Are you ready to capture adorable moments of puppies and kittens together? Before you do, it's important to ensure they have a harmonious home life. Today, our Harlingen vets share some tips on how to ensure that your puppy and kitten behave well together.
Raising a Puppy & Kitten Together
If you plan to raise a puppy and a kitten together, you can follow some strategies to introduce them and help them coexist peacefully.
Introduce Them Slowly
Introducing your puppy and kitten early on is a good way to help them get accustomed to each other. How you introduce them matters too.
When you first introduce your kitten and puppy, ensure that they can see each other but also have their own separate spaces. A good way to start is by placing them in adjacent rooms with a baby gate in between.
Expect some excitement when you introduce your pets this way. 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 live together safely and comfortably.
Training Your Puppy
Working on your puppy's obedience is always important, but it is even more important when they are being raised with a kitten!
It's essential to teach your dog basic commands such as "sit," "stay," "no," and "leave it" to prevent any rough behavior towards the kitten. If your puppy becomes overly excited and starts stalking or chasing the kitten, these commands can be vital in redirecting their attention and teaching them appropriate boundaries.
Best Dog Breeds to Raise with a Cat
To ensure a successful relationship between your puppy and kitten, it's crucial to consider the breed of dog you choose before bringing home your adorable puppy.
The breed and temperament of your puppy, rather than your kitten, will play a significant role in how well they can coexist. Dogs naturally have a hunting instinct, which is evident in their play behavior, such as chasing balls or tugging on ropes, mimicking hunting actions.
Certain dog breeds have a stronger hunting instinct, also known as "prey drive." This instinct can potentially cause issues with your dog's behavior. Even if your puppy initially gets along with your cat, as your dog grows larger, if they belong to a breed with a highly developed hunting instinct, they may 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 spent 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 confrontational with your kitten, even if the kitten was only sniffing 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.