There’s a reason why the age-old phrase “fight like cats and dogs” is such a well-established and popular turn of phrase. After all, cats and dogs have been culturally immortalised on screen as sworn enemies – from Garfield and Odie, to the movie Cats & Dogs and The Secret Life of Pets.
So what are the historical causes for this? In evolutionary terms, dogs are descendants of wolves, who would travel and hunt in packs, whereas cats were creatures of solitude. This is where the competition comes in, as both carnivores would fight for food. However, the historical roots don’t mean that cats and dogs can’t live under the same roof!
As the most popular pets in the UK, and with over 1.9 million UK households’ home to both a cat and a dog, it’s important that our pets can share a friendship and live together in peace. They just sometimes need a little assistance from us.
5 ways to help your cat and dog live in harmony
Create a safe space for your cat –
As territorial creatures, cats like their own personal space. If you also have a dog under the same roof, make sure your cat has a safe space away from your dog. Look to place your cats favourite bedding or toys in the area to become their dig-free sanctuary, where they can escape to at any time of the day.
Use commands to control chasing –
Dogs tend to get over excited and this can lead to them chasing your cats – something which stems from their evolutionary instinctive behaviour. However, this kind of attention might not be received particularly well from a cat trying to causally mind their own business.
The good news though, is that you can look to limit this through training. Taking time to teach your dog commands such as ‘sit’, ‘stay’ and ‘down’ will lead to more control – meaning you can assist in diffusing any hairy situations at home between the two.
Find common ground and schedule meeting times –
It can take longer than you think for your cat to get along with your dog, so be patient in the process. A good way to begin building the relationship is to plan meetings between your pets to be together under supervision – and with a lead on hand. This way, you can keep an eye on them, and they will both feel the security of your presence.
Something which cats and dogs both have in common is their mutual love of food, so start their meetings at mealtimes. Look to introduce a baby gate or a barrier between them as they eat though, as this will help to avoid conflict – yet they will still be able to smell one another close by. This way, they will begin associating food (something they love) with the smell of each other. Although, make sure their mutual meal together is on a common ground.
Utilise the power of scent –
The power of smell can be used as a way to help cats and dogs not only recognise each other – but get used to one another – allow them to smell each other’s belongings. For example, take their bedding and switch it round, so that they indulge their curiosity and familiarise themselves with their house-mates scent.
Let them play –
Once the boundaries have been set, look to relax the control a little and allow them to try their hand at playing together, as it can help to create and cement a bond. This is because playing is an important way for pets to show alliances.
This has to be done under careful supervision though, so you can make sure it’s all clean fun, and be aware that both animals must be willing to take part in playing together.