Most of us have emotional attachment to our cats and dogs and we love to see them live together. These pets make us happy and relieve stress so keeping them happy is our major priority. Cats and dogs are not enemies as they can learn to coexist peacefully under one roof. It is sometimes difficult to raise both of them together but following the below instructions, you can raise them peacefully together.
Keeping Food Dishes and Toys Separate
Meal and play time is a time every cat and dog looks up to. If not well managed or planned this can be disastrous. Try and keep feeding dishes in different parts of the house. Keep the feeding dish of a cat in a high spot to avoid fighting. A cat will always want to eat some dog food which makes a fight inevitable. Make sure you keep their toys separate to promote peaceful companionship.
Exercising
Most pet owners do not exercise their pets fully. It is wise to exercise your dog regularly to release the excess energy so that the dog does not use it on your cat. If you plan on walking your dog, increase the speed once or twice during the walk as well as increasing the distance you cover. If you do not have the time to exercise with your dog, it would be wise to consider hiring a dog trainer or walker.
Cats Territory
To promote peaceful coexistence, allow the cat to mark its territory before introducing it to your dog. A cat needs a protected space where it can freely exercise its climbing skills since it is a natural climber. Make sure that this area is off limits to the dog. Buy tall cat trees and install boxes or shelves which give a cat the privilege to observe the dogs’ behaviours from a distance.
Learn Their Personalities
It is important to learn and understand your pets’ personalities. If you plan on adopting a pet make sure you get all the relevant information regarding their lifestyle. In some instances, an older dog would mind sharing space with a kitten. If it is hard to raise them together, think of a long-term plan of separating them.
It is unquestionable that these pets can make our lives happy and worth living. However, their life together is encompassed with pro and cons in a family home. Here are some of the pro and cons to consider.
Pros
- They help promote mental health.
- You can be sure of your increased personal safety.
- They keep you and your family occupied and entertained during play time
- You learn to be patient especially those who own young untrained pets.
Cons
- These pets are a huge responsibility and need attention.
- They need regular maintenance for instance cats need declawing and some dogs need regular bathing to avoid odours.
- Just like humans, these animals need a happy and comfortable life which is an added cost.
- It is difficult to travel together with these pets because they get anxious when in a new environment.
- Whether it is a cat or a dog, you can be assured that there will be poop which definitely has to be cleaned up.
Experts who study animal behaviours believe that it is okay to have both pets if only you can manage them and give them a life that they deserve. If you feel you can take care of these pets together you should have a backup plan for when things may get out of control.
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