Dogs and cats in one household? That will never work! This rumor is quite persistent and there are many pet households that prove the opposite. If you can't decide whether you're on "Team Dog" or "Team Cat", then take both. If you already have a dog or a cat living in your household, here are our tips on how to carefully integrate the second pet into your animal patchwork family.
Dog and cat in one household - what to consider
Before a friendship can develop between a dog and a cat, a few things must be considered. This way, any difficulties can be nipped in the bud and the time spent getting to know each other usually goes more quickly and without setbacks. Dogs and cats speak different languages and learning the foreign language takes a little time. Fortunately, the loud snoring of the old dog had a calming effect on our cat, as she understood it as a conciliatory purr. Conversely, the dog could also see the purr as a malicious growl. In this case, the cat's good intentions would have to be positively reinforced by the owner. Wagging the tail could also lead to misunderstandings. In dogs, tail wagging is an expression of happy anticipation, but in cats it is more a sign of a desire for peace and quiet and is a clear sign of discomfort.
The first meeting – don’t panic!
The time has come! Today, your dog and cat will meet for the first time. If you approach the situation calmly and relaxed, your four-legged friends will also feel less stress in the new situation. Loud noises in the background are not conducive to a relaxed first meeting. It is important not to favor one of the animals during the initial contact in order to avoid jealousy. For the first meeting, you should put the dog on a leash or hold it so that it cannot chase the cat. A long walk before you set off will make your dog calmer. It is advisable to feed both animals beforehand so that they are full and relaxed when they meet. Under no circumstances should you introduce your "new" animal to the other in a transport box. Escape options must be kept open. If the animals behave in an exemplary manner, treats are certainly a welcome reward. The first meeting should not be a long session and should end after a few minutes. At the end, praise both animals.
Experiences with the other species determine a good coexistence
Positive experiences with the other animal species are beneficial for a reunion. If one of the animals has had negative experiences with the other species, integration into the household could be more difficult. With pets from the animal shelter, the behavior towards other animals is usually known.
By the way, size differences between dogs and cats are not a criterion for whether the two become a team or not. The breed of dog plays a bigger role.
How to prepare your dog and cat for each other
You can prepare your pet for the new arrival using its sense of smell or hearing before it actually moves in with you. For your dog, you can bring a scent sample of the soon-to-be roommate from the breeder or animal shelter by rubbing the new arrival's fur with a cloth. You can then place this scent mark in the apartment where your four-legged friend will definitely notice the smell. Perhaps you can combine this new smell with giving treats. This way, your pet will associate a positive experience with this new sensory stimulus.
Which came first – cat or dog?
Dogs and cats can get used to each other, even if one pet is new and the other has been part of the family for a long time. How quickly the reunion works often depends on which animal was there first. Since dogs are pack animals, they are usually more open to new "family members" than cats. Domestic cats in particular can initially have problems with having to share their own territory.
The new pet moves in
First, your new pet will move into a separate room. This is because everything is new to the animal. It needs time to settle in and process the new stimuli and the move to a new home. Then the newcomer can explore the rest of the apartment, but without direct contact with the animal roommate. This is important so that both animals can get used to the smell of the other, which is now constantly present.
Bringing together dogs and cats
Now choose a neutral place for the cat and dog to get to know each other. This does not mean the blanket of one of them or the place in front of the litter box. Neither animal should feel pressured in its place of retreat. Create a relaxed atmosphere for both pets:
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Feeding: Feed both pets beforehand so that they are full and happy when they meet.
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Exercise: Play with both animals extensively before first contact. This allows the animals to release any pent-up energy.
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Leash: Keep your dog on a leash to ensure a safe distance between both animals in case one tries to attack the other.
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Escape options: There should be enough opportunities for the cat to hide or find safety in an elevated position.
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Second person: If possible, make sure that a second trusted person is present so that each animal has its own “caregiver”.
Now keep the dog on a leash and let the cat into the room. Both animals should be able to observe each other from a safe distance without one chasing the other. Ideally, the animals will approach curiously. If both animals accept the presence of the other without fleeing, hissing or barking, it is a good sign. Any behavior that is neutral or positive should be rewarded generously - with gentle words of encouragement and also with treats. However, you should give treats to both pets so that no jealousy arises.
The first meeting should last a maximum of ten minutes. This way you don't overwhelm either animal with the situation. A short and positive meeting is better than a long and negative one.
Pairing a dog and a cat is not always easy, but a deep friendship can develop between the two.
How do I know if the dog and cat are compatible?
After a few weeks, you will see whether your dog and cat get along. It doesn't necessarily have to be love between the two, but you will quickly find out whether they respect each other and whether they can live peacefully together.
You can recognize positive behavior between dog and cat when...
- both look at each other peacefully,
- the animals sit or lie down,
- they ignore each other,
- they clean themselves,
- both pass each other or walk away,
- they sniff each other,
- come to the owner.
If both animals show relaxed behavior, then you can leave them alone together. Be sure to test this in short intervals before you leave for work for the day and let the dog and cat out together. If that doesn't work, then you will have to separate them for the time being when you are not at home. With time and patience, you can all grow together into a patchwork family.
