September 17, 2018 |4 min read
Tips for Getting Pet Cats and Dogs to Get Along
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If you love animals, there's a good chance that you're not going to limit yourself to one kind of pet. You may want to have both a pet dog and a pet cat to be your furry friends at home. However, while you may love dogs and cats, they might not naturally love each other. However, as a pet parent, there are some things you can do to ensure that your animals are as peaceful as possible together. Here are some of the most helpful tips for ensuring your pet dog and pet cat get along.
Create a Zone for the Cat
To make the cat feel safe in the relationship, it needs a spot that's theirs. Create a zone that's for the cat only, and let the cat spend time there so it clearly feels like their space. Then, introduce the cat to the dog. Don't let the dog get into the cat's private zone, because that's the place that should always feel like a safe refuge. Consider taking advantage of the vertical space in your house, like high ledges or on countertops.
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Introduce the Two Carefully
Make sure you think through and carefully execute the meeting between the dog and the cat for the first time. Keep the dog on a leash so you have control over how much movement he can make. Then, let the animals smell each other through a door before they can see each other. Replace the door with a gate or screen after several days, then remove the barrier. Allow the dog to sniff the cat, and allow the cat to retreat if she feels uncomfortable or threatened. Continue this process slowly until you feel confident that they're comfortable and it's safe to let the dog off his leash.
Make Sure They Have Their Own Toys
Your cat should have her own toys and your dog should have his own toys. Sharing toys leads cats and dogs to fighting. Only play with your cat using certain toys geared towards cats (i.e. feathers), and only play with your dog using certain toys for him (bones, etc.) By designating toys, you can reduce fighting.
Give Equal Attention
Both dogs and cats can love to be loved by their humans. Make sure you don't neglect either if you're going to keep both as pets. Give your dog attention and affection via walks and pets, and cuddle your cat when she's looking for some love, too. By ignoring one for the other, you can create jealousy and territorial reactions.
When you have a pet dog or cat and you want to expand your pet family to include another type of animal, you may hesitate for fear of the two not getting along. Luckily, however, there are some steps you can take to ensure that your cat and dog get along well. By taking some active steps to ensure everyone lives in harmony, you can create the most peaceful, loving, and enjoyable animal-friendly home for everyone who lives there- including your beloved furry friends!
If you do have a pet cat, consider making your home even more stress-free by using Pretty Litter. Our subscription litter service makes keeping your cat's litter as clean and fresh-smelling as convenient and easy as possible.
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