Cats and Dogs Living Together

Posted by Jeanne on February 27, 2009

Despite their reputation for unfriendliness, cats can and often do become friendly with other animals. Cats who through some mischance have lost their kittens are especially prone, perhaps through a hormonal impulse, to adopt and mother the most unlikely small fry. Little chicks, ducklings, rats, mice, squirrels, rabbits, puppies — the list may well be endless — have all at one time or another lived in harmony with cats.

Somewhat more difficult, because it has not been arranged by the cat, is keeping alien pets together under the same roof. Usually this involves dog and cat, and the results are unpredictable, though successful often enough to be worth trying.

It’s easiest, of course, to raise puppies and kittens together, as they have been on countless farms. Puppies, whatever problems they may have, are the soul of good fellowship, open, trusting, everybody’s friend — which means that half the battle is won. Kittens, if not mauled or frightened out of their wits, will spit their protests for a few days and then learn to live and let live.

The same pattern generally is followed when a kitten is introduced to a family’s adult dog, although care must be taken that the canine, in a transport of joy, does not break his little playfellow’s neck.

A much rougher situation arises when a defenseless puppy joins a household in which an adult cat is well entrenched and reigns supreme. It can be worked out, but you have to want a dog an awful lot. In this case, or in the even more hopeless one of adult dog and adult cat, start by having your vet trim the cat’s claws. This is trickier than it seems and should be professionally done.

Don’t confront the pets with each other immediately. Keep them in the house but separated — if possible — for several days. This will inform each that there’s a stranger in the house but that, since the new smell lingers, he, she or it must belong. Familiarity, normality and habit all serve to break down the basic and traditional fears, hostilities and insecurities felt between species.

Let the first meeting be casual and brief. Stick around to see that a fight doesn’t develop, but don’t interfere any more than you have to. It figures that any show of favoritism will be deeply resented by the one left out, especially the cat. And a scolding of one in front of the other will be most mortifying, especially for the cat.

If all goes well, cat and dog will begin eventually to exchange a friendly lick. When they nestle together for a snooze, play together and eat together (from separate dishes), love has triumphed.

Be prepared to be a good loser, though, if your pets just don’t take a shine to each other. It will be a fairly miserable existence for the smaller, the weaker, the more fearful one, whichever it is.