Tips for Getting Your Cat and Dog to Get Along
Cats and dogs are often considered natural enemies, but does it really have to be this way? There are definitely some fundamental differences between these animals: cats are solitary creatures that are often skittish, while dogs are loud pack animals that want to smell everything they encounter.
However, this doesn’t mean that cats and dogs can’t get along. It just means that they need to be introduced to a positive, patient environment.
Have you just bought a new puppy or kitten? If so, here are six tips to help your cat and dog get along.
Supervise Interactions to Start With
Supervise any interactions between your cat and dog for the first few weeks. This will protect both animals, as either could become aggressive and end up hurting the other. So, supervise their interactions and intervene if things get aggressive.
Give the Cat a Safe Space
Create a few safe spaces where your cat can hide from the dog if/when it feels threatened. It is important for both animals to feel safe inside the home, so ensure that the dog can’t access the cat’s safe space. You can do this by creating safe spaces in higher places, such as on top of the fridge, or in an open cupboard. A better solution is buying a cat tree or building your own DIY cat tree. This will give your feline friend a place to sleep, groom, and get away from the dog when they need their space.
Focus on Desensitization
To begin with, it is likely that the animals will be very aware of each other, so aim for desensitization. The first time the animals meet it is likely that the dog will get excited and try to smell the cat, but this might make the cat stressed and upset. Prevent this from happening by introducing them through a baby gate, so the animals can’t touch each other (or hurt each other!).
Aim to do this every day for a few weeks. Over time, the animals will get more used to being around each other and the dog will become less excitable.
Use Obedience Training
Dogs have a very high prey instinct, so it is likely they will try to chase the cat. Take time to teach the dog that this is bad behavior and reward them with a treat (such as CBD treat from CeeBeeDoo) when they interact with the cat without bothering it. This may be a little annoying for the dog to begin with, but they will quickly learn to leave the cat alone.
Do a Scent Swap
It can also be useful to do a scent swap. People mostly use vision to assess their surroundings, but cats and dogs also rely on smell. So do a scent swap: exchange their bedding for a few days, or rub a towel on each animal and then put the towels on the floor. This will help both animals get used to the new smells in their home.
Be Patient
It is possible that your pets will get along within a few days, but this is rarely the case. It normally takes weeks for animals to fully integrate with each other. So be patient, and eventually they will start to co-exist peacefully!