How To Help The Dog And Cat Coexistence?
“Getting along like cat and dog” is a phrase that loses meaning in the modern model of interspecies coexistence. However, it is true that each animal has certain innate tendencies that, if not handled correctly, can lead to problems of coexistence of the dog and the cat.
If you are thinking of increasing your family, in this article you have several tips to improve that coexistence. As you can see, the harmony between cats and dogs is possible.
The natural tendencies of cats and dogs
As always, it is necessary to start with a clarification on the title: the word “tendencies” means that both species have a certain inclination to certain behaviors, but each individual presents their own personality. That said, let’s see what to expect from each species:
- Dogs – Dogs are generally curious, active, and sociable. Before the entry of a new member of the family, it would be normal for them to go to investigate and try to socialize with him.
- Cats: cats tend, on the other hand, to be more independent, since in nature they are solitary animals. When faced with a new family member, they are more likely to worry about marking their territory first and then investigating.
Tips for the coexistence of the dog and the cat
These trends that you just read should be taken into account when handling a presentation or considering which species enters before and which after. This you can read below in a more developed way.
1. Ideally, they have known each other since puppies
If you have the possibility, the best thing for the coexistence of the dog and the cat is that both are raised together. Thus they will strengthen the bond from a young age and their first learnings of coexistence will be with the other species. If it is not possible for both of them to come home as puppies, it is recommended that at least one of them be.
However, don’t worry if you don’t meet this first requirement. As you will see below, there are other ways to get your dog and cat to get along as adults.
2. Make a good presentation
Reducing stress when introducing the new family member is essential. It’s like getting off to a good start. It must be a process in steps and always respecting the personality of each animal. Here are some tips to get it right:
- At first, he leaves the animals in separate rooms and introduces objects with the other’s scent, so that they become familiar with him.
- Then let them smell themselves under the door: that way they can get up close without seeing each other and identify themselves by smell.
- Prepare the official presentation: it may be a good idea to trim the cat’s nails, exercise with the dog, or anything else you know that can prevent accidents. It is also helpful to have a shelter ready for both of you in case you need it.
- Stay calm and don’t force them to do anything: animals will notice your nervousness and trying to get them to do something they don’t want to — like picking up the cat and holding it close to the dog — can only go wrong.
- The minimum goal is for them to be tolerated: they don’t need to be like siblings. The purpose of all this is that there is a coexistence of the dog and the cat without stress and based on respect.
3. Let them organize
In general, dogs are hierarchical animals and cats are loners, so in this sense there can be conflicts. However, if the collisions do not go beyond the marking and some snorting —that is, without reaching the injuries and serious fights—, the ideal is to let them determine their way of living together.
4. Provide them with a safe space
Just like a human needs their own territory and space, so do cats and dogs. In this way, they will always have a place to take refuge if they are afraid, that does not smell other animals and, if possible, where the other cannot access.
It is advisable to have feeders in separate and inaccessible spaces for the other species – you can put the cat’s in a high place, for example. This, apart from reducing stress and conflict at mealtime, will avoid the problems of animals eating a diet that is not theirs.
Maintaining their own space for each one is not only useful for coexistence: it also gives the tutor control when it comes to supervising illnesses, abnormal behaviors, proper hygiene and much more.
Conclusions about the coexistence of the dog and the cat
The most obvious conclusion is that knowing animals is always an essential requirement when managing relationships. However, if you lack strategies or resources to do so, going to a professional is always the most recommended option.
