10 Easy Tips To Help Your Cat and Dog Get Along

Do you have a cat AND a dog?  Have they driven you crazy yet?  Here are 10 easy tips to help them coexist peacefully with each other and with YOU. 

I know you've heard the cliche "fighting like cats and dogs". Turns out there's not much validity to it. A recent study in the Journal of Veterinary Behavior indicates that cats and dogs can co-habitat just peachy. 

So what's the story with cats and dogs "fighting"? Well, just like humans don't always get along with their housemates, neither do animals. They don't seem to fight any more than any other same-species roommates. However, when they do fight, it can be intense and can often cause injury. 

It has been noticed that cats most often controlled the relationship dynamic and the earlier that they were introduced to their dog roommate, the more friendly they were likely to be with each other. Researchers have learned that the vast majority of cat/dog homes are more peaceful than not but when conflict does arise, it is often the cat that instigates, and the dog that appeases. 

However, there are a few things you can do to reduce tension and ensure peace in your home if you do have a cat and dog:

1. Allow them to get familiar with the others' scent via a blanket or towel before making a face-to-face introduction. This will allow them to get accustomed to the new smell. 

2. Introduce your cat and dog when both are young, if possible. Their natural curiosity and youthful playfulness should allow them to feel comfort more rapidly than they would if they were older. 

3. Leash your dog for the first few meetings. This allows you to have more control over their interaction.

4. If adopting a new dog, try to find one that has already been exposed to cats, and vice versa. 

5. Be sure your dog works off his/her energy with some exercise BEFORE greeting your cat. A mellow dog helps lead to a mellow cat. If you don't have the time to exercise your pup first, then be sure they're relaxed and calm when meeting your kitty. Our Restful Pet Hemp, Chamomile, and Valerian Oil can help keep them cool, calm, & collected.

6. Supervise all interactions in the early days. As dogs are typically larger, cats can easily be injured by a playful or rambunctious dog. This can lead to future trust issues between the two.

7. Take note of your pets' body language and separate them if you notice tension or discomfort in either.

8. Feed them in separate spaces.

9. Keep your dog away from the litter box. The scent of the dog might stress your cat.

10. Make sure they have separate safe-spaces to relax. Don't force togetherness. They'll bond in their own time.

Take time to properly socialize your cat and dog and you can have a stress free cat-dog home!