http://www.care2.com/greenliving/cats-and-dogs-togetherness-tips.html
Cats and Dogs: Togetherness Tips
By Kristin Bjornsen, Natural Solutions magazine
My cat and dog fight like, well, like cats and dogs. In one corner of the ring is Spike, an 8-year-old, black, long-haired catzilla, weighing in at more than 16 pounds. Sure, a few of those pounds come from too much snacking and catnapping. But he’s also just big-boned–really! He has paws like kitty-asaurus.
In the other corner (cowering) is Clyde, a 90-pound, 3-year-old Plott Hound wuss. He is ruled by his nose, which often leads him into the vicinity of the cat food. And so the trouble begins. First, we hear a growl, low as faraway thunder, vibrate through the house. That erupts into a frenzy of hissing, screeching, and RWARRs, and soon after, Clyde is seen fleeing, tail between his legs, to the safety of his crate, baying mournfully the whole way. It’s pathetic really. He’s the laughingstock of the neighborhood dog park.
Both Clyde and Spike are pound pets, and they’ve only been living together for about a year. And while I’ve had a few roommates of my own I’ve wanted to growl and claw at myself, I feel like Clyde and Spike should be friends. Growing up, I had three dogs and three cats. And they got along famously. One dog would curl up asleep on the couch and a cat would lie curled asleep on top him–yes, on top of him.
This proves to me that amicable inter-special relationships are possible. But how? Is there anything I can do to establish such a furry friendship between Spike and Clyde? I spoke to my veterinarian, Cristina Gutierrez, at the Humane Society of Boulder Valley, and she gave me these tips:
• Start them when they’re young. “Kittens and puppies can grow to become best friends much more easily than pets already set in their ways,” says Gutierrez. With older pets, as in my case, introduce them to each other slowly. For the first month or two, keep the dog in one half of the house and the cat in the other (by using a safety gate, for example), so they get used to having this other, somewhat-alarming critter around. The dog learns the cat isn’t food, and the cat learns the dog won’t eat him. Slowly, under supervision, start bringing them into the same room together.
• Keep the cat’s food and water in a place the dog can’t get to. This will minimize territory conflicts and the cat’s need to defend his food.
• Have safe areas to which the cat can retreat (for instance, a pillow atop a bookshelf). This will help the cat feel secure and ease any anxiety. Let the dog learn “the law of the claw,” Gutierrez says. One or two swipes from the cat will teach the dog a healthy respect for the cat–and that he needs to keep his distance a bit.
If these tactics fail, don’t fret too much, and practice acceptance. “Nothing in nature says dogs and cats have to be friends,” she says. You do need to make sure the dog doesn’t injure the cat, however, so if the aggression escalates, you may want to keep them permanently separated, she says. This week, I’m going to try some of these suggestions, and I’m crossing my fingers that the lion (Spike) will lie down with the lamb (Clyde). Failing these strategies, I’ll move on to plan B: Dousing Clyde in a bottle of catnip.
Natural Solutions: Vibrant Health, Balanced Living offers its readers the latest news on health conditions, herbs and supplements, natural beauty products, healing foods and conscious living. Click here for a free sample issue.
More from Mel, selected from Natural Solutions magazine (131 articles available)
related stories
-
(3 comments)
-
(2 comments)
-
(7 comments)
Robyn
Melissa
Deepak
Eric
Dave
Dr. Brent
Isha
Susan
Delia
Michelle
Wendy
Megan
Hilary
Ann
Judi
Ronnie
Kelly
Lily
Terri
Betsy
Cait
Andrew
Jana
Annie B.
Veronica
15 comments
add your comment »thanksss...
Kabin
Konteyner
send green star | flag as inappropriate
why is this inappropriate?
Ms. Roseburg had a very good and important point to make about temperaments. One should always have an idea about their dog's natural inclinations before bringing a cat, dog, or even rodents home. Prey Drive is innate and difficult to deal with unless you take pains to control it.
Most importantly, a dog should never be allowed to chase a cat or kitten. Always keep your dog or puppy on a leash so you can keep them within close range. This will prevent the cat or kitten from learning to be scared of the dog. Having your dog lay down while giving him praise and treats teaches your dog to be calm while the kitty is scampering around. You need to be calm, too, and never get frightened or panicked if your dog becomes excited.
I had two cats when I adopted my dog, the black longhair had grown up around dogs, but my redhead hadn't and was terrified. Over a year of watching my black kitty walk around my dog, my redhead became less frightened but remained wary. When my black kitty passed away, we adopted two kittens into our home and my redhead learned from them not to be frightened of the dog. He still hisses at my dog, but he is no longer scared to come out of the bedroom. What helps greatly is feeding my cats before feeding my dog, who must watch as the cats eat first. I also eat before my dog, to establish rank order.
Babygating (my husband cut holes in them for the cats) helps designate cat-only rooms for comfort and privacy!
send green star | flag as inappropriate
why is this inappropriate?
Ms. Roseburg had a very good and important point to make about temperaments. One should always have an idea about their dog's natural inclinations before bringing a cat, dog, or even rodents home. Prey Drive is innate and difficult to deal with unless you take pains to control it.
Most importantly, a dog should never be allowed to chase a cat or kitten. Always keep your dog or puppy on a leash so you can keep them within close range. This will prevent the cat or kitten from learning to be scared of the dog. Having your dog lay down while giving him praise and treats teaches your dog to be calm while the kitty is scampering around. You need to be calm, too, and never get frightened or panicked if your dog becomes excited.
I had two cats when I adopted my dog, the black longhair had grown up around dogs, but my redhead hadn't and was terrified. Over a year of watching my black kitty walk around my dog, my redhead became less frightened but remained wary. When my black kitty passed away, we adopted two kittens into our home and my redhead learned from them not to be frightened of the dog. He still hisses at my dog, but he is no longer scared to come out of the bedroom. What helps greatly is feeding my cats before feeding my dog, who must watch as the cats eat first. I also eat before my dog, to establish rank order.
Babygating (my husband cut holes in them for the cats) helps designate cat-only rooms for comfort and privacy!
send green star | flag as inappropriate
why is this inappropriate?
We have a cat a dog, and often times, in the morning sun, we observe, our mini Jack russell, loves to be petted by the cat licking her all over, like her daily bath. A bit like a mother cat with her kittens, and you should, see the jack russells face! Is there anyone out there, who has had the same antics?
send green star | flag as inappropriate
why is this inappropriate?
My 50 lb. 1/2 Rottweiler & 1/4 Border Collier/1/4 Terrier was raised with a dominant 20 pounder long haired tabby (Poohbear). In 1999, Poohbear brought home a feral calico mother with her 4 kittens. The feral mother left after she knew her kittens had a "safe" new home. The dog hangs out with HIS cats; but will chase other cats. Circa Spring 08, Poohbear relentlessly attacked a pit bull that was threatening the dog, Bambino. My neighbor and I watched in total awe! Poohbear died in August at the age of 12. The other cats brought home a young (7-8 mos.)feral male shortly before Poohbear passed "over the rainbow bridge".
Bambino's natural instinct was to chase the new foreign cat; but Tommy (new cat) stood his ground, did not run, and Bambino quickly accepted him. In early January, Tommy was neutered. Bambino protected him; when one of the other family cats kept trying to attack him right after the surgery. I live in almost rural mobile home park. Various residents' dogs are often running free. I make certain the cats have plenty of cat size only escape routes and sanctuaries outide, in the event one is chased by a neighborhood dog.
send green star | flag as inappropriate
why is this inappropriate?
I introduced a rescued kitten into a home with a 135 pound Newfoundland dog who was an established elder. Some people had suggested doing things that established the cat as dominant to the dog but that just didn't feel right. We introduced them slowly but didn't hesitate to show affection to the kitten in front of our dog. If she reacted with any jealousy, we corrected her, asserting the fact that WE were the boss and we were telling her to leave the kitten alone as she was now part of our "pack".
We never left them alone together for months but when they were supervised we did let the cat scratch our dog's nose, showing her that the kitten wasn't defenseless. They eventually managed a truce, the dog understanding that the cat was here to stay and she had no say in the matter. It took a year or so but that persistent little kitten finally gained a bit of true friendship from our Newf and she allowed the kitten to curl up beside her, walk freely around the house and get as much attention from us as possible.
Part of our success however was knowing our dog. Firstly the breed is known for being very gentle despite their size, but we knew our particular dog very well and were fairly confident that with some care, she would at the least come to accept the cat. She never once made any aggressive motion towards the cat and despite her large, bumbling size, managed to never step on her even when she was twining around the dog's legs.
It's not an easy mix but different
send green star | flag as inappropriate
why is this inappropriate?
We had 2 dogs, one Lab and a mix breed when we "rescued" 2 (3yo) cats. The cats kept to the downstairs (basement) on their own for about 6 months then started to come and sit with us. That is when their food and water came upstairs! All four of them learned (on their own) to share the space. Over the last year we have added 3 puppies and one of the cats plays "hide & seek" with the youngest one! They run around the house, hide and then pounce on each other and start all over!! They also sleep together on the couch!
It might take a few months, but dogs and cats will learn to live together if we do not make a big deal out of it!!
send green star | flag as inappropriate
why is this inappropriate?
I may have a tip for Michelle Powell: If you suspect it is jealousy, you may try to add a few drops of Bach Flower Remedy "Holly" to Charlotte's drinking water (or put it on a goody). Another tip is (I do this to tell the dogs that cats are superior to them - and even to myself): feed the cat(s) first, then feed yourself and put the dog in last place. Sofar this has (almost) worked for me. I have had quite a few dogs staying with me who wanted to chase my cats. One of the dogs was really dangerous for my cats and I kept her separately, which wasn't easy as I live in quite a small apartment. Also, the cats are allowed in the kitchen. I leave the door ajar (with a hook), so the cats can enter, but the dogs can't. This only works with dogs that are larger than the cats...
Good luck!
send green star | flag as inappropriate
why is this inappropriate?
A suggestion for Michele, who is having issues with Charlotte and Opus, see if you can find any "Dog Whisperer" episodes (they air on National Geographic channel), or read Cesar Milan's books (I can't recall the titles right now, but I would think your local library would be able to get them for you). He deals with all sorts of behaviour issues, and solveing the majority of them basically comes down to claiming your role as head of the house.
Just a thought...
send green star | flag as inappropriate
why is this inappropriate?
You have to take an animal's tempermanent into account when bringing adult cats and dogs together. Terrier breeds are bred as hunting dogs, while dogs with a guarding instinct have been bred as working dogs. So unless they have grown upo together there is always a likelyhood of conflict as their instincts take over. Using pheremones sometimes help to calm cats (I used it when I introduced an adult cat into a 5 adult cat household), with limited results. Mild hostility still reigns after a year. Trying to supress an animal's inbred instinct is never going to be successful. But read up about animal behaviour or consult an expert for advice. It will be a full time job trying to get them to accept sharing their space - and you can never be sure what will happen when your back is turned. So if you want to keep trying make sure there is an escape path and refuge for both cats and dogs. But keep in mind the stress caused to both animals. Good luck
Ann Rosenberg (from London UK)
send green star | flag as inappropriate
why is this inappropriate?
Facebook account: