Living in Harmony

There can be harmony in your home if you have a dog and a cat. If they grew up together, there is a higher likelihood that they will tolerate each other well. But if you have a dog and are thinking about getting a feline, then there are a few things to consider.

Being stressed is one of the top reasons for breaking the litter box rules and training!

First, does your new cat have a safe haven to escape to? It is a good idea to create a space where the canine cannot access to give the cat a place to go. A few examples, is there a room that only the cat can reach or an high places that they can hop to? Putting a baby gate up or a cat door in will help quite a bit. Clearing off a few places such as the top of the fridge or high bookshelf will allow the cat a safe area to hide when over stimulated.

Secondly, when introducing the dog and cat make sure the dog is leashed. This will help you in the long run when teaching the dog about the cat. If the dog is leashed, you will be able to assess if the dog can be trusted and won’t chase the cat. When the pooch is doing what it should then reward the dog with treats or pull the dog back via the leash.

Some dogs may not take well to the cat. That means they should probably not be together, keep the pets on separate sides of the house. Or maybe one is an outdoor pet while the other is indoor. You will have to check to see how your pets react to one another and maybe have dogs and cats living together, mass hysteria.

If you have any questions, here is an article about helping animals live together from the SPCA.