Can Cat be a Dog’s Best Friend – Myth or Truth?

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There is no doubting that America loves their pets. There are tens of millions of Americans with cats and dogs, and many households even have both. Before getting a pet of any kind, many people will do a lot of online research.

They will learn how much to feed their pets, how to train them, and even information on their particular breed. For example, if you want to learn more about cat-friendly dog breeds, be sure to get more info on Pride & Prejudoodles.

Another common thing to search for is whether or not dogs and cats can be friends. We have all seen those cute videos of dogs and cats cuddlings, but is it realistic to expect this in your home? With that in mind, this blog post is going to take a closer look at whether a cat can actually be a dog’s best friend.

Can Cats and Dogs Be Friends?

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The short answer is yes, it is possible for your cat and dog to be friends. Those cute videos are not a lie and plenty of families have cats and dogs that love spending time with one another. However, don’t expect them to instantly be friends. It can take some hard work, and likely some training, in order for you to get your cat and dog to be friendly. It is often easier if they are introduced while young, but can be done with cats and dogs of all ages.

It is important to be aware that in some cases, the pets won’t be compatible. Sometimes their personalities simply don’t match, and they will never become the best of friends, and may only ever tolerate each other. Of course, this isn’t necessarily a bad thing, and you shouldn’t pressure the pets to be friendly if they aren’t comfortable doing so.

Now that you know that dogs and cats can indeed be friendly with one another, we’re going to go over a few simple tips to help you ensure your dog and cat aren’t sworn, enemies.

Introduce Them Slowly and Be Patient

First and foremost, it is normally a good idea to introduce your cat and your dog slowly. The more you gradually increase their exposure, the more desensitized they will be. Put them in situations where they can see or smell each other, but in a way that is controlled, such as behind a baby gate, or through a small crack in a door.

Over time, the two will generally become more used to one another and should be more receptive to spending time together. If you try to rush the process, you may only end up making things worse, and it could lead to plenty of fighting between the two pets.

Watch the Body Language

Another tip when trying to get cats and dogs to be friends with one another is to understand your pets body language. The more you can understand body language, the better suited you will be to know how your pet is feeling just by looking at them.

While all pets are different in terms of their personality, many animals of the same species will do similar things when they are scared, focused, happy, sad, or angry. It is up to you to be able to learn and identify these things.

Also, be aware that certain behaviors may mean different things in cats vs. dogs. When a dog wags its tail, it is normally incredibly happy and excited. But when a cat’s tail thrashes back and forth, it is often a sign that they are angry or displeased.

Knowing body language can make sure you can separate the two before they fight, and can show you when they are getting along.

We hope this article has shown you that yes, cats can be a dog’s best friends if you introduce them the right way and have patience.