Cohabitation between cats and dogs: how to do it?
Why do most dogs and cats not get along? How to make your dog and a small feline live together? We tell you everything so that your animals live together, in peace under the same roof.
Different languages between dogs and cats
The dog is originally a natural predator of the cat. Nothing more normal then that mistrust persists, even unconsciously, between the 2 species. It is instinctive! It is all the more understandable since dogs and cats do not have the same communication codes. The most obvious example is the movement of the tail. A dog wagging its tail indicates the desire to play, joy while a cat wagging its tail expresses its annoyance or hostility. Identical signals that have radically opposite meanings are necessarily sources of misunderstandings, at the origin of tensions between animals of the two species.
This explains why a dog and a cat that have grown up together get along perfectly well. The dog is used to the cat and vice versa. Don't miss this socialization period which is crucial for the future behavior of the adult animal. As you will have understood, it is therefore essential to introduce the kitten or puppy as early as possible to different dogs, cats, birds, rodents and humans of all ages, sexes, builds, morphologies and even different skin colors .
Introducing an adult cat to a dog that is also an adult is nevertheless possible, even if it is the most difficult scenario. You will have to be patient so that the two have time to tame each other and try these few tips to make things easier. If your dog is rather "crazy", avoid having the first meeting with the cat with him.
If you can, organize this first meeting with another dog, that of a friend or neighbor, that you know is calmer. The cat will then be able to get used to this canine presence without fear. If this is not possible, take the precaution of taking a long walk during which you will make your dog run well to let him let off steam as much as possible before the meeting.
Also take the precaution of feeding both animals before bringing them together. With a full stomach, they will both be calmer.
Be present during the first meeting but keep your distance nonetheless, and intervene as little as possible. There may be a few hisses or growls at the beginning. The best thing is to let them do it while keeping an eye on them and only intervene if the meeting turns into a fight. The cat must be able to escape or perch up high to feel safe. So take care to install its bowl and resting place up high, out of reach of the dog.
It is also possible to precede the "physical confrontation" with an olfactory contact. Then place the animals in adjoining rooms where they will have the opportunity to sniff each other under the door for a few minutes before getting to know each other in the flesh.
Don't make people jealous. Don't favor the newcomer by covering him with caresses, the other would feel wronged. Be fair in the attentions lavished on one or the other.
Unfortunately, there is no miracle recipe to force a dog and a cat to love each other. As with humans, each individual has its own character that can make cohabitation very difficult or even impossible. These difficulties are surely due to incomplete socialization, or even trauma in the first weeks of life. Ignorance of the other's language and fear of the unknown are unfortunately the reasons for aggressive behavior and only education can overcome it.
Source: Everything for my dog
Different languages between dogs and cats
The dog is originally a natural predator of the cat. Nothing more normal then that mistrust persists, even unconsciously, between the 2 species. It is instinctive! It is all the more understandable since dogs and cats do not have the same communication codes. The most obvious example is the movement of the tail. A dog wagging its tail indicates the desire to play, joy while a cat wagging its tail expresses its annoyance or hostility. Identical signals that have radically opposite meanings are necessarily sources of misunderstandings, at the origin of tensions between animals of the two species.Getting to know each other
Ideally, dogs and cats should be accustomed from a young age to being around other animals, their own kind of course, but also animals that do not belong to their species. The first weeks of a puppy or kitten's life correspond to the socialization period. It is during this short period of time, from 0 to 12 weeks for a dog and up to the 9th week for a cat, that familiarization with other species is easiest. Indeed, during this period, the animal's brain is in full development. The more we stimulate it by introducing it to noises, sounds, smells, and different individuals, the easier it will be to adapt to all kinds of situations during its life and therefore to coexist with animals that do not belong to its species.This explains why a dog and a cat that have grown up together get along perfectly well. The dog is used to the cat and vice versa. Don't miss this socialization period which is crucial for the future behavior of the adult animal. As you will have understood, it is therefore essential to introduce the kitten or puppy as early as possible to different dogs, cats, birds, rodents and humans of all ages, sexes, builds, morphologies and even different skin colors .
Introducing an adult cat to a dog that is also an adult is nevertheless possible, even if it is the most difficult scenario. You will have to be patient so that the two have time to tame each other and try these few tips to make things easier. If your dog is rather "crazy", avoid having the first meeting with the cat with him.
If you can, organize this first meeting with another dog, that of a friend or neighbor, that you know is calmer. The cat will then be able to get used to this canine presence without fear. If this is not possible, take the precaution of taking a long walk during which you will make your dog run well to let him let off steam as much as possible before the meeting.
Also take the precaution of feeding both animals before bringing them together. With a full stomach, they will both be calmer.
Be present during the first meeting but keep your distance nonetheless, and intervene as little as possible. There may be a few hisses or growls at the beginning. The best thing is to let them do it while keeping an eye on them and only intervene if the meeting turns into a fight. The cat must be able to escape or perch up high to feel safe. So take care to install its bowl and resting place up high, out of reach of the dog.
It is also possible to precede the "physical confrontation" with an olfactory contact. Then place the animals in adjoining rooms where they will have the opportunity to sniff each other under the door for a few minutes before getting to know each other in the flesh.
Don't make people jealous. Don't favor the newcomer by covering him with caresses, the other would feel wronged. Be fair in the attentions lavished on one or the other.
Unfortunately, there is no miracle recipe to force a dog and a cat to love each other. As with humans, each individual has its own character that can make cohabitation very difficult or even impossible. These difficulties are surely due to incomplete socialization, or even trauma in the first weeks of life. Ignorance of the other's language and fear of the unknown are unfortunately the reasons for aggressive behavior and only education can overcome it.
Source: Everything for my dog