About the reasons for the enmity
The roots of the eternal enmity between cats and dogs stretch back to those times when there was no talk of their domestication. In those ancient times, wild dogs were pack animals - they hunted together, shared prey, and guarded their lair. It is from that time that the instinct of protecting their territory lives in them - this was an indispensable condition for the survival of their population in the wild.
Cats, on the other hand, initially led a diametrically opposite way of life: being freedom-loving loners, they freely moved around the space around them, fiercely defending the territory that they considered theirs. Thus, the initial cause of conflicts between cats and dogs is the assertion of territorial claims .
After dogs and cats settled in a human home, their living conditions changed radically, but the ancient instincts are alive in them to this day. That is why conflicts between them often arise and it is necessary to know how to make friends between a cat and a dog.
Even in modern apartments, four-legged pets continue to remain territorial animals.
The desire to conquer the most comfortable territory is one of the most common reasons for hostility between pets.
Cats look for cozy and warm places for themselves, allowing them to relax in complete isolation from everyone, dogs strive to take a place closer to the owner. A conflict arises when one of the pets begins to lay claim to a place already chosen by its rival.
One of the main reasons for hostility between cats and dogs is the jealousy they feel towards their owner. Signs of attention shown to one of the pets immediately give rise to resentment or aggression on the part of the animal deprived of affection.
The cause of conflicts and resentment can be different food in bowls . Other people's food, according to animals, is always more attractive and tastier. There are often situations when an older and stronger pet takes food from a weak, foolish one.
Why do cats and dogs fight?
A cat and a dog are predators, which means they are rivals. They tend to compete with each other. In addition, the difficulty is the difference in behavior. Animals use body language when communicating.
The communication of a cat and a dog can be compared to the communication of people in similar, but still different, languages. Pets begin to understand each other over time, but in the beginning they may have problems.
Hunting instinct
Dogs are stronger than cats and therefore pose a threat to them. The cat may get scared and run, thereby provoking the dog to chase it. During the chase, the hunting instinct takes over the dog more and more: it begins to chase rather for fun, and by the end of the chase it may no longer be chasing with such good intentions.
As a result, a dog that was previously friendly may injure the cat. Some dog breeds are more inclined to treat cats as if they were prey (especially hunting dogs). You should never let your dog chase a cat, including during a walk.
Fight for attention
Animals are also prone to jealousy. Lack of attention towards one of the pets will also lead to a negative reaction from the deprived pet. Very often, a new family member is given more attention. This places the newcomer higher than other members of the "pack".
This is how the newcomer becomes an outcast among other pets. Many believe that cats do not need communication as much as dogs. The statement is not true: cats often show less love for a person, but this does not mean that they love him less.
Fight for territory
It is natural for predators to fight for territory because their survival depends on it. Even if they are not harmed by the new tenant in the house, their instincts still remain. Both dogs and cats protect their area. Even in relationships between dogs, accepting a stranger into the pack is always problematic and dangerous.
Cats are loners, so they generally do not accept anyone on their territory. However, at home, where there is always prey, the instincts are still weakened.
How to make friends between a cat and a dog and avoid hostility
The best option to achieve conflict-free coexistence between pets is their young age. If there are no animals in the house yet, but you want to have both a cat and a dog, it is better to take them when they are still small . Having quickly gotten used to each other, the kids will soon begin to play and actively develop. In the future, their relationship, as a rule, develops quite serenely.
If a new animal moves into a house where there is already a pet, you should not immediately bring them together . In the first days, it is better to place the newcomer in a separate room, with short introductory meetings from time to time. To avoid the possibility of injury or attack, it is better to put a muzzle or leash on your dog. Both animals must be calmed and stroked, speaking to them in a calm, approving tone. To exclude manifestations of jealousy on the part of the “old-timer,” more attention should be paid to him.
If both pets prefer to stay at a considerable distance, you should not push them towards each other - after a while, after adapting, they will decide this issue themselves.
You should not be nervous in the presence of animals - sensitively reacting to the state of the owner, they will also begin to show aggression towards each other.
To prevent the possibility of territorial hostility, each pet should be provided with individual resting places and separate bowls for food and water . At first, it is desirable that they be located either in different places or at a considerable distance from each other. The place for the cat's toilet should be secluded, eliminating the possibility of dog visits.
If an active puppy appears in the house where an adult cat lived, the cat’s claws should be trimmed . This measure will avoid injuring a curious baby if the cat suddenly decides to rush at him. At further meetings, if the adult animal behaves calmly, without showing aggression towards the puppy, you should reward it with some favorite treat - the cat must understand that such behavior especially pleases the owner.
Animals that have not had time to get used to each other should not be left together if the owners leave home . It is better to lock them in different rooms, remembering to give the cat access to the litter box.
If a young pet is very annoying to an adult animal, you should distract him by keeping him busy with some kind of game. In the same way, you should prevent an aggressive attack by an adult pet on a baby - you can throw him his favorite toy or give him a treat.
Playing together with pets, especially with a significant difference in age and body weight, must take place under the mandatory supervision of the owner, since a large animal can inadvertently cause harm to the baby.
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.
Common Mistakes
The cause of conflicts between a cat and a dog can be improper nutrition . If you place their bowls side by side in a small kitchen, then either the dog, which quickly finishes its portion, will take food from the cat, or the cat will begin to pull out tidbits from the dog’s bowl. If it is not possible to feed the animals in separate rooms, you can place the cat dishes on the windowsill or on the table.
Some owners, saving money, feed their cats cheaper food intended for dogs. This is strictly forbidden, since pet food manufacturers develop their formulations taking into account the physiological characteristics characteristic of the body of cats and dogs. Being different, they need completely different feeds. Long-term consumption of dog food can cause a number of serious diseases in cats, including the development of blindness due to the lack of taurine in it.
Another common mistake is the lack of delimitation of recreation areas .
Many conflicts between animals could be avoided if the cat had the opportunity to hide in a secluded corner. If your pets are fighting for the right to have a rug or bed, this is a sign that indicates the need to create separate cozy corners.
An attempt to force the pets to get closer by pushing them nose to nose at the first meeting. This is completely unacceptable - such an attempt is fraught not only with serious stress, but also with the possibility of injury for both of them. A kitten running away can be regarded by the dog as potential prey. In this case, he may suffer from the dog's teeth. In turn, defending itself from an attack, the kitten can seriously scratch its offender.
