Fighting Like Cats and Dogs? The Secret to Introducing Your Pets Without the Chaos

While some pet owners are reassured they prefer cats or rather dogs, others are torn by the desire to get themselves both. The decision often turns out to be tricky because of all the talks about cats and dogs’ inability to get along no matter what their owner does.

Still, there’s a bunch of pretty successful cases proving that there’s only one criterium that needs to be followed for a cat and a dog to live happily under the same roof.

When Will a Cat and a Dog Become Friends?

According to many animal experts, the friendship between a cat and a dog depends on the pets’ realisation that the other animal doesn’t represent any threat to them and somehow can even help them navigate their life in a new home.

The best case scenario is when there’s an easy-tempered dog and a confident cat in the same house; if both pets are way too dominant or passive, there can be some tension between them.

Another thing to take into consideration is the dog’s breed, since some of those just won’t fit in the same household with a cat because of a strong hunting instinct. In this case, the cat’s single movement will be perceived by the dog as a reason to chase the former down.

How to Make Your Cat and Dog Friends?

Even if your pets don’t get along in the beginning, it doesn’t mean they’ll remain enemies for the rest of their lives. As experts claim, cats and dogs can learn to share the same space with time, though the owner’s help is also needed for it.

One of the most efficient methods is letting your pets get used to the smell of each other (for instance, try allowing your cat to sleep on your dog’s bed for a little bit).

Another secret is to make them stay close to each other while eating, thus adjusting them to the thought of always having a “neighbour” nearby. In this case, however, remember that pets should be fed one after another, so that they wouldn’t have a feeling of competition for the food.