Pet Blog

The truth about cats and dogs . . . it’s the simple age old rivalry that has plagued the hearts of pet lover’s for centuries on in. Put one in front of the other and it’s like World War III. The simple fact that dogs and cats just can’t always seem to get it together . . . together, can really be devastating for pet owners who have a special place in their heart for both cats and dogs. This is especially true if you already have both types of pets in the home and are living in what seems to be “Ground Zero”.

Understanding the Four Legged Feud

When it comes to understanding the reason cats and dogs aren’t instant fast friends . . . aka totally freak out in each other’s presence . . . it all begins with each of their instinctual make-ups. Dogs were created with the instinct to prey on smaller animals. In the wild, since there are no Kibbles and Bits or Old Roy, this is what they depend on to stay fed. On the opposite spectrum, cats come equipped with the instinct to steer clear of dogs because of their predatory predisposition.

With their very different backgrounds, it’s easy to see why they aren’t anxious to curl up on the couch together! It would kind of be like a flower cozying up to hungry caterpillar!

Is it Possible for Cats and Dogs to Live in Harmony?

While it takes some patience, the answer is yes. In fact, many cats and dogs that are raised together have a rather good chance of getting along well without much help. In some instances, we have even heard of puppies raised in a family with one or more cats that have started to believe that they are cats!

However, if you have an older dog or cat, introducing its arch-enemy into the family can be much more difficult. As the old saying goes “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks” – while this isn’t entirely true, it is quite a task to teach older animals to get along with new pets . . . especially because it seems as though these famous foes are invading their territory.

While it does take some time and patience, it can be done . . . even with older pets. There will be ups and downs – these are to be expected. Just know that even as the peaks and valleys come, they simply mean you are headed towards the goal of ultimately climbing over the hill.

Tips for Creating Forever Friends

Respect the “Tail” of the House

When it comes to pets, we know that “territories” can be a line that intruding pets should never cross . . . and in this case, the new pet whether cat or dog will be the intruder for several weeks. And while it may seem unfair, we have to be willing to stroke the old pet’s “ego” for a while.

If you give all your love and attention to new pets, as we are often tempted to do with the excitement of it all, the old pet will begin to feel as though this animal is trying to take his “territory” over. This is a place you don’t want to be.

Avoid this by making the new pet a “guest” for a period of time. Put them in the bathroom for a while, introducing them to the old pet only briefly and in safe circumstances. Never scold the old pet in the beginning. Simply separate the new animal and try again later.

Play Dates in a Safety Net

Make sure your pets have plenty of time to get to know each other . . . just be sure that these visits are always supervised. There may be lots of bullying without you around to play ref. Again, for a while, don’t scold either pet for “freaking out”. When things get heated or threaten to, simply remove the pets from one another and put them in separate rooms.

It’s a good idea to have each pet’s favorite toy in the room when creating play dates. Make it a cozy space that makes for mutually fun playtime. Having familiar items in the area can help comfort each pet and make them feel secure.

Don’t Force Friendship

If you have children, you know that the worst thing you can do to siblings is to “force” them to play together. This doesn’t work for kiddies and it doesn’t work for kitties (or puppies) either. It’s better to allow them to separate for a while than to have the pet deem the other as “demon dog” for eternity.

Make Play Time Fun

The best thing you can do for both pets is to make playtime fun for them both. Take time to get involved in their playtime. When they see you enjoying yourself, they will relax and take the time to enjoy themselves too. Within the first three to four weeks, with a little patience and lots of hard work, you should begin to see the beginning of a budding friendship.