Cat and dog in the same apartment. Love or war?

There are many people who love cats and dogs at the same time. And these pets, as you know, by nature do not get along with each other. But this is only in theory: in practice, there are dogs that get along with cats in an apartment and get along well at the same time. But it was the owners who helped them make friends first of all. A lot depends on your behavior, especially in the first days of the meeting. Be patient and follow simple tips that will help make friends with animals and avoid conflicts.

The first meeting of a cat and a dog

When getting a new pet, owners rarely think about how to teach a cat and dog to live together and naively expect that their pets will get along. But the first meeting is the most important. Further relationships between animals depend on it.

A common mistake owners make is not to interfere with their pets’ relationship in the first days. There is a misconception that animals will sort things out among themselves. But that won't happen. Even if it doesn’t come to a fight, the cat will most likely harbor a grudge or be very scared.

Note! The pet that originally lived in the house experiences intense jealousy towards the other animal. Never use force as punishment if your pet aggressively accepts a new neighbor.

But you shouldn’t indulge an animal for fear of offending it either. You must show your pets that you will love them both and will not allow them to quarrel, that you are the “leader” in the house and nothing else.

The following recommendations and tips will be useful to you:

• If possible, before adding a second pet, encourage the dog’s friendly attitude towards kittens and adult cats;
• do not let the dog close to the cat, otherwise it will start hissing and throwing itself;
• If possible, keep the animals in different rooms for the first days, even if the pets do not start fights;
• Do not feed animals in the same room.

The most dangerous dogs are hunting breeds, especially dachshunds. They take a long time to get used to cats and can hurt them in the first weeks of living in the house. In your presence, the dog may behave relatively calmly, but at the first opportunity it will grab the cat’s neck. Hunting dogs act this way instinctively.

Ideally, it is recommended to first accustom the dog to the smell of the cat. Let the animals be in different rooms. A new pet must first get used to the house or apartment. After 1-2 days you can arrange the first meeting. Keep animals at a distance of 2-3 meters. When trying to attack, the dog should be scolded, but not beaten. Prepare treats for both of you. First, pet an animal that was already in the house (it is more difficult to experience jealousy), and then a new pet. Then give everyone their favorite treat as a reward for being friendly.

The first meeting of a cat and a dog

When meeting pets for the first time, patience is important. It is necessary to keep them not together, but in different rooms, until the pets get used to each other’s smell. At the same time, if there is an older dog in the house, regardless of purebred or stray, they begin to work with him, give him treats, if on the street he does not rush after the yard cats. Be sure to teach the dog basic commands.

First acquaintance plays an important role

In relation to a pair of an older cat and a small puppy, it will not be possible to teach the former to do this. Although, according to statistics, it will be easier for them to make friends, since cats perceive a new companion less aggressively.

For your information! After a few days, I can meet the cat and puppy in reality, so to speak for real. It is important to allocate a large room for this, and until the animals have sniffed each other, do not leave them alone for now.

It is important not to rush the animals, as the grinding process is not quick. You should not push the cat or dog towards each other; acquaintance should happen naturally. Often, a dog can show maximum emotions, lack of restraint regarding the first acquaintance with a cat, the latter can hiss and attack. Therefore, you should distract the dog and work on controlling its activity in the future.

Ideal age

To ensure that a cat and a dog live peacefully in the same apartment, get a puppy and a kitten of the same age. Kids are not so aggressive, they are easy-going, and their natural curiosity helps them quickly establish friendly relations with each other.

But how to make friends between a cat and a dog of different ages? Animals will have to be given more time to adapt. Be patient, take your time, and most importantly, do not use physical punishment for disobedience.

Note! You cannot beat an animal, even if it attacks a new neighbor. The pet will associate pain and resentment with him and will never warm to him.

Adult dog and kitten

It will not be possible to accustom an adult dog to a kitten right away. Never leave your baby unattended. An adult animal can cause serious injuries to a kitten even during play.

Provide the kitten with a comfortable place to rest at a height so that the dog cannot get there. Feed the animals in separate rooms for the first weeks of living together. Give food to the older pet first. In the future, each animal should have its own bowl for food and water.

Adult cat and puppy

Adult cats are usually aggressive towards dogs, but if the puppy is not allowed close, then there will not be any problems. Animals should be kept in separate rooms. A cat may scratch a puppy who is naturally curious and playful. Animals should have separate places to rest and eat. The cat can quickly get tired of the puppy's games. She will want to retire and sleep. She should have this opportunity, especially if the pets are in the same room.

Adult animals

Is it possible and how to make friends between a cat and a dog if the animals are already adults? The situation is complicated. The dog perceives the cat as prey or an object to play with. Therefore, the dog must be kept separately. If it is not possible to separate your pets, purchase a dog enclosure. When you first meet, keep your dog muzzled and on a short leash.

Bring the animals together for a few minutes every day, but keep them at such a distance that the cat does not start to hiss and rush. If she does rush, tie the dog nearby, give the command “sit”, go up to the cat and pet her to relieve fear and tension. Then go up to the dog and pet him too. Encourage your pets' calm attitude towards each other with various treats, but do not fully feed them in the same room until they really become friends.

Raising a kitten and puppy

Kids will inevitably adopt each other's habits. This means that if the kitten loves to sleep on the sofa, then the puppy will soon discover that this is the most comfortable place to sleep in the house. If one of the pets chews shoes or furniture, then the second one will begin to sharpen its teeth or claws on these objects. For this reason, it is important to raise all pets to the same standard.

If you forbid the puppy to whine and beg for food from the table, then the kitten should understand that he is not allowed to beg. At the same time, it is important that each of them sees why the other is being punished. When bringing two small animals into your home at the same time, you need to be prepared for the fact that they will require twice as much control.

Likewise, it is important to try to give an equal amount of attention to each baby. Otherwise, pets may become offended and stop respecting and obeying their owner. At the same time, “equal” does not always mean “the same,” because every pet needs affection from the owner and other family members, but its manifestations can be very different from what another pet expects from the family.

Subscribe to the newsletter and get a discount at the pet store “Lubimchik”

Thanks for subscribing!

How to make friends between a cat and a dog in an apartment

There are plenty of situations when animals have to be in a limited space from the first days. In this case, the question arises: how to make friends between a cat and a dog in an apartment if it is not possible to separate the animals? A large dog needs an enclosure. Be sure to provide your cat with a place to rest and hide from an angry neighbor.

Avoid situations where pets are jealous. You can’t scold one and immediately feel sorry for the other. This causes a feeling of anger. Try to divide your attention equally between your pets.

The dog must know basic commands in order to be controlled. Don't let animals eat out of their own bowls. If you feed your pets with dry food, you need to buy separate food for your cat and dog, since these animals have different needs for nutrients and calories.

Cooperative games

A kitten and a puppy in the same apartment will run and play together, which means there is a high probability that they may accidentally harm each other. To prevent this from happening, it is important to monitor the length of the animals’ claws and trim them in time.

Games of small pets are usually a competition during which they learn to communicate and show their speed and dexterity. If you see that one of your pets has gone too far, bites hard or attacks, then you should intervene. However, you should never single out one pet and belittle another. Both should be punished for dangerous games. The leader of the pack should be the owner, and not any of the pets.

What is the reason for the strained relationship?

Zoologists say that cats are not afraid of dogs, but avoid unnecessary contact. Dogs crave companionship. Cats, on the contrary, walk on their own, they require personal space, and they do not like it when someone violates it.

A dog may approach a cat out of curiosity, but the first meeting is unlikely to end in friendship. Murka will either run away or try to scratch the poor dog. If the cat runs, it will provoke the dog to play chase; if it starts to hiss and scratch, it will cause a defensive reaction, which will lead to fear or aggression.

After the first unsuccessful attempt at acquaintance, a cat and a dog may never become friends. Therefore, it is important to conduct the first meeting of pets correctly and avoid mistakes.

Rules for keeping two animals in the same territory

If the owner wants to make friends with pets, then he should help them in every possible way, and not stay on the sidelines and watch the current developments of events. Here are some tips from a zoopsychologist on how to reconcile animals:

1. Adhere to the laws of hierarchy. They are very important in the life of animals. The older members of the “pack” should receive food first, and after them the younger ones are given food. Do not go beyond the established relationship, do not create privileges or concessions. By strictly following the rules, animals will learn them faster.
2. When going for a walk with your dog, take your cat with you. You can also put a leash on it. Walking together promotes rapprochement and friendship.
3. Come up with a game so that both pets can participate. For example, you can throw the ball to them one by one.
4. If the cat climbs onto the owner's lap, call the dog and pet it.
5. If the dog gets a little carried away with the game and accidentally bites the cat, do not use corporal punishment. Strictly say the command “no” and lock her in another room for a few minutes. She will understand that this is not worth doing and next time she will be more careful.
6. Trim the claws of aggressive cats or use anti-scratch guards. Dog claws are not so sharp and cannot cause much harm. And they are not used as often in disassemblies as cat ones.
7. Pay attention to feeding your pets. The cat calmly leaves the uneaten food in the bowl when it is full. When he gets hungry, he will approach her again. The dog is inclined to eat its portion, and will happily take advantage of the addition from the cat’s plate. In order not to upset the cat, place his bowl in a place inaccessible to the dog.
8. Designate a separate litter box for your cat. She may be stressed by the dog's proximity, which will lead to infrequent bowel movements and intestinal blockage.

Common Mistakes

Inexperienced owners often do not know what to do in a given situation, which leads to the following mistakes:

• Poor nutrition: if everyone eats at the same time and nearby, then someone will inevitably try to steal food from someone else’s plate.
• Uncontrolled first meeting: some let the cat and dog communicate freely, not thinking that this could develop into a fight.
• Lack of separate resting places: cats are introverts by nature. Long communication will infuriate the pet and can lead to aggression. It is advisable to give the cat its place on a hill.
• Playing off animals: they will remember a fight that happens once for the rest of their stay, so clashes should not be allowed.

What dog breeds are cat friendly?

If you decide to have a dog and a cat in your apartment, it is better to choose friendly breeds, such as:

1. Golden retriever.
2. Pug.
3. Papillon.
4. Basset Hound.
5. German boxer.
6. Bichon Frize.

For an apartment with a cat, these dog breeds will be a great addition. Natural compatibility and friendliness will speed up the process of bringing animals together. And the equal love and care of the owner will bring peace and satisfaction to the “flock”.