Can dogs and cats be really friends?

The answer is, it depends! Dogs and cats have different behaviours and so it can be hard to say. However, it doesn’t also mean they can never get along well. You just need to take a few extra steps to make sure they can live harmoniously with the other.

Here are 6 tips for having both dogs and cats as pets:

Provide their own space

The first thing you can do to make sure everyone lives harmoniously is for them to have their own spaces. This will help them adjust easily to having the other around. And they could have a place where they can stay peacefully without the presence of the other. You know, when they need some time alone.

Feed them at the same time

One of the best ways to introduce your dogs and cats is to feed them at the same time because they get to socialize and mind their eating business at the same time. But just make sure that you still provide ample space between them.

Give them comfort

Do you know that their smell can help you to make them comfortable towards each other? Dogs and cats smell each other and the more they do, the more they accept each other. One thing you can do to support their smell recognition is to swap out their beddings.

Allow them to play

Give them time to play together and be in one space. Both animals are naturally playful and allowing them to spend time together will gradually introduce the other as someone they can play with. Just make sure you keep an eye on them especially the first time.

Understand their behaviour

Dogs and cats have both unique and dominant behaviours. Monitor both animal reactions and their behaviours when they are together. By doing so, you get enough idea on how you can continue to introduce each other and how you can support in creating a better relationship for both.

Spend equal time to both pets

Dogs and cats can be very jealous too. Hence, you must spend equal time with both pets. Spending equal time to both will also help you have an equal understanding of both pets’ behaviours.

They say you can only either be a dog person or a cat person but others can do both too. Think of cats and dogs like siblings; they can be very opposite but will always have something in common and that is playfulness and that alone is more than enough for them to become real best buddies.