How to make cats and dogs get along?

Hello, hello, pet parents! Want to know how to make cats and dogs get along?

It's no secret that cats and dogs have a kind of natural rivalry between them, right?

Therefore, a mission that can be quite difficult when it comes to dealing with pets is bringing them closer together. 

And especially when the animals in question are this pair.

It was with this difficulty and the problems that guardians who want to see their dogs and cats get along in mind that we thought of this content.

Throughout the text, we talk more about this difficulty in getting the two species closer together and we also give some tips to help you make your dogs and cats get along and, thus, live together in a more harmonious and conflict-free way.

Is it possible to make cats and dogs get along?

For all these years, dogs and cats have always been seen as natural enemies. 

And since we were little, we watch films and cartoons that show this type of relationship, serving to further highlight this rivalry between them in our heads.

But it turns out that the situation is not quite like that.

Obviously, cats and dogs are not the best friends in the animal world. But their relationship is also far from being the deadly rivalry that many people think.

It is entirely possible to bring the two species together, allowing them to live in harmony – like that cute video of a dog and a cat sleeping together that occasionally appears on our timeline while we are on social media.

Is it necessary to raise dogs and cats together for them to get along?

You’re probably thinking, “Ah, but for them to live together in peace, it’s necessary to raise them together since they’re puppies, right?” In fact, not necessarily.

It is entirely possible to introduce a new dog into an environment that has a cat – or vice versa. 

If this adaptation process – we will talk more about this later – is done correctly, you will see that the relationship between the two can indeed become very friendly. 

And, depending on this level of closeness, the two of them can even become inseparable friends.

Tips for getting cats and dogs to get along

Now that you know about friendship – or at least a friendly coexistence – between dogs and cats that live together, it's time to talk a little more about some tips.

Through them, you will learn some habits and tricks that will help you strengthen the relationship between these two species.

Make sure you have the necessary structure and space for this. 

Before even thinking about introducing or approaching the animals, it is necessary to carefully evaluate your decision to adopt a new pet before making it.

Make sure your home has all the necessary structure to accommodate both species of animals together.

Remember: depending on the relationship between the two animals and the direction that the first contacts between them will take, it may be necessary to leave them a little separated for a while until they get used to this change.

Introducing the animals to each other for the first time

Have you carefully assessed your home and seen that you have the space you need for this new adventure? Then let’s move on to the next step.

If you want your pets to establish a good relationship, this is a more than fundamental step.

To do this, it is necessary to create a good foundation to help avoid misunderstandings. 

Before actually introducing them, a good option is to leave the dog in one room and the cat in another. This way, they can smell each other and gradually get used to the new thing.

For the presentation itself, wait until your cat is more relaxed and ready. And, during the presentation, hold the feline firmly in your lap to avoid any accidents.

Know how to divide the space well – at least in the first few days

Remember the space evaluation we mentioned in the first topic of this list? Here you will better understand why.

At first, it may be a good idea to keep the animals separated for a few days. This way, they can adapt more naturally and at their own pace.

A good way for them to get used to each other is to pet one of them and then bring your hand out for the other animal to smell.

This way, it will be easier for one to get used to the arrival of the other, and vice versa.

And remember: it is important to avoid leaving them alone and unsupervised. This way you will avoid any games that could hurt the pets and even aggressive behavior between them.

Know how to balance your attention between the two animals

Even though you are dealing with a new member of your household, you need to know how to balance your attention between the new resident and the old resident(s).

Giving more attention to one or the other may make one of the animals jealous. And this will probably have a negative impact on the development of the good relationship you want to build between the animals.

When you are petting one, also offer petting to the other. That way no one gets jealous.

Set aside a special corner for your kitty

If you are in the situation of bringing a new kitten into your home where there is already a dog – or more than one – it is necessary to invest in the “safety” of your pet.

As everyone knows, most cats like to have their own space and have the freedom to come and go. Therefore, it may be interesting to install furniture to make their environment more cat-friendly – we talk a little about this type of decoration here.

This way, you will ensure that your kitten has more freedom to escape from situations that may be stressful for him. 

Conclusion

Did you see how friendship between cats and dogs is not an impossible mission?

This content just shows that, with dedication, patience and knowing how to use the tips correctly, it is completely possible to introduce a kitten into an environment with a dog, or a puppy into a house dominated by a cat.

Now just put the tips into practice and watch your dog and cat start to get along better and better.

Did you like this content? Then take the opportunity to read it too Anxiety in dogs in 6 symptoms: see what they are!