Cat and dog: enemies or friends?
It is generally accepted that these animals are always on the verge of war among themselves. Cats live with a person in his house, and dogs live in the yard. As soon as they cross paths, a brawl breaks out. The fluffy beauty tries to hide in a secluded place, and the dog chases her. However, this is not always the case; friendship between cats and dogs still exists.
A person must remember that in nature these animals are hunters. The difference is that dogs chase everyone and are ready to rush even at a healthy elephant, but cats are more sophisticated and intelligent in nature - they will hunt down smaller prey that they really can handle. Cats are not afraid of dogs; they run away from them so as not to get involved. If a fluffy beauty or a fluffy handsome man has a desire, then they will grab the offender’s nose without regret.
Bichon Frize
These snow-white miniature dogs resemble fluffy buns. Their docile nature is evidenced by the fact that representatives of the decorative breed were very fond of the European nobility. The dogs allowed themselves to be cut and curled, their fur decorated with ribbons and jewelry, and doused with perfume. And the dogs endured all this, while remaining optimistic.
This is a family-type breed - Bichons enjoy playing with children and other pets, maintaining mobility and activity even in old age. They are sincerely friendly not only with cats, but also with dogs much larger than themselves - there is no aggression or swagger in Bichons at all.
Can these animals live in the same house with humans?
Many people think that they will not live in the same room and that the friendship between cats and dogs will not work out. But it is not so. It all depends on the person. If he makes every effort, then everything will end well. There is no inherent enmity between them.
Nature has created it in such a way that these animals should not intersect with each other at all. They behave differently in the world around them, obtain food and rest differently. They express their feelings individually, which is why misunderstandings arise.
Cats love to walk by themselves. They are touchy and selfish. Even when living with a person in his house, they behave arrogantly, watching everything from above or from a distance. Dogs love a close relationship with their owner. They climb, wag their tail, bark, that is, they do everything to be noticed, praised and talked to.
By attacking the cat and knocking it over, they try to get to know each other. Dogs sniff it and bite it, thereby disturbing the cat’s space to the maximum. The cat runs away, and the dog, accordingly, follows it, as its hunting instinct manifests itself. A person who wants to have these animals at the same time is faced with the task of making efforts to ensure that the friendship of cats and dogs takes place in his home.
Differences between cats and dogs
Apart from differences in personality, it is important to consider that the lifestyles of animals are very different. The dog needs more care. If this is not a dwarf pet that is litter trained, it needs to be walked regularly. Even if your companion knows how to relieve himself in diapers, it is vital for him to be outside. The socialization of the pet depends on this: a well-adapted pet will feel more confident and cope with problems faster, otherwise the dog may become cowardly, afraid of everything and behave badly. The latter is expressed in an unrestrained reaction to strangers.
Dogs can play and exercise with their owner
Dogs, unlike cats, need regular exercise. If the latter rest most of the time, then the close relatives of their shaggy companions - wolves - are almost constantly on the move. Without sufficient physical activity, the dog experiences nervous tension and begins to throw out unspent energy. In most cases, this is expressed in the destruction of the house: the pet chews furniture, tears up wallpaper, bites wires, etc. The cat is more independent. She tolerates the absence of her owner more calmly and requires less attention.
Cats often pick at furniture because they need to sharpen their claws, so it's important to make sure to provide an alternative in advance.
When choosing, it is also important to take into account the financial component. The main expense item is food, unless we are talking about show animals. Food is always cheaper for dogs because they have less need for pure meat and eat more plant-based ingredients and by-products. This applies not only to the natural menu, but also to ready-made dry food. However, with larger dogs the costs may be higher. I have a cat and a Labrador at home. A cat eats 40–50 g of food per day, a Labrador retriever eats about 300–400 g. This is 6–10 times more. Even taking into account the fact that I buy holistic food for the cat and inexpensive super-premium food for the dog, the difference is colossal: it costs no more than 1,000 rubles a month to feed the former, but I spend about 4,000 rubles on my Labrador. The only saving grace is that shaggy companions tolerate diets with grains better, since they are not absolute predators.
Tips for reconciling pets
In any case, you should adhere to the following rules:
- At first, do not leave the animals alone and watch them.
- Avoid situations in which the dog chases the cat. The animal perceives any escape from itself as hunting. In this case, you will have to forget about the friendship of cats and dogs.
- In the first days, do not allow the animals to communicate frequently. Cats love to settle down alone. They will sniff everything and look for secluded corners in your home.
- When you meet them, persuade the dog - do not let it react too violently to its new acquaintance. The cat must find a safe place for itself, from where it will watch the stranger until it gets used to it.
- Distribute your warmth and affection equally to animals so that jealousy does not arise.
- If you already have an adult cat and want to get a dog, then it is better to bring a young puppy into your home before the age of three months. Keep the cat away from the puppy for a while, he needs to get used to it, and she will watch her new acquaintance from afar. When he realizes that the cat is not dangerous, and she sees that the puppy is helpless, then, most likely, she will even take him under her wing and lick him like her own kitten.
- Food should be given to animals at the same time, in the same room, but in different places. The cat will definitely try the dog's treat. She is curious by nature and will be interested in what if it tastes better there. At first, do not let her eat other people's food, but later they may eat from the same dishes.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Do you want to have a super-perfect dog at home? Then get a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. A reliable companion, loyal to his owners to the point of puppy squeals - this is exactly him, the owner of a long, proud name. King Charles gets along well with children and animals; he will never offend a cat, even if it encroaches on the most sacred things - his bowl and bed.
A companion dog, a cheerful fidget with the kindest soul and expressive appearance, he will become an idol for both children and adults. Even the laziest cat will open one eye slightly if the dog walks past with a playful gait.
How to understand that friendship has taken place?
If the animals already eat and sleep together, then the friendship between the cat and the dog has taken place. But do not forget that if your furry beauty falls in love with a new friend, then she will still treat all other dogs differently. If you see that the dog greets a new girlfriend or friend with a wagging tail, then he is in a positive position for further communication. Cats will come up with their own rules in relationships, and dogs will obey them.
A little time will pass and the cat will understand that sleeping next to a dog is warm and cozy. She will lie down next to her new friend, and all you have to do is give the same amount of love to both pets. If there is no jealousy, then there will be friendship between people, cats and dogs!
A dog that purrs
And this cute story is the opposite - the dog was raised in a family with six cats and is absolutely sure that it also belongs to the cat family. A funny puppy named Winston loves his family, but his most amazing feature is the ability to purr when he is petted.
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The reason for this habit is simple - Winston was rescued by Beth Clark, a woman who already had six cats. Surprisingly, the animals quickly found a common language and even became sincerely attached to each other.
At the age of 4 months, the puppy began to behave like a cat. Apparently, he was so accustomed to the company of cats that he could not perceive himself as someone else. Beth, stroking her pet, noticed that he was making a slightly strange sound, which resembled the purring of a cat contented with affection. And it did not at all evoke associations with a dog.
At first the woman was incredibly surprised, but then she realized that Winston was simply copying his “sisters,” in particular their “vocal characteristics.” And this happens because he has no role models from the dog world.
Of course, the “vocal data” of a dog differs from that of a cat: their vocal apparatus has a different structure. But hearing how a puppy tries to purr in imitation of cats is an expensive pleasure for a loving owner!
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Can a cat and a dog be friends?
I can say with confidence that peaceful relationships between animals are indeed possible. Much depends on their temperament and the owner’s ability to teach their pets to behave correctly with each other.
In terms of devotion and level of trust, the cat-dog relationship can become similar to the human concept of friendship. By the way, in dogs, loyalty to the owner and other individuals is much higher, while cats are driven by more selfish motives. One study found that during contact with living beings, dogs release more happy hormones than cats.
I have read articles by animal psychologists who explain that attachment begins with the desire for animals to be nearby and to use the skills of another to their advantage. For example, a cat can throw food off the table for a dog, and the dog will act as a protector on the street. But not all pets are ready for peaceful coexistence.
It is easiest to make friends with puppies and kittens, because they will grow up together, and the owners will have enough time to instill communication skills. The optimal age for kittens is up to 6 months, for puppies – up to 1 year. Interesting statistics: if a dog is adopted as a second pet, its attitude towards the cat becomes friendly in 75% of cases, and the order of adoption has almost no effect on the cat.
Introducing a cat to a puppy is relatively easy, especially if you have a female. Sometimes they mistake puppies for their children and are especially patient with the baby’s games. It is more difficult to introduce adults to already established behavior.
Is it possible to cross a dog and a cat?
Many people are interested in whether it is possible to extinguish a dog’s sexual instincts with the help of a cat and whether the appearance of offspring is possible?
No matter how hard scientists try to create new and unusual species, not a single kitten has yet been born. In principle, this is possible within the framework of genetic engineering, but the resulting hybrid can only be a test sample, since it itself cannot produce offspring. Remember, for example, mules - the fruit of the love of a donkey and a stallion; such natural wonders rarely give birth to cubs.
Therefore, do not try to deceive nature by crossing such different species, try to give them more love and attention so that they can calmly be friends.
How to avoid interspecies conflicts?
If you decide to have such different pets, then you will have to learn to show the same love to both a cuddly puppy and an independent kitten. In fact, our pets are sensitive and vulnerable. If it seems to them that their beloved owner pays more attention to someone, then a real war cannot be avoided. Sometimes before a walk with the dog, the cat howls so sadly, as if you were leaving him for a whole week.
The issue of food can become quite acute . The point is in the habits of dogs and cats - a cat that is full will calmly move away from the bowl, leaving a few pieces for later. The dog happily sweeps away everything from his bowl and, wagging his tail, demands more. If there is a cat’s bowl nearby with food in it, then why shouldn’t she have a snack? Owners have to limit access to other people's food by moving the cat's bowl higher. There should also be a cup of water on a hill. This is the only way to avoid the cat's indignation and the dog's overeating.
Quite often, there is a struggle among animals for dominance in the home. A cat and a dog will fight for a place near the table, your bed and your hands. Try to prevent conflicts gently but persistently, without giving free rein to dog instincts and the cat’s struggle for dominance.