Can Cats And Dogs Live Together As Friends?

Can cats and dogs live together without constantly being at war? It seems that they very often can.

We often hear people claim to be a "cat person" or a "dog person", but browsing through the various pet forums it appears that there are many of us that equally like both cats and dogs.

My son has a beautiful Border Collie who was the only pet of the house until she was five years old. Then three part Burmese kittens were brought into the family. Mollie the Collie and the kittens were introduced to each other slowly, and Mollie was taught that the kittens were not to be harassed. Naturally she was given extra doses of attention and affection, just to show her that the kittens were an addition to the family, and not a replacement for her.

As the kittens grew they soon learned to dominate the dog, after all they are felines and a canine must know its place, besides there are three of them. Often when Mollie is snoozing, or just reclining chilling out, one of the cats will just walk right over her, forgoing the niceties of walking around the dog. Mollie gives the impression that this behavior does not bother her, but sometimes a little sigh of exasperation is heard. Rarely do the cats take any interest in what is in the dog bowl, Mollie on the other hand, will quite often take a sniff of the cats lunch, and if one of the cats is close by it will give a warning hiss.

I don't think that it can be said that the cats and Mollie are great friends, they never appear to play together. They live together in a state of tolerance, rather than friendship, but the relationship works OK, my son's house is free of cat and dog fights.

But from reading the posts on the pet forums, many people report that their cat and dog are the best of buddies.

A lady writes that her Boxer and tabby curl up together on the sofa. Another post from an elderly gentleman reports that his Persian often hitches a ride on the back of his Labrador cross. There are many posts about cats and dogs being taken for walks together, stories of felines and canines being absolutely inseparable, even accounts of dogs pining for cats that have passed away.

All this does not imply that any old cat and dog can be thrown together and get on like a house on fire. Some dog breeds are unlikely to put up with sharing their home with a cat. Hounds and hunting dogs, for example may not be a wise choice. Also not all breeds of cat are sociable enough to live with another species of animal.

When introducing cats and dogs to each other do it slowly and make sure that you are in control. Never leave your pets without supervision while they are learning to get along with each other. Feeding your cat and dog in separate places, and at separate times is probably best until they are used to one another.

Remember that two or more dogs are likely to have a pack instinct, and could see a new kitten as prey. If yours is a multi-dog household and you are adding a cat to your pet family, make the introduction one dog at a time. Remember also that it is not only dogs that can hurt cats, frightened cats can inflict nasty scratches to inquisitive puppies and dogs, and a scratch on the puppy's eyes could be serious.

So can cats and dogs live together as friends? Yes, they can, it may take patience and perseverance on your part, but the result will be worth it

About The Author

Larry Chamberlain is the webmaster of www.best-cat-art.com and a lifelong cat lover. He lives in London England. Want to find that perfectCat Lover Gift?

www.best-cat-art.com

Rolling Meadows Cadillac Escalade rental .. Lockport Chicago limo O’Hare
In The News:

These 35 Chrome extensions have privacy and security concerns. Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson says to delete them now.
Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson says 329,000 mph fusion rocket promises to be fast, disruptive and enable deep-space missions.
Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.
Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson says a new autonomous AI is a game changer that also raises privacy risks. Is your data safe?
Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson says robots and drones are revolutionizing fruit farming with faster picking and smarter handling.
Landmark Admin revises May 2024 cyberattack scope to show twice as many people were affected. Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson gives tips to help stay safe from an insurance data breach.
Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson talks about how Yamaha’s hydrogen outboard motor could revolutionize boating with zero emissions.
Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson reveals how to memorialize or remove a deceased loved one’s Facebook account and protect their digital legacy from misuse or scams.
Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson says an Apple Watch saved psychiatrist Amanda Faulkner by detecting deadly leukemia early.
Scammers and fraudsters are increasingly targeting the most vulnerable, especially nursing homes and the personal data of their residents. Kurt the CyberGuy has safety tips.
Infected USB flash drives can spread malware among multiple organizations in ways that can easily bypass traditional security systems.
With a fully automated warehouse system and AI-powered robots, Ocado's Hive picks, packs and delivers grocery store orders in just a few minutes.
Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.
Recycling robots are using artificial intelligence to learn how to sort recyclables by recognizing patterns in colors, textures, shapes and logos.
The Reachy 2 robot is designed to be friendly and approachable, inviting natural interaction and is perfect for research, education and experimenting with embodied AI.
Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson shares several easy ways to keep your credit cards safe from digital thieves while you're traveling this summer.
Arcturus sets up cameras around the edges of baseball stadiums to capture real-time action and generate a 3D digital clone of the game.
Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.
The CyberGuy explains why healthcare organizations are vulnerable to hackers after there have been a half dozen data breaches this year.
Developed at two California universities, the innovative technology combines brain-computer interfaces with advanced AI to decode neural activity into audible speech.
Microsoft patches 12 critical flaws, but six have already been exploited by criminals. Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson says updating your system is only a short-term fix.
Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson discusses how robots can milk, feed and clean cows on dairy farms, boosting efficiency and comfort.
Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson says quantum internet ensures unhackable security and redefines online privacy and speed.
Kawasaki's CORLEO is a hydrogen-powered, AI-driven rideable robot. Tech expert Kurt “CyberGuy" Knutsson reports on this new way of thinking about off-road transportation.
The CyberGuy breaks down five mobile privacy terms that could make a difference when it comes to keeping your personal information safe.

Six Dog Training Tips to Modify Negative Behavior

Almost every dog owner will have to use some sort... Read More

Teach a Dog To Swim

You want your dog to swim?We're going to try to... Read More

Choosing Dog Tags for Your Canine

Remember when you first met your dog? He was fresh... Read More

Treat Fleas Naturally and Avoid Vaccinations, for a Truly Healthy Dog

An essential to your dog's health is his/her regular annual... Read More

Quickstart Guide to Making Your Own Pet Food at Home

As a pet owner, no doubt you want to give... Read More

How To Keep Your Cat Healthy - Cat Feeding Explained

Cats have a reputation for being finicky eaters, but that... Read More

Dog Breeds for Allergy Sufferers

Allergies to dogs can strike anyone at any age, yet... Read More

Tired of Vet Bills?

Do you make a lot of trips to the vet's... Read More

Housetraining Tips for Your Dog or Puppy

Puppies need to go to the bathroom after they play,... Read More

Shock Collars: Teaching Your Dog Basic Obedience and Breaking Bad Habits

Shock CollarsAre you at a loss as to whether or... Read More

Games You Can Play With Your Dog

Dogs need mental and physical stimulation. They're also very inquisitive... Read More

Why Crate Train My Dog?

A few years ago, before I decided to stay home... Read More

Understanding Psychology Of Dog Training: Pack Behavior & Establishing Control

Dogs are descendent of wolves. To study the psychology of... Read More

Adopt A Pet

In order to add love and affection to their lives,... Read More

How To Use Leading Your Horse To Get Control And Response

I've been around many people who try to lead a... Read More

Down On The Farm

As I listen on my long drive to my grandpa's... Read More

Larger Dog Food Isles

Grocery Stores could use some larger Dog Food Isles. Not... Read More

Talk to the Animals? Yes! And Whats More, They Talk to Us!

Talk to the animals?Yes.And what's more, they talk to us!If... Read More

Is Pet Insurance Worth It?

Many pet owners often wonder if it's worth it to... Read More

The Geriatric (Older) Dog

Dogs mature and age at much different rates, usually according... Read More

Proper Diet For the Discus Fish

The Discus fish has its habitat in the South American... Read More

Give a Homeless Cat or Dog a Gift of Good Cheer

The holidays are a wonderful time of year, full of... Read More

Scottie & Westie - This Mistake is Perfectly Understandable

Show an uninformed dog lover a photo of a Westie,... Read More

Dog Potty Training: Can I Get My Dog to Stop Eating It?

Okay, so it's not the cleanest or most appealing of... Read More

Dog Jewelry: A Celebration of Mans Best Friend

"Dogs are our link to paradise. They don't know evil... Read More

Des Moines rental limo ..