Are you prepared to capture adorable moments of puppies and kittens together? Before you proceed, it's crucial to establish a harmonious home life for them. Today, our veterinarians in Gilbert provide some tips on ensuring that your puppy and kitten coexist harmoniously.
Raising a Puppy & Kitten Together
If you intend to raise a puppy and a kitten together, you can implement certain strategies to introduce them and facilitate peaceful coexistence.
Introduce Them Slowly
Introducing your puppy and kitten early on helps them become accustomed to each other, and the way you introduce them plays a crucial role.
When you first introduce your kitten and puppy, make sure they can see each other while having their own separate spaces. A good starting point is to place them in adjacent rooms separated by a baby gate.
Expect some excitement during this introduction. It's normal if your kitten hisses and spits at your dog as they establish boundaries with a new companion.
These initial introductions aim to observe positive reactions or even indifference. If your puppy and kitten are content doing their own thing while in each other's presence, it's a positive sign that they can coexist safely and comfortably.
Training Your Puppy
Focusing on your puppy's obedience holds utmost significance, especially when you are raising them alongside a kitten!
You must instruct your dog in fundamental commands like "sit," "stay," "no," and "leave it" to deter any rough interactions with the kitten. Should your puppy become excessively excited and begin to stalk or chase the kitten, these commands become crucial in shifting their focus and instilling proper boundaries.
Best Dog Breeds to Raise with a Cat
To ensure a successful relationship between your puppy and kitten, you must carefully consider the dog breed you select before bringing home your adorable puppy.
The breed and temperament of your puppy, not your kitten, will significantly influence how well they can coexist. Dogs inherently possess a hunting instinct, which becomes apparent in their play behaviors, such as chasing balls or tugging on ropes, which mimic hunting actions.
Certain dog breeds exhibit a stronger hunting instinct, often called "prey drive." This instinct can potentially lead to behavioral issues in your dog. Even if your puppy initially gets along with your cat, as your dog grows larger, belonging to a breed with a highly developed hunting instinct may lead them to perceive your cat as prey.
Terriers, Beagles, Shiba Inus, Huskies, Dobermans, Malamutes, and Cattle Dogs are breeds known for their high prey drives. If your puppy belongs to any of these breeds or is a mix, it's essential to be extremely cautious regarding their prey drive when raising them alongside your kitten.
Managing Your Pet's Time Together
To ensure a healthy interaction between your kitten and puppies, overseeing and tracking their time together is important. By observing how their bond evolves, you can determine the best approach. Consider these options based on your puppy and kitten's unique personalities:
- Avoid having your dog and cat in the house alone together. Separate them in different rooms or crate/cage them.
- Avoid having your puppy and kitten eat at the same time or in the same place. Dogs can be protective of their food and may get aggressive with your kitten, even if the kitten only sniffs the interesting food their sibling is eating.
- Set up safe areas of your home for each pet to be alone if they would like. This can include teaching each of your pets to stay out of the other's space, getting your puppy a crate, or setting aside the upstairs or basement for one pet or the other.
Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition, please make an appointment with your vet.