Fighting like cats and dogs – is this assumption true? Because few cats and dogs coexist well together but how do you know if your dog will adore cats?
You had better be certain that your dog will be fine with you owning a cat before bringing the cat to your abode. Some dogs adore cats ironically, that is, they love to pursue them while some dogs show affection towards cats. But how do you know if your dog will accept a cat before you start rearing the cat?
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Although you can't be certain about how your dog will behave to anything, there are some definite behavioral signs that you can examine that determine if your dog might be cat-friendly.
If you want to know if your dog is cat-friendly and how to present a cat to your dog, this article is just for you.
Factors that determine if your dog will be cat-friendly
Breed
Dogs of certain breeds can relate well than other breeds, though, a dog's attitude cannot be determined based on its ancestry. Dogs which include Maltese, Pugs, and a lot more from Toy group are known to be friendly to various kinds of animals including cats.
Golden Retrievers and Labrador Retrievers are members of the Sporting Group and are known to be easygoing and affectionate towards everything and everyone. They are also easy to control and they are known for their willingness to please their owner.
On the contrary, certain members of the working group which includes Terriers, Sight hounds, and many more have intense prey drives and an unsatisfying quench to pursue smaller animals that move faster. These dogs are tamed to track, hunt, and get rid of their prey.
Nevertheless, their ability to hunt is just one feature of their behavior and this does not presume that these dogs cannot be cat-friendly but they may require more time and effort under the supervision of skilled personnel, so, all dogs can be friendly with cats.
Personality
It doesn't matter if you are rearing a purebred or a crossbred dog, the dog's behavior determines if the dog is cat-friendly or not. For instance, how your dog reacts when they hear the doorbell ring and their behavior when a bird or cat run across their path determines if they are a cat-friendly dog or not.
Since super-reactive dogs tend to pursue and get rid of smaller animals, the way a dog reacts in these circumstances can determine how the dog would behave to a cat in the home. You can look out for body signs which include barking, growling, staring, and lunging.
Past behavior
Dogs tend to adore cats if they are reared among them. If you are interested in rearing both cats and dogs, you should bring them into your abode at the same period. This will prevent defensive behaviors and allow them to relate freely with each other.
Nevertheless, don't forget to keep your dog chained or in an enclosed area. The fact that the dog is friendly with their "own" feline doesn't ascertain that they won't hurt others.
“Cat-Testing” your dog
Do you know how animal shelters know if a dog is cat-friendly or not? The method crucially includes skilled and experienced personnel and one very laid-back cat. Several rescue and shelter associations have adorable cats that are super friendly and coexist well with dogs. This caring cat serves as their formal "cat-tester".
Cat-testing a dog starts with the cat being placed in a crate or behind a transparent door that is safe and secure while the dog moves around, chained. If the dog can maintain its composure and degree of curiosity, the personnel brings out the cat from the case and carries it in his or her hands. The dog is allowed to inspect and inhale the smell of the cat, and the personnel looks for alarming attitudes such as growling, barking, lunging, and a lot more.
In the absence of the signs listed above, the next procedure is to place the cat on the floor while the dog is still chained. If the dog can remain calm and composed, the final process which involves unchaining the dog and allowing him to inspect the cat one-to-one is carried out.
This is an unfailing procedure to ascertain that a dog is feline-friendly and is prepared to make a cat their friend. Nevertheless, only experienced staff should be allowed to carry out this "cat-tester" experiment. You can communicate with skilled personnel or trainer to help you know your dog's degree of adaptation to cats.
Canines and felines can undoubtedly live together in harmony, but it may require time for them to adapt to each other. Don't forget that animals have different instincts, just like humans. Regardless of your dog’s breed, personality, or past behavior, it is always advisable to closely monitor the early relationship between dogs and cats.
Tips for introducing your dog to cats
There is a correct method and an incorrect method to present your dog to cats for the first time. The incorrect method is to straightforwardly take the cat into your abode and observe how your dog behaves toward the cat.
The correct method is a more organized approach that makes sure that both the dog and the cat do not feel endangered and behave aggressively. It is advisable to do a speedy experiment with one animal placed in a case or crate or behind a transparent door.
The first step is to make your dog see and familiarize itself with the cat. If the dog exhibits calm behavior, you may then introduce the cat into the room in a case and allow your dog to inhale the cat's scent. As much as your dog behaves well with the cat, you can remove the cat from the case.
It is the right concept to keep your dog chained. If the dog still maintains his level of composure without showing signs like barking or lunging, you can allow the cat and the dog to relate with each other freely.
When it comes to animals, you always have to watch out for unexpected situations. There is no method to determine what your dog is thinking of and it is expected of you to be ready to step in if anything goes wrong. Take what you’ve learned here to properly introduce your dog to cats for the best result.
Conclusion
Dogs and cats are known for their inability to relate freely with each other but this assumption is not true because having a dog and cat that peacefully coexist under the same roof is possible, but it does require a bit of a time commitment. There is no guarantee that your cat and dog will get along with each other but gradually introducing them and giving them equal amounts of attention can help.
Rearing the cats and the dogs together at the same time can also help to establish a friendly relationship between them. Some methods can be adopted to determine if a dog is feline-friendly or not. The most effective method, which is "cat-testing" your dog should be applied correctly to derive the best results.