How to make friends between a dog and a cat: 8 steps to a peaceful life

Causes of enmity between dogs and cats

train a dog and a cat to live in an apartment or house
Dogs and cats are representatives of different families of the same order. Animals have specific behavioral characteristics and almost opposite types of temperament.

According to research, cats are not afraid of dogs. Aggression and attempts to avoid contact are effective ways to stop unwanted attention.

Cats have an independent character and love privacy. They value personal space and do not tolerate encroachments. Dogs, on the other hand, are considered social animals that seek company. Because of this, conflicts often break out between dogs and cats.

Cats and dogs also interpret body language differently:

The cat regards light pushes of the skull and intense sniffing as an attempt to invade personal space. Such behavior causes aggression in the animal and a desire to grab the dog’s face.
A dog's tail wagging means joy from an upcoming walk, meeting the owner, or seeing a toy. In this way, a cat expresses the highest degree of irritation and demonstrates its readiness to attack. Before a fight, the animal vigorously wags its tail and lashes its sides.
Tight ears and a low head are interpreted by cats as a readiness to attack. In dogs, a similar pose means an admission of guilt. The dog understands that he deserves punishment and tries to appease the owner, demonstrating submission in advance.
Cats purr to express the highest degree of satisfaction. The quiet, guttural growl of a dog means its readiness to attack and defend itself.

The dog unconsciously creates an intimidating impression on the cat. Frightened, she begins to run, awakening the hunting instincts in the dog.

How to calm a cat's aggression?

The hardest part is the “snack”. Exactly! Cat aggression is much more difficult to defeat! The dog instinctively serves, obeys, and is tormented by its conscience when its owner is upset. A cat has no such moral burdens. Even a kitten that has recently moved into the house can prove to be a cruel “dictator”.

There is only one way out - patience and affection, cats are not forced, they are negotiated with. Take the animal in your arms more often, sitting in a chair and stroking the cat, call the dog with a gesture and lay it at your feet, the pets should understand that your attention and territory will be enough for both. There is only one trick on your side - the cat feels more confident when it is higher than its opponent. Equip the animal with holes on window sills and furniture; being at the “top of the world”, the pet will ignore the dog.

Is it possible to make pets friends?

A kitten and a dog are friends for life
If after the first acquaintance of the animals the situation is not left to chance, then it is quite possible to accustom a dog to a cat. Correct behavior of the owner and taking into account the characteristics of the pets will help establish friendly relations.

How quickly animals become friends depends not only on the owner, but also on the age at which the pets were taken into the family and began to be taught to peaceful coexistence.

From acquaintance to friendship

Where to begin:

The first stage is addiction. Animals should not meet for some time. While in the apartment at the same time, they should be in different rooms to get used to the smell of their new neighbor. At the same time, the dog must be pushed in the right direction. For example, give him a treat if he doesn’t rush after a passing cat during a walk.
The second stage is direct acquaintance. You need to bring them into a large room and be with them all the time. If you know in advance that the dog is very active and emotional, you will have to take care in advance to subdue your emotions. The cat may be scared of this.

You should not push animals towards each other, as this can frighten them. Everything should be as natural as possible.

Owner's help

When the pets are a little accustomed to each other, it is necessary to come up with common things for them to do. How to make friends between a cat and a dog:

Shared feeding. Initially, the bowls should be as far apart as possible. But over time it is necessary to bring them closer until they are close.
Walks. For an indoor cat, they will be tense at first. Here the dog acts as a protector, and the cat is a new partner for an interesting pastime.
Playing games together will also promote friendship. But if one of the pets bites the other, the game must be stopped. You cannot raise your voice or scold the culprit, this will further strengthen the enmity. It’s enough to separate them and say “you can’t.”

Adult cat and small puppy

It's worth keeping a dog for 2-3 months. At first, they should not be nearby for a long time: the puppy may be frightened by an adult growling animal.
A big cat may well “adopt” a puppy, they often do this. If you do everything correctly and don’t scare off your pets, everything will go smoothly. Understanding and even love will arise between animals.

The only thing that can go wrong is that the cat starts a war for its place. For a dog, the person, the owner, is important. For a cat, this is his territory. Animals must understand that they have different goals .

Adult dog and kitten

They need to be watched carefully. Everything will work out calmly if the dog treats cats normally. Before meeting the dog, walk and feed it to rule out possible causes of concern. After introduction, the animals are taken to different rooms so that they get used to new smells separately from each other.

Adult animals

Making friends with adult pets is not easy. The first acquaintance should be under strict control. It is advisable to place the cat in a carrier or muzzle the dog. After this they must sniff each other.

It will take a lot of time to get used to.

The cat must have its own inviolable place in the apartment in order to feel safe. The first time animals are seen, they should be seen under the supervision of the owner. The best remedy is walking together. It will be easier for them to bond outside the home.

How to make friends with kids: kitten and puppy

The ideal option is when both pets were taken into the house as babies at the same time. Animals, only separated from their mother, will begin to look for understanding and support in each other. Due to their age, puppies and kittens cannot sleep alone and begin to instinctively cuddle each other in their sleep. Together they adapt faster and easier to their new home.

Also, a puppy and a kitten will be brought together by joint pranks and games. The kids will explore the world around them together, which will help them make friends.

Even if at the first meeting the puppy and kitten show dissatisfaction with the presence of their neighbor, it will disappear after a few hours. After sniffing, the kids will quickly get used to it and make friends.

Important! Left alone, the kitten and puppy can get carried away with games and mischief. Therefore, children cannot be left to their own devices for a long time.

Owner's attention

A cat and a puppy are different: while the former seem completely independent, the latter tend to attract attention to themselves or even demand it from their owners.

Remember, no matter how independent your cat may seem, she still needs attention. She may not show it, but sometimes cats' "resentment" manifests itself through small annoyances like a stained carpet or torn curtains.

Of course, the puppy requires a lot of attention, and because of its restlessness, it receives it in full. But don't forget about your cat: during this period, be more affectionate with her than usual, pamper her with treats that she loves, and take time to play with her. Then you will not spoil the already established relationship with your pet and will help her reconcile with another family member.

How to make friends between an adult dog and a kitten, 8 rules for a peaceful neighborhood

Adult dogs are often friendly towards kittens. But increased attention can frighten the baby.

To ensure that the introduction of pets goes smoothly and without damage to the kitten’s psyche, it is advisable to pay attention to the following points:

Exchange of smells. Before the kitten arrives, it is recommended to give the dog something that smells like the baby, so that his appearance is not regarded as a threat. At first, it is better to isolate pets in separate rooms, organizing daily meetings for them. This makes it easier for animals to become accustomed to each other’s smell and make friends.
Adding cat scent. If the dog is aggressive or older, a few weeks before the expected arrival of the kitten, it is recommended to use special pheromones that emit a cat scent. This way the dog will stop stressing and will accept his new neighbor more loyally.
Separate feeding. Dogs are jealous of their own food and in order not to heat up the situation, it is advisable to separate the eating area. Subsequently, the old-timer is recommended to give food first.
A safe place for a cat. It is advisable for each pet to have its own corner. It is recommended to place the kitten's place higher so that the dog cannot reach it. If the owner does not take care of this issue, the animals will deal with the rest areas on their own, which will lead to a deterioration in relations. Prepare “safe places” where your cat can run and hide from your dog when he feels threatened .
Obedience training. Your dog needs to be taught that chasing cats is not acceptable behavior. Teach your dog basic commands such as sit, stay and down. Then it will be easier for you to reconcile the cat and dog.
Interaction control. You should only allow interactions under your supervision, especially in the first few weeks after your cat and dog have just met.
Desensitization. The goal of desensitization is to reduce your dog's reaction to your cat through constant exposure. Separate them temporarily with a fence so they can see each other and sniff, but try to distract the dog's attention with toys and food so that the dog is not fixated on the cat. Over time, the dog will lose interest in cats.
You can't scold a dog too much. The fact is that the dog may understand that he is being scolded because of his relationship with the cat and will pursue the cat even more. Try to encourage a positive attitude between them.

Desensitization of dogs and cats
You cannot scold or punish a dog for aggression. It is enough to strictly explain to the animal that it is not good to offend the baby. An adult dog usually does not want to harm the baby, but it is better not to take risks. The owner must equally distribute attention between the animals and organize a joint game.

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.

How to make friends between an adult cat and a puppy

Adult cats often perceive puppies aggressively. To protect the new resident from the sharp claws of the old-timer, the animals are initially isolated in different rooms.

Then the cat will not scratch the curious, playful puppy, who will probably become excessively active.

It is recommended that animals have separate places for feeding and sleeping. The cat will quickly get bored with the puppy’s pestering and will want to retire. Therefore, the owner must regulate the time the pets communicate and limit it.

If personal boundaries are violated, the cat will hiss for a long time at the new neighbor. If the puppy does not climb into her bowls, bed and tray, she will quickly get used to his presence.

If your dog constantly growls at your cat

Rule out illness in your dog. Perhaps irritation is a sign of malaise.
Doesn't this happen in the same places? If so, analyze whether there is competition for vital resources, or whether there are overlaps in the habitats of the dog and cat. For example, if they run to meet you and get in each other's way, this can become a source of discontent. In this case, it is worth providing the cat with the opportunity to move around the second tier in places of conflict.
Observe the dog and try to remove the cat before it begins to growl (at the first minimal sign of dissatisfaction).
Praise your dog when he reacts calmly to the cat.

How to make friends with adult animals

How to make friends between an adult dog and a cat
Accustoming adult animals to live together is very difficult, but quite possible. At first, the dog will begin to perceive the cat as an object for play or hunting.

Therefore, it will take a long time to separate the animals. If it is not possible to place your pets in separate rooms, it is recommended to buy an indoor aviary.

When first meeting the dog, it is advisable to keep the dog on a leash and muzzle. The animals will probably limit themselves to visual contact and refuse to sniff. You should not let the dog get close to the cat, otherwise the cat will decide that it is being attacked and will begin to defend itself.

It is recommended to organize further communication between pets at a distance to avoid a possible fight. If conflict between animals cannot be avoided, it is advisable to tie the dog and force it to sit on command. It is recommended to calm an angry cat with a voice and gentle stroking. Such actions will help relieve tension and resolve conflict.

To accustom a dog to a cat, it is recommended to reward any manifestation of goodwill with a treat. But you can feed animals in one place only after good neighborly relations have been established between them. Competition for food can cause serious conflict.

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.

What not to do

Inexperienced owners, trying to accustom a dog to a cat, make serious mistakes.

To quickly make friends with your pets, you should not make the following mistakes:

It is prohibited to put pressure on animals , forcing them to communicate.
You cannot give one animal more attention than the other. Some owners deliberately single out their pet. Others unknowingly neglect one pet. As a result, the animal feels like an outcast and begins to be jealous, provoking conflicts.
In the event of a quarrel, it is prohibited to punish the initiator of the fight. At the initial stage of accustoming a dog to a cat, conflicts will inevitably break out between animals. The owner must notice the emerging quarrel in time and extinguish it. In a cat, swearing causes a desire to take revenge; in a dog, a long-term fear arises.
It is prohibited to have animals in cramped living conditions. Each pet should have its own resting place and enough space to move around.
It is prohibited to leave animals alone. Attacks of aggression often come out of nowhere and calm can quickly escalate into a fight. Animal behavior is unpredictable and the owner must control the pets.

Dogs are more active and sociable. To prevent them from pestering their furry neighbor, they should not be limited in walks and active games.

We recommend reading:

We teach the dog to stop picking up everything on the street
Training or education of dogs

Additional sources of information:

Tips on how to make a cat and dog become friends

Common Mistakes

It is easier to properly organize communication between pets from the very beginning than to later try to reconcile them after a conflict. To do this, it is important to familiarize yourself with the most common mistakes when introducing a dog and a cat:

You cannot put pressure on animals or force them to communicate.
No one should feel left out – both cats and dogs should be given equal attention.
In case of conflict, you should not scold the culprit or use physical force against him. In dogs, punishment causes long-term fear, and cats begin to mischief and take revenge.
It is not recommended to have pets in cramped living conditions. Animals should have a private rest area and enough space to move freely.
Since dogs need companionship more than cats and are more active, you should regularly walk them and play outside. This way they will not bother their neighbor, demanding attention.

Cats and dogs can be friends, but only if they demarcate the territory for feeding and have a personal space where they retreat, having exhausted the limit of sociability. It should be remembered that it is not always possible to establish friendship between a cat and a dog, even taking into account all the characteristics of these species. In this case, you cannot put pressure on animals and try to make them “friends” by force. The best thing to do if coexistence is strained is to try to bring their relationship to a neutral level. Peace is achieved through moderate isolation of pets from each other. Over time, they will stop openly fighting, having gotten used to their mutual presence.

The perfect friend for your pet

Everyone knows the saying “Live like a cat and a dog.” To prevent this from becoming an everyday reality for you, think about whether you should even get a dog with a cat (or a cat with a dog) and, if so, what kind of pet. Ideally, you need to take into account the individual characteristics and characters of both animals. In particular, pay attention to the following aspects:

Have you noticed that your dog growls at cats or barks uncontrollably at them? Or does he chase them, show aggression, corner them, grab them - in other words, behave rudely, regardless of whether they are street cats or your friends' pet? In this case, it is better to abandon the idea of making friends with a dog and a cat altogether. The rule also works in the opposite direction - if a cat hisses, attacks, or, conversely, runs away or hides at the sight of a dog, then most likely he will not be happy about living with her.

If you still want to take a risk and get a second pet under such initial conditions, proceed with extreme caution and caution. In your situation, it may be better to adopt a cat that has lived with dogs before.

Does your dog like to chase moving objects? Then you should not take an energetic cat who loves to run and jump on others. A cat that is too timid and runs away at the sight of any danger will not suit you either. In both cases, the dog will forever chase him around the house. The optimal choice would be a calm and balanced animal that will not run around either for the sake of play or out of fear.

If the dog likes rough play , it is better not to have a kitten or an older cat, as it can injure them. The best choice would be an adult cat that can fend for itself. The ideal pair is a frisky, playful cat and an equally playful dog (but one that plays carefully).
If your first pet is elderly and calm , then the same animal will be best for him. Do not take someone who will irritate, frighten or otherwise disturb your pet.

If you have a dog and are planning to adopt a cat, it is better to teach it to ignore cats in advance during walks.

Passing exams

Managed city dog (UGS): what is included, rules

04.05.2019

Why are animals not friends?

Before we strive to make friends with pets, we must recognize that not everything depends on the owner, and some animals will not live in peace and tranquility, no matter how much we want it.

Let's be honest: not all cats are sociable and react calmly to strangers and other pets. If a stranger appears in the house, the cat hides or defends itself.

Some dogs are poorly socialized and unfamiliar with cats. They may meet cats on the street while walking and try to play with them, but such a reaction is unlikely to meet with the approval of the pet.

Cats that grew up alone and are used to being dominant in the home may attack a small puppy.

Be prepared for this scenario and take care that the dog and cat are not harmed during communication.

How to choose the right breed

If you want to add a new member to your family, it is useful to learn more about the characteristics of purebred animals and their ability to get along with other individuals.

Dogs of hunting breeds do not favor small animals and often show aggression towards cats. Fox Terrier, Beagle, Russian Hound, Jack Russell Terrier love to hunt “game”. It is best to take them as puppies and raise them in the presence of an adult cat.

A British cat can be absolutely indifferent to a new resident, but sometimes behaves aggressively if the boundaries of its territory are violated. Be prepared for the fact that Persians, despite seeming calm, can scratch a dog’s delicate nose with their claws.

When choosing an animal from a breeder, ask about the pet’s character and how well it gets along with other animals. Usually breeders are attached to their babies and care about their safety, so they won’t cheat.

Outbred animals, especially those taken from the street, are calmer in relation to other individuals, but the acquaintance and life of animals together will improve more quickly if the owners take care of this, rather than leaving everything to chance.

Fight for food

Even if the bowls of each of the pets are always full and there is enough food, the process of eating will most often be accompanied by new conflicts and rivalries. The root of the problem lies in the instinct of self-preservation inherent in both animals.

Competition for food increases even more if food bowls are close to each other and if feeding occurs at the same time.