Help Your Dog And Cat Get Along With Each Other – Here’s How?
Dogs and cats are perceived as natural nemeses. In reality, they actually are. This is because dogs and cats belong to two very different species. That’s probably why they see each other as potential threats and prey.
But does that mean they can’t get along? Of course, not.
In fact, there are many households out there that have proven the fact that dogs and cats can actually become best of friends.
Now you might be thinking that cats prefer living aloof while dogs love being clingy, so how would they tolerate each other’s company? Well, that’s exactly what we are going to unveil right here.
Read on to learn more about how to help your dog and cat get along with each other.
- Give the cat his own private territory
It is needless to say that cats need their own private and protected space.
This way, your new pet would know that he is welcomed into the house and would be able to spend some alone time without being bothered by his canine sibling.
In fact, you must also have a separate space for your cat where he can have his meals without feeling threatened.
Speaking of which… You should know that you can’t feed the same food you feed you used to feed your dog. It would be best to refill your feline’s bowl with dry cat food to ensure his health at mealtimes.
That being said, you must also keep your cat’s litter box away from your dog. Your cat should feel safe doing his business.
- Spruce up on the obedience training
According to veterinarians, dogs have higher levels of prey instincts. This means that there’s a good chance that if your dog and cat aren’t getting along, it is because of the dog.
Dogs have a tendency to chase and run after small fluffy animals, one of which is cats. This would end up developing a sense of fear amongst your cat. And that’s definitely no way to start any friendship.
So, in order to curb your dog’s unwanted behavior, it would be best to spruce up on his obedience training. This way, you can help your dog learn that chasing a cat around is not something you would appreciate.
Teaching basic commands such as “sit,” “stay,” and “down” can help you handle and control your dog, especially during the first interaction with his new friend.
- Add a baby gate for desensitization
As mentioned above, dogs are full of energy, which means that they might get a bit too excited after seeing their feline siblings. This, in turn, might end up making your cat feeling uneasy, making it difficult to interact.
And that’s exactly where installing a baby gate can come in handy and help in desensitization.
The best part of this is that even though it keeps the duo separated, your cat and dog can still see and sniff each other.
It will also help your dog get used to the presence of his new sibling and might even stop overreacting down the road.
In the end,
Hopefully, the tips mentioned above can help your dog and cat get along with each other the right way.
If done right, your cat and dog would eventually learn to tolerate each other’s presence and might even become best friends.
