0
0
“They live together like a dog with a cat” – we will tell about those who make each other’s lives miserable by disputes. A stereotypical cat will not get along with a dog, as these two species hate each other by definition. Is it really so?
EXCEPTION CONFIRM THE RULE?
“It is a common belief that you can have either cats or dogs in your home. The two species are allegedly so different that they find it difficult to live in harmony. This antagonism further strengthens the belief that people are divided into doggie and cat breeders, as if the cat and the dog were opposing teams. Meanwhile, each of us has seen at least one case of a cat-dog play or at least heard of one. The internet is full of loving pics of these pets sleeping or playing together. Are these just exceptions that prove the rule? Let’s take a closer look at this.
WILL THEM LIKE HERE?
“There is no single answer to the question of whether keeping a dog and a cat under the same roof is a good idea. Each case is different. Representatives of these two species often mate with each other if they grew up together, so they know each other from an early age. In other cases it is different – it is influenced by many factors. If you want to have both a dog and a cat, you need to answer a few questions.
DOES YOUR CAT KNOW OTHER ANIMALS?
“Cats and dogs undergo intense socialization in the first months of their lives. How it unfolds has a huge impact on what their personality will be like in the future. If during this period we make sure that our pet gains positive experiences in contact with other animals, there is a good chance that he will accept the new four-legged household sooner. Cats that get to know a dog’s smell and observe dog behavior in their early youth are more tolerant of their barking buddies. Cats that do not leave the house, and in their entire life only saw their own cat family and possibly pigeons outside the window, have no idea what to expect from a dog and how to handle it. In such a situation, accepting a new pet into the family requires caution and vigilance. It is worth contacting a behaviorist who will help us arrange a new animal acquaintance.
HOW DOES YOUR CAT REACT TO DOG (AND VERSE)?
“If you’ve been a cat or dog owner for a while, remember how your pet has reacted to other pets so far. Was he curious and playful? Or maybe he ran behind the couch and did not come out for the next few hours? Or he attacked immediately? These kinds of reactions tell a lot about an animal’s personality, whether it is fearful or rather fearless, and how it endures change in general. A cat that appreciates peace above all else and reacted with a few days of trauma to the neighbor’s dog may be able to accept the new household member, but there is also a good chance that the comfort of his life will drop significantly and he will be under more stress. Some dog breeds have a flair for hunting in their genes. Such quadrupeds instinctively chase the cat, scaring it. If you are considering buying or adopting a dog, opt for a breed that is less temperamental and mild-mannered. In the case of a non-purebred dog, be sure to learn about its history and attitude to other animals. It is worth reading the breed patterns, discussing the matter in depth with the existing dog handler, in one word: find out about a potential new family member as much as possible.
