One of the questions I am sometimes asked is, how is it possible that so many dogs are not only able to live alongside a cat but actually seem to enjoy their company? This is something that many of you will have witnessed. Yet the same dog, when faced with a cat that it does not know, will want to chase and possibly harm that cat. It is same for the cat that lives with a dog, as it too can adore that dog but will hiss and threaten to claw at any other dog that crosses its path. 

 

The answer here is, they are family, a 'pack'. Both species can happily share their life with another species if they are part of the same 'pack'. What is very clear is that an aggressive attitude shown to a strange dog or cat is a reaction to perceived potential danger by the individual animal. This highlights the survival mechanism we all share, the distrust of strangers no matter what the species.

 

We need to be given time to be reassured that their presence will not be a danger to us or our own family (pack) and when we are convinced that there is no direct threat, we can then make a steady, polite and respectful introduction.

 

I and many of our Dog Listeners are often asked the best way to introduce a dog and cat for the first time and if this is done calmly and patiently, both animals can learn the value of being together and come to be friends. Although both will initially perceive the other as a potential threat, we can show them both that this is not the case by quietly bringing the dog, on lead, into the area where the cat is located, ensuring that the cat has an easy and familiar escape route, as we must never frighten either animal.  Allow them to see each other and if the cat chooses to run away, having the dog on lead you can prevent the dog from being able to naturally chase anything that runs away and the most important part of this whole situation is that the handler of the dog and anyone else present remains very calm, quiet and relaxed about the whole thing.

 

Staying calm and simply repeating this as often as you can you will find that given the time to think things through the cat will come to realise that it does not have to run away, the dog learns not to chase and as long as you stay quiet and 'matter of fact' about the whole situation then very soon they will become accepting of each other and even good friends. If in any doubt take a deep breath, check your pulse rate is down before you begin.

 

There is also the question of dogs and other animals and I like to encourage dog owners to think how a dog would view the other animal instinctively.  A cat, like a dog is a predator by nature and would not be considered as a potential meal to each other. A rabbit, however, could be perceived as possible food by both a dog and a cat and even if you have been able to bring these together I would be very careful. If, for any reason, a dog or a cat are really hungry this could certainly influence the relationship!

 

Fortunately dogs tend to be extremely acceptant of almost anything that we introduce them to, from the household vacuum cleaner to a 'pet' pig.  Just as long as you always remember that the fundamental nature of the dog cannot be changed, only modified and to quietly show the dog how to behave in any situation or relationship then allow them time to learn and accept, is the best way forward which is exactly the same way that we would want to be treated when encountering an unknown situation.

 

A word of warning though; many different species do live very happily together of their own choice, despite their nature, but when we choose to engineer such a situation, patience is the key and will usually result in success. However, there are no guarantees, please remember this is the real world not 'Disney world'

 

 Jan Fennell

27th June 2012