Expert advice for a smooth coexistence between a dog and a cat in your home.
If you already have a dog and you have a cat - or vice versa - it is very natural to worry about their smooth and healthy coexistence. However, it has been proven that dogs and cats can coexist, creating a harmonious relationship. In the event that your dog is aggressive and your cat seems anxious, all you need to do is follow the advice of experts to "reconcile". However, if the relationship remains tense, it is recommended that you contact a behaviorist you trust who will provide you with the help and advice you need.
How your dog will meet your cat for the first time
The first meeting between your dog and cat is crucial for their subsequent relationship, which should develop gradually and in a controlled manner. Here are some clever "tricks" for meeting them. Start by taking advantage of your pets' scents. Use an object from your new pet that carries its scent to familiarize your existing pet with its scent. Place it in the house and observe how your dog or cat reacts to it. You can do the same with your new pet, in the space it is already housed in, until you bring it home.
Now it's your turn to set up your home in such a way that each pet has their own space. This tactic will make your pets feel safe and continue to satisfy their needs undisturbed, without feeling in danger. The feeling of security plays an important role in ensuring that your dog or cat eats their food, drinks their water and sleeps soundly. Before the new pet comes home, it is important that the existing one is familiar with the space you have created for the needs we have already mentioned. In the short term, it may be necessary to separate the spaces of each pet with physical barriers, such as baby gates. In case these two, different spaces do not exist, it is useful for your pets to have an "escape exit" if they feel threatened.
How will you introduce your dog to your cat for the first time? Initially, you should be present at the first meeting to avoid any aggression. Your movements should be gradual and always supervised. Experts advise that during this introduction, you let the cat set its own limits as it is smaller and more vulnerable, resulting in it feeling more in danger. This is why it is essential to have an escape route so that your cat can climb to a certain height to feel protected. Be careful! Do not reward or scold either of your two pets. Any positive or negative attitude you have should concern both of them so that jealousy and competition do not develop between them.
Why doesn't your dog get along with your cat?
Once your dog and cat meet and the meeting is smooth, the goal is to build a healthy relationship between them. Many times, those who have a dog or a cat feel insecure about acquiring another pet that will arrive at home. A dog and a cat may be two different animals, but this does not mean that their coexistence is impossible. In any case, you can ask and find out how the pet you have chosen is doing with the other animals .
Indeed, it is not a myth that dogs and cats do not get along, without meaning that this has no exceptions. Statistically, it seems that just over 5% of homes in Europe have both a dog and a cat, so their coexistence is completely possible. However, the "confrontation" between them has to do with their nature as cats perceive dogs as a threat and dogs see cats as prey. In addition, the competition may have to do with the battle of the two pets for your attention. Another factor is the different behavior of each pet that can be perceived as a threat and cause fear and aggressive behavior.
The Do's and Don'ts of dog and cat coexistence
Do's
- Introduce the new one to your existing pet gradually and in a controlled manner.
- Help your pet socialize and develop contact with other pets to create a good relationship with other companion animals.
- Give your pets the space they need so they can isolate themselves and rest whenever they need it.
- Reward your pets' positive behavior with treats and care.
Don'ts
- Avoid forced contact between animals at first, as this can cause stress and aggression.
- Do not allow one pet to consume the other's food or water, as this can lead to conflicts.
- Do not force contact between your pets.
- Do not neglect the needs and care of any animal so that there is no competition between them.
One reason for your cat to be jealous of your dog is that he can enjoy the nutritious and delicious petchef meals, but the petchef team is also planning to develop recipes for kittens, so be patient! Although your cat might try the dog recipes as a treat, they are not a complete food for their nutritional needs.
All meals are cooked with love and care in our kitchen, which meets all the requirements for cooked food with all the necessary permits. Every day we procure the best fresh raw materials intended for human consumption. We never use preservatives, colorings or ingredients that we would not consume ourselves. All ingredients are cooked at low temperatures using the Sous Vide method (vacuum cooking), so that all the necessary nutrients are preserved and at the same time any bacteria and pathogens are neutralized. They are then quickly cooled at low temperatures according to the HACCP food safety plan, so that the meals remain fresh until the day of delivery.