We tell you whether it is worth getting a dog if there is already an adult cat in the house and how to make sure they get along.

Pet lovers are usually divided into dog lovers and cat lovers. But there are also those who want both a cat and a dog to live in the house. The question arises: will they get along? Let’s figure out whether it’s worth housing these two together, how long it takes for a cat to get used to a dog, and what to do to make them friends.

What kind of dog should I get if I have a cat at home?

First, let’s figure out what breed of dog is best to get so that it doesn’t fight with the cat. Golden retrievers, boxers, poodles, bichon frizes, and chihuahuas get along well with cats. We have previously told you what the best dog breeds are for cats.

If we talk about cat breeds, the most dog-friendly are Maine Coon, Abyssinian, Norwegian Forest, Kuril Bobtail and Ragdoll. It’s okay if you have a cat of a different breed (or a mongrel) – there are several tricks on how to make friends with an adult cat and a dog.

How to make a cat and dog become friends

To begin with, prepare for the dog’s arrival in such a way as to preserve as much as possible for the cat his previous lifestyle. You should limit the cat’s access to one of the rooms – the dog will initially live there. Also, for the cat, you will need to equip an “upper tier” in the house: so that she can walk around the house where her dog cannot reach, for example, on cabinets and shelves. Also place the beds and cat house higher up – this way the cat will feel more protected.

For the dog you will need to buy bowls, a collar with a leash, a bed or house, several toys, a comb, etc. – in general, everything that your cat has, only from a dog. Each should have individual things and, above all, there will be no reason for these two to share bedding or toys. When everything is ready, take the dog home.

So, there is now an adult cat and a puppy in the house – how to make these two friends? First of all, do not show them to each other right away – if they fight right away, it will be more difficult to make them friends later.

Do this:

• bring the dog into the house secretly from the cat and place it in a separate room for several days;
• take some cat thing and put it in the dog’s room – this way she will quickly get used to the smell of the “neighbor”;
• Offer the cat to smell something with the smell of a dog – let him get used to it too.

This “trick” needs to be done several times – the animals perceive the world through their sense of smell and will gradually get used to each other’s smell and will not perceive the other as a stranger.

After a few days, if both are behaving normally, arrange a meeting. The dog will first need to be placed in a carrier or kept on a leash. Don’t be alarmed if the cat and dog hiss, growl and bark at first – this is normal. Intervene only in cases of obvious aggression. The first meeting should last only a few minutes, but each time (after a few hours or a day) its duration can be increased.

In order for a cat and dog to become friends faster, it is also important for the owner to behave correctly:

• try to remain calm in any situation – animals are very sensitive to excitement;
• do not neglect any of them;
• feed separately and in different rooms (at least for the first time) – this way the dog will not take food from the cat;
• Walk the dog enough time so that the cat does not get bored with it.

Do not forget also to watch the games of the cat and dog at first and stop it immediately if there is any manifestation of aggression. Do this in such a way that neither of these two feels out of place or unloved.

What to do if the cat does not accept the dog

Cats sometimes have a terrible character – they become very jealous and categorically refuse to accept a new neighbor into their home. Or vice versa: the cat has an easy-going character, but the dog simply “sits on his head.” What to do in this case?

To correct the behavior of animals, you can use special means, pheromones – they calm and soften their character. They can be purchased at a pet store, but keep in mind that such products have a cumulative effect, they need to be used for some period of time for them to start working. Pheromones do not affect everyone, but in most cases they help make pets calmer.

In 99 cases out of 100, dogs and cats eventually get along – at first they get used to their personalities and fight, but then life returns to a peaceful course. Of course, there is no guarantee that an adult cat and a puppy will become bosom friends; sometimes they simply begin to remain neutral – which is also not bad. If you are “lucky” to get into that 1% when a dog and a cat become bitter enemies, do not continue the experiments, but try to find a new family for the puppy.