Many say that dogs don’t coexist well with cats, but is that always true?

Both animals will fight for their territory. Dogs will mark their territory, and will bark and even bite to protect it. Cats may be smaller animals, but they have sharp claws and can also be territorial.

It is possible to have cats and dogs coexist peacefully. They just need to learn obedience, especially the dog. You’ll want to know that no matter what your dog is doing, he’ll stop when you say ‘no.’ Dogs will most likely be the aggressor, so this is critical.

Cats love to roam around, so when you bring a new cat home, allow them to do so. This will also scatter their scent around the house.

The next step is to lock your cat in one room. Now let the dog wander around the house. He will spend time sniffing the cat’s scent without actually seeing the cat, which will teach him that the cat is part of the home now.

Dogs will first start barking when they see another animal that they perceive as a threat. A dog is extremely unlikely to immediately get physical with the other animal. Instead, they’ll try to scare the other animal away.

This is when you want to tell your dog ‘no.’ If he is obedient, your telling him ‘no’ will show him that the cat is a pet and is supposed to be in the home.

You’ll know that you’ve introduced the animals successfully when the dog stops barking. This is the time to let him get close and sniff the cat.

Most cats will try to stay away from dogs, other animals, and even people. It is their natural tendency to be aloof. Once the dog is no longer barking and the cat is not scratching, you’ll want to keep them in the same room for awhile so that they can get to know each other before the cat goes off on her own.

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