I'm a sucker for anything with fur - so having dogs OR cats isn't a consideration. Why have one when I can have both? The easiest way to have good pet relations is to raise those pets together. That isn't always possible if you are one who adopts pets who have been abandoned or mistreated as I often do.
Over the years, I've never brought a dog into my home that could not accept the presence of cats. At times it's been necessary to oversee the introduction for a few weeks but in time the animals set the boundaries themselves. Your felines may be comfortable with the canine living in your home - but don't be surprised at a different reaction when a new canine moves in.
The key to successfully introducing a new addition into a multiple pet household is patience. I have one cat adopted as an adult who simply has little tolerance for other animals. For weeks there was much hissing, growling and spitting but eventually my dogs simply began ignoring Cilla. She is now accepted as the aloof princess she has chosen to be.
Cats seem to choose the dogs they like. They seem to form friendships or to dislike another animal for no reason I can see. People do that, too, don't they? You can't force alliances between your pets but you can facilitate them. When bringing a new cat or dog into your home, it's crucial to provide that animal with a "safe" place where he can hide. If the new family member is small (kitten or puppy) protect the animal from your other pets. Even a cat-loving dog can harm or kill a kitten in rough play. Friendly puppies may receive a warning bite or scratch that can become infected.
Keep interactions with a newly introduced furry family member safe by limiting contact to times you are present and separate the new pet when you are absent. Time will solve most pet interaction problems. Cats and dogs will form friendships with each other or will define the personal space they require. Most accomplish this in 2-3 weeks; with older animals it may take a bit longer.
http://My-Dogs-Rule.com is for dog lovers and http://Our-Cats-Rule.com for cat fanciers. If you like anything with fur and like a variety of pets in your home, learn to understand the traits and instincts of your pets and your responsibilities as their owner
Related posts:
There are no comments yet...Kick things off by filling out the form below.