Dog blog
Peaceful coexistence of cat and dog. How to achieve it?
Cats and dogs are often considered enemies and many people cannot imagine their coexistence. Yet there are many households where both pets live, and it certainly does not seem like a battlefield. When introducing a dog and a cat, just follow a few basic rules and they will not be far from becoming partners.
The easiest thing of all is to raise them together from birth. Puppy and kitten get used to each other amazingly fast and in most cases, they do not even think of each other as uninvited guests. The opportunity to get both at the same time is probably rare, but it is not even more difficult to introduce an adult animal to a kitten or puppy. Be cautious at that point, though, and always keep them under control until you are sure they will not hurt each other. You can trim the cat's claws at the beginning to prevent her from hurting the dog.
First contact
How about a first date? A playpen can make it easier. The animals can sniff through it and still stay safe. So have a few meetings. Start with a few minutes and extend the intervals if everything goes well. When you think it's time to remove the playpen, clip your dog on the leash for safety and let the pets get close to each other. The leash serves as a safety device to keep the dog from chasing the cat. Get the dog to sit quietly, use rewards if you wish, and if all goes well without fuss, reward their behavior appropriately.
In any case, be patient and be aware of the differences between cats and dogs. A cat is territorial by nature, and if she has never been exposed to other animals, she may initially guard her territory with her claws. In contrast, a dog is a friendly, loyal creature that likes to get along with others in most situations. Even so, the territorial behavior of a cat might not be to his taste. Therefore, both should know where their place is, and where they will do feel safe.
One big gang
The goal is for the dog to accept the cat into his pack and for the cat to tolerate him. It often happens that the cat subdues the dog so much, that it is a cat "bossing" the whole household finally. Think often about not giving either one a reason to be jealous. Try to attend to them separately, one at a time, and when you stroke one animal, do not forget the same with the other, and then ideally play with both at the same time.
What about feeding? Each one, for sure, should have their own food and water bowls. Ideally farther apart. And finally, one more piece of practical advice. Find a suitable place for the cat's litter box. One, that the dog cannot get to, because they like to go there to munch on cat excrement.
