Miami Vet Office

Managing Canine-Feline Relationships

Pet lovers sometimes cannot make the choice between species; the dichotomy of cats versus dogs has been a part of American culture for a very long time. However, despite what cartoons might illustrate, cats and dogs can indeed live in harmony with one another.

The responsibility of making sure that pets remain in peace rests upon the shoulders of the owner. Mitigating the integration process is no small task. One must be attentive, prepared and patient.

The first rule of thumb for integrating cats and dogs into one household is to respect the space of the animals. These animals need time to get used to one another. Confining the new pet to a specific part of the house for a few weeks is an advisable approach to making sure that there are no negative confrontations in the beginning. The fact is especially true when there is a maturity disparity between the animals. Younger animals tend to be much more curious and often do not know when they are intruding on another animal’s space.

Secondly, try to divide your time between the animals equally. Jealously only bring mutiny, which can hurt the success of integration. Don’t show favoritism. Try to love both animals as you would your children. Once the animals have been introduced—Kitty is used to Rover and Fluffy has sniffed Muffin to his delight—be on the lookout for aggressive behavior, especially around food.

Balancing two completely different types of animals can be very difficult. But it can be done. For more information on effective ways to keep your pet healthy and happy, visit www.miamiveterinarianclinics.com .