7 Tricks To Making Cats & Dogs Get Along

If only all animals and pets could get along. It’s not always the case but for domesticated animals, there’s a chance there.

The most common domestic pet pairing you’ll see in most households is cat and dog. Lucky us, right? Cats and dogs are fantastic pets and make great forever companions, but what about with each other?

Why do cats and dogs hate each other?

Cats and dogs go way back but not in a friendly way. Before their ancestral species were domesticated and even for some time afterward, dogs and cats didn’t get the same care and attention that they do now. They’re practically treated like human babies at this point, but the point is, cats and dogs had to fend for themselves. 

Since both dogs and cats are carnivorous, the common fight was about food. Cats are solitary, contrasting from dogs who have pack mentalities. So that kind of tension causes friction. In other words, cats and dogs aren’t going to get along.

There are, however, exceptions to the rules.

Is there hope for cats and dogs? Can cats and dogs get along?

There’s hope. Don’t fret! If cats and dogs are appropriately socialized, they have a chance at a relationship that’s far from antagonistic, and if you’re lucky, they have a chance at companionship. Fair warning though: Depending on how you socialize your pets, they might develop a preference for the other. For example, dogs raised with cats may prefer cats to dogs.

What can you do to help your cat and dog get along?

There are countless tips and tricks on the web. We’ve done our research on tricks to making cats and dogs get along, and here are 7 of our favorites to share with you.

1. Keep their eating areas and toys separate from each other.

The last thing you want to do is give a foundation for them to get upset at each other, and food is sensitive territory. Keep your dog and cat’s food bowls away from each other and try to get them on the same eating schedule so that they’re both occupied by their own food. 

Cats and dogs may also get territorial with toys. 

2. Prepare safe spaces for your cat and dog. 

You want to give your cat and your dog a chance to hide from the other if they’re not in the mood to play or are having a bad time. If your cat or dog feels trapped, that can induce anxiety and other behaviors not normal to your pet.

3. Keep your dog’s mind stimulated.

Part of keeping your cat chill with your dog is keeping your dog chill with your cat, and the only way to really accomplish that is to keep them stimulated. Give them toys, activities, exercise, etc. so that their zoomies and energetic behavior doesn’t disturb your cat.

4. Aim to raise them together.

If both your cat and dog are young when raised together, there’s potential for them to bond easily. Consider this if it is a feasible option.

5. Don’t rush or force them into meeting too eagerly.

Rushing your cat or dog into meeting situations is a recipe for disaster. Give them the room, monitor their space, and let them get introduced slowly. Follow their pace; not yours.

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