| Many people believe that it is impossible for cats | | | | the dog doesn't manage to get the cat, it will |
| and dogs to live together peacefully. Perhaps this | | | | most likely make the cat's life difficult by |
| belief is brought on by images seen in cartoons or | | | | continually chasing after it. Similarly, a puppy might |
| by one or two negative experiences between | | | | need to be protected from a particularly territorial |
| cats and dogs. But, in reality, it is quite possible for | | | | or mean cat. |
| the two species to live together peacefully - and | | | | Dogs can also be trained to leave cats alone, just |
| even to live together as friends. | | | | as they can be trained to fetch, sit or stand still. |
| Genetics | | | | For a pet owner who has the time and patience, |
| Genetically, there are reasons for cats and dogs | | | | the dog can be leashed with a training collar. |
| to dislike each other. By nature, dogs are | | | | Another person can bring the cat increasingly |
| predators that tend to chase things that move | | | | closer to the dog. If the dog sits still it, should be |
| quickly and that are smaller than them. Of course, | | | | praised. If it attempts to lunge after the cat, the |
| cats fit this description, making them the perfect | | | | leash should be pulled and the dog should be told |
| play toy for dogs wanting to utilize their | | | | "No. Leave it!" Some dogs learn quickly while |
| predatory skills. | | | | others take a little longer. |
| Cats, who are also predatory, can also exhibit | | | | Another approach for training the dog can also be |
| stalking behaviours toward dogs; despite the fact | | | | utilized. This approach uses positive association. |
| the dog is usually much bigger. In addition, cats will | | | | Each time the dog is in the same room as the |
| defend themselves, so thus begins the rivalry. | | | | cat, it is provided with extra attention and treats. |
| Environmental Influence | | | | Soon, the dog realizes having the cat in the room |
| Of course genetics and instinct alone isn't the only | | | | is a good thing because it gets something good |
| reason why dogs and cats sometimes don't get | | | | out of it. In this way, it positively associates the |
| along. During the first 2 to 3 months of an | | | | cat with things that it desires - affection and |
| animal's life, it learns who its friends and its | | | | tasty treats! |
| enemies are. Therefore, a puppy raised with cats | | | | Feeding Time |
| will most likely tend to get along better with the | | | | Even cats and dogs that get along might start |
| cats. Similarly, a kitten raised with dogs will not | | | | fighting during mealtime. Most animals are very |
| think much of the dogs. In fact, it is often easier | | | | protective of their food. In addition, they tend to |
| to raise a new kitten in a household with dogs | | | | be quite curious about the food the other animal |
| than the other way around because cats tend to | | | | is enjoying. For this reason, it is best to have |
| be more territorial than dogs. A highly predatory | | | | separate feeding stations for cats and dogs. |
| dog, however, will make it more difficult to | | | | It is best to place the cat's food in a high, hard to |
| introduce a new kitten to the household. | | | | reach area. Otherwise, the dog will have a |
| Training Pets to Live in Peace and Harmony | | | | tendency to eat the cat's food, or to at least try |
| Teaching cats and dogs that don't get along with | | | | to eat it. Of course, the food should still be placed |
| each other to live together can be a somewhat | | | | in an area the cat can easily reach and eat |
| difficult task, but it is possible. The best way to | | | | comfortably. Cats don't generally try to eat dog |
| accomplish this is to allow the animals to spend | | | | food. But, in the case of a cat that does, this |
| time together while a human chaperone is | | | | behaviour should be discouraged. The best way to |
| present. The more time animals spend with one | | | | do this is to feed the two animals at the same |
| another, the more tolerant they become of the | | | | time, but in different places. |
| other. In fact, this can often lead to a very | | | | It is also important to remember that cat and |
| affectionate relationship. Puppies and kittens that | | | | dog food each have different nutrients, so one |
| are raised together have the best chance of | | | | should not be used in place of the other. |
| developing a positive relationship. | | | | Therefore, it is not only necessary to keep the |
| If a dog has been particularly cruel to cats in the | | | | food separate in order for the pets to live in |
| past, however, it is probably not a good idea to | | | | harmony; it is also necessary to keep them |
| try to get the two species to co-exist. Even if | | | | healthy. |