Pet owners with both dogs and cats have the best of both worlds. However, there is a potential problem with this situation, namely that the animals do not get along. News24 have talked to cat behaviorists Anna Jönsson Bergstedt and Karin Blomdog behavior specialist, to see how to stop conflicts between the pets.
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Therefore, the dog and the cat can quarrel
The main reason a dog and cat fight is when they are introduced to each other as adults. It can happen when a household that already has a cat chooses to add a dog, or vice versa. It is not impossible that one of the animals had a bad experience with a dog or cat before, and therefore has a negative attitude towards the other.
– Cats can generally feel threatened by dogs as the dog is a natural predator. The cat can also feel that there is a risk that it will get hurt if the dog is allowed to get close, says Bergstedt to Nyheter24.
To prevent the cat from being injured, the pet owner should be vigilant about dogs with a great desire to hunt and prey, as this increases the risk of conflict.
– With the dog, it is more individual. Individuals who find it fun to chase and are triggered by the cat running, or those who have had bad experiences with cats in the past, may find it more difficult to get along with cats, Blom explains.
In the worst case, a fight between the animals can lead to injuries. In their professional lives, Blom and Bergstedt have both seen rescued dogs with lacerations and bite wounds, but also cats that have been killed by dogs.
Dog and cat. Photo: Martin Meissner This is what you should do to avoid conflict
To avoid an uncomfortable situation between the furlings, the pet owner can think about introducing them under the right circumstances. For example, you can join and help at the first meetings, to get the animals used to each other.
– Teach the dog to respect that the cat can be left alone when it wants. Give the cat the opportunity to get away, preferably at a higher height so the dog cannot reach or touch the cat. Also make sure that the cat’s important resources are left alone. For example, that the cat doesn’t get rid of food, doesn’t get to the litter box, or has nowhere to hide, says Blom.
Both Blom and Bergstedt point out that the relationship between dog and cat benefits from the dog learning some rules. There is also no reason to stress the meeting, but the animal owner can advantageously give the animals time to get to know each other.
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