It is cute to have two or more kinds of pets around. It is easy to talk your family out of it but the real challenge here is how you can get an existing dog or cat in the house to like the new pet of the opposite species. Cats and dogs are known to be fierce enemies and because of this, it would take a lot of patience before you can get them to like each other. If you are thinking of bringing a new pet home and you have an existing one, knowing the right rules and steps for introduction is very necessary.
Before the Introduction
Before you add a new pet, there are things that you have to keep in mind in order to prevent the cat, dog or even you from getting harmed. The perfect time to introduce a canine and feline is when they are both young. On their baby stages, both are trying to familiarize themselves of the things around them. Getting them aware that the other kind of species exists while they are young will give them the impression that nothing is very special about the other and this will save them from the possible shock. If both or the existing pet is an adult, this is where the real challenge sets in.
The older pet or the existing one is the king or queen of the kingdom. The new pet that you will introduce will be seen as an intruder or an unwelcome guest. Cats have the normal behavior to protest by marking their territory whenever there is a threat to their status while dogs have the instinct to chase small things that move and run especially cats. Another important fact to remember is that, dogs are easier to train and cats are rare to follow commands. With this, you will have to focus on training your dog more to leave something alone, sit and stay when told. If the newcomer is a dog, do not let him roam around the house as the adult cat will see him as a threat. The same goes for a new kitty if you are uncertain that your dog will not harm the cat if it was spotted around the house. Space, place to sleep, food and your attention is something that both need and will fight for.
The Encounter
A new cat or dog in the house would need time to adjust themselves on the new place. Do not make the existing pet and new one meet each other on the first day. This would instill fear and insecurity on the part of the newcomer while the one that lived with you for a while will suffer from stress. Place them on separate rooms and let the new pooch or kitty to become familiar with your house. If the new pet is a kitty, hold and pet it so that its smell will stick on you. After that, go to the other room where your dog is and let him sniff you. This will prevent the latter from the shock and it will serve as a preparation on the upcoming meeting.
When you let the two guys meet, be prepared to restrain them from attacking each other. Let them sniff each other and watch out for the next step that they may take. Give a sharp "no" to your dog whenever he does something wrong but do not scold anyone. Remember that no one should get disappointed in front of the other and making the visit a pleasant experience is the key for them to like each other's existence. Provide rewards in every meet up and this has to go on for days and weeks until you are certain that they are fine with the other one around.
Before the Introduction
Before you add a new pet, there are things that you have to keep in mind in order to prevent the cat, dog or even you from getting harmed. The perfect time to introduce a canine and feline is when they are both young. On their baby stages, both are trying to familiarize themselves of the things around them. Getting them aware that the other kind of species exists while they are young will give them the impression that nothing is very special about the other and this will save them from the possible shock. If both or the existing pet is an adult, this is where the real challenge sets in.
The older pet or the existing one is the king or queen of the kingdom. The new pet that you will introduce will be seen as an intruder or an unwelcome guest. Cats have the normal behavior to protest by marking their territory whenever there is a threat to their status while dogs have the instinct to chase small things that move and run especially cats. Another important fact to remember is that, dogs are easier to train and cats are rare to follow commands. With this, you will have to focus on training your dog more to leave something alone, sit and stay when told. If the newcomer is a dog, do not let him roam around the house as the adult cat will see him as a threat. The same goes for a new kitty if you are uncertain that your dog will not harm the cat if it was spotted around the house. Space, place to sleep, food and your attention is something that both need and will fight for.
The Encounter
A new cat or dog in the house would need time to adjust themselves on the new place. Do not make the existing pet and new one meet each other on the first day. This would instill fear and insecurity on the part of the newcomer while the one that lived with you for a while will suffer from stress. Place them on separate rooms and let the new pooch or kitty to become familiar with your house. If the new pet is a kitty, hold and pet it so that its smell will stick on you. After that, go to the other room where your dog is and let him sniff you. This will prevent the latter from the shock and it will serve as a preparation on the upcoming meeting.
When you let the two guys meet, be prepared to restrain them from attacking each other. Let them sniff each other and watch out for the next step that they may take. Give a sharp "no" to your dog whenever he does something wrong but do not scold anyone. Remember that no one should get disappointed in front of the other and making the visit a pleasant experience is the key for them to like each other's existence. Provide rewards in every meet up and this has to go on for days and weeks until you are certain that they are fine with the other one around.
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