Edited by Michal, Lindsey, Maluniu, Teresa and 35 others
Have a cat and a dog, but the two just won't stop fighting? Try these simple steps!
1Go slow. Animals need time to get to know each other. They are much more likely to fight or be unhappy if you try to force them together suddenly.Ad
2Praise your dog for friendly behavior around your cat. If you have a dog that barks whenever the cat comes in, make it so that when the cat comes in it's enjoyable. Say, "Oh, look, Puppy, Kitty's here! Yay!" and sound very happy and give the dog a small training treat. Your dog will soon learn to associate pleasant feelings with the cat.
3Provide your cat a place where she/he can get out of reach of your dog. Cats will generally attack a dog only when backed into a corner with no way to avoid the dog.
4Hold your cat in your arms until she/he is calm and relaxed. Then ask a family member or friend to slowly bring your dog into the room. Gradually bring the dog closer in small steps, waiting for your cat and dog to both settle down as each step of the way before getting closer.
5Rub a towel on your dog and put the towel under your cat's bowl so that your cat will get used to the dogs smell and will accept it.
- Try not to play favourites. Sometimes these fights are triggered by jealousy. If the dog notices that the cat is getting more attention, it'll respond negatively.
- Don't leave your pets unadvised..... They may get injured.
- Don't take things too fast!
- Don't spray your cat if it's being mean. The cat will only get even angrier.
- It is helpful to introduce the animals to each other when they are younger.
- Until your pets are relatively well socialized together, don't leave them home alone together. You don't want to risk one or the other being hurt when you're not home. It's easy and much safer just to close your cat or dog into a room by itself while you're gone.
Recent edits by: Daniel Bauwens, terrall, Autumn_the_worrier
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