Possible misunderstandings

One of the main sources of misunderstanding between our dog and cat is competition for territory. This will most often occur if we have failed to properly set up their environment as I recommend above. Also, a feline can be very difficult to live with, especially if he is the first one in the household. They can develop a sense of belonging. Thus, his attachment to us will make him very guarded with regards to his environment. He can even be violent towards our new friend.

However, our dog will often opt for a more serene posture accompanied by calming signals. Even if our dog was there first, he will do everything to lighten the mood.

However, the difference in language will cause a second possibility of misunderstanding. Indeed, the communication signals between our cats and our dogs are totally opposite. They don't speak the same expression at all, creating a major obstacle in their relationship. For example, the dog wags his tail when he confirms his joy and his desire to play. For the cat, it means annoyance or even a warning. Our pets will have the additional challenge of learning a new language.

Conclusion

To succeed in the cohabitation between a cat and a dog, all the steps are to be respected and patience is required. Also, it is better not to favor one animal more than the other in order not to neglect one in our journey. Moreover, the help of a behaviorist can be useful to get advice in order to promote cohabitation. But nothing is impossible believe me.

Cat sticking its head on a dog

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