Dogs and cats: The relationship between pets

Dog and cat

Domestic dogs and cats have different needs, but they also share many similarities. To help pets adjust to each other, the home environment must cater to the needs of both animals. Dogs and cats have different rest requirements. A cat sleeps up to twenty hours a day, while dogs only need 12 to 14 hours of sleep daily. To ensure the cat can enjoy its peace undisturbed, it should have its own room, which is off-limits to the dog. The cat can retreat to this space for privacy.

Separate feeders help avoid disputes

Both dogs and cats need to eat undisturbed. If their food bowls are placed next to each other, one animal might help itself to the other’s food. Since both animals have different nutritional needs, they should not be fed the same food. The cat’s food bowl can be placed higher up so that the dog cannot reach it. If the cat has its own room, the feeding area can also be placed there. There should always be two water bowls available for both the dog and the cat to ensure they both have access to fresh water.

Successfully introducing a dog and a cat to each other

The first meeting should be conducted in a calm and stress-free environment. The two animals should not be forced into direct contact. The cat should be allowed to leave the room with the dog and retreat to its own space. Over time, the meetings can be extended. If the dog and cat voluntarily come into contact and sniff each other, the ice is broken. This starts a phase of tolerance where the two animals get to know each other better. If a dog and cat meet between three and four months of age, they often quickly become friends and snuggle together. However, even later introductions can lead to close friendships that last a lifetime.

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Dogs and cats: The relationship between pets
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