When people are n’t consider whether cats or Canis familiaris aremore thinking , they ’re equating them as deathly foes . That ’s a stereotype that both guy expert Jackson Galaxy , host of the Animal Planet showMy Cat From Hell , and certified firedog flight simulator Zoe Sandor desire to break .
Typically , catsare aloof and easy startled , whiledogsare gregarious and territorial . This does n’t intend , however , that they ca n’t deal the same space — they’re just going to need your help . “ If cats and dogs are bring in up together in a positive , loving , encouraging environment , they ’re going to be supporter , ” Galaxy tell Mental Floss in 2017 . “ Or at the very least , they ’ll support each other . ”
The duo had teamed up to host an Animal Planet serial publication , Cat vs. Dog . The show chronicled their efforts to serve favourite owner establish long - live peace — if not perfect musical harmony — among quat and dogs . ( Yes , it ’s possible . ) Gleaned from both TV and off - camera experiences , here are eight tips Galaxy and Sandor said will help improve household relations between Fido and Fluffy .
1. Take your pets’ personalities—not breeds—into account.
adverse to popular notion , sure breeds of cat and dogs do n’t typically get along substantially than others . harmonize to Galaxy and Sandor , it ’s more important to take their personality and energy levels into accounting . If a dog is aggressive and territorial , it wo n’t be a good fit in a household with askittish cat . In demarcation , an mature dog would hate sharing his space with a boisterous kitty .
If two animals do n’t end up being a personality match , have a backup architectural plan , or consider setting up a household organisation that keep them differentiate for the tenacious term . And if you’readopting a pet , do your homework and ask its previous owners or shelter if it ’s lived with other animals before , or gets along with them .
2. Train your dog.
To set your click up for achiever with cats , instruct it to control its impulse , Sandor said . Does it leap across the kitchen when someone drops a cooky , or go on high alert when it sees a squeaky toy ? If so , it probably wo n’t be great with cats right off the squash racket , since it will likely jump up whenever it spot a feline .
support off Fido ’s face time with Fluffy until the former is trained to rest put . And even then , keepa leashhandy during the first several cat - domestic dog encounter .
3. Give a cat its own territory before it meets a dog.
Arabian tea postulate a protected blank space — a “ base camp ” of sorts — that ’s just theirs , Galaxy order . Make this refuge off - limits to the Canis familiaris , but make safe outer space around the house , too . This style , the computerized tomography can confidently navigate shared dominion without trouble from its canine sib .
Sincecatsare natural climbers , Galaxy recommended taking advantage of your home ’s vertical blank space . purchase tall CT trees , instal shelves , or place a computerized axial tomography bottom atop a bookcase . This allows your cat to notice the dog-iron from a secure space , or cross a room without touching the floor .
And while you ’re at it , keep dogs aside from thelitter box . Cats should finger safe while doing their business sector , plus dogs sometimes wish tosnack on cat ordure , a spoilt drug abuse that can make your poochto contractintestinal sponger . These dirt ball can cause a muckle of health problems , including puking , diarrhoea , weight red ink , and anemia .
Baby gate work in a pinch , but since some dogs are escape artists , prepare for worst - case scenarios by keeping the litter box uncover and in an unresolved quad . That manner , the CT wo n’t be cornered and trapped mid - jack .
4. Exercise your dog’s body and mind.
“ People work out their dogs probably 20 percent of what they should really be doing , ” Sandor allege . “ It ’s really important that their vigor is put out somewhere else so that they have the ability to slow down their brains and really manipulate themselves when they ’re around kitties . ”
Dogs also ask lots of stimulus . take in it in a controlled way makes them less likely to fulfil it by , say , chasing a cat . For this , Sandor recommendedtoys , herding - case activities , lure coursing , and high - intensity magic trick training .
“ Instead of just pack a walk , stop and do a sit five times on every pulley , ” she said . “ And do direction changes three time on every city block , or speed changes two times . It ’s about unleashing their herding instincts and prey drive in an appropriate fashion . ”
If you do n’t have time for any of these activity , Sandor recommend hiring a dog pedestrian , or enroll in doggy daycare .
5. Let cats and dogs follow their noses.
In Galaxy ’s book , Total Cat Mojo , he writes that it ’s a smart theme to let cats and cad sniffle each other ’s bedding and toys before a grimace - to - face origination . This way , they can satisfy their peculiarity and void potential turf battles .
6. Plan the first cat/dog meeting carefully.
Just like humans , big cat and heel have just one good chance to make a great first impression . Luckily , they both love food , which might ultimately serve them love each other .
Schedule the first cat - frump meeting during mealtime , but keep the dog on a trinity and both animals on opposite slope of a closed doorway . They wo n’t see each other , but they will smell each other while chowing down on their several foods . They ’ll begin to affiliate this smell with food , thus “ making it a in effect matter , ” Galaxy said .
Do this every mealtime for several weeks , before slowly introducing ocular simulation . Continue feed the hombre and dog separately , but on either side of a dog gate or screen , before ultimately take out it all together . By this point , “ they ’re use up side - by - side , moderately much ignoring each other , ” Galaxy said . For safety ’s sake , carry on keeping the wienerwurst on a leash until you ’re confident it ’s safe to take it off ( and even then , exercise caution ) .
7. Keep their food and toys separate.
After you ’ve successfully ingratiated the cat and dog using feeding exercises , keep their food arena separate . “ A cat will take the air up to thedog bowl — either while the dog ’s eating , or in the vicinity — and endeavor to consume out of it , ” Galaxy said . “ The dog just goes to town on them . You ca n’t assume that your cad is n’t food for thought - protective or resource - protective . ”
To prevent these disastrous mealtime encounter , agenda regular mealtimes for your darling ( no free feeding ! ) and place the bowl in freestanding areas of the house , or thecat ’s dishup on a table or another high situation .
Also , keep a close optic on the cat ’s toys — competition over toys can also prompt fighting . “ Dogs tend to get really intocatnip , ” Galaxy said . “ My hotdog love catnip a whole lot more than my cats do . ”
8. Consider raising a dog and cat together (if you can).
socialize these animals at a unseasoned age can be leisurely than introducing them as adult — pupsare easily trainable “ leech ” that souse up new information and situations , Sandor tell . Plus , dogs are less positive and smaller at this phase in life , allowing the cat to “ seize its rightful position at the top of the hierarchy , ” she add .
Remain watchful , though , to ensure everything goes smoothly — specially when the blackguard hits its boisterous “ teenage ” stage before becoming a full - produce hotdog .
A version of this story in the beginning guide in 2017 ; it has been updated for 2023 .
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