Problem dog and cat;
Sometimes I am asked for advice regarding problems between dogs and cats. Owners often face the problem that the dog and cat in the house do not get used to each other and even become aggressive. What can be done or improved about it? Problem dog and cat;
I will never know the exact cause of the problem. In most cases I do not know the dog and/or the cat. I can offer some causes and solutions, but these are very general;
In most cases, the bad ratio between dogs and cats is due to poor socialization. If the two animal species have not come into contact with each other at a young age, there is always a chance that they will continue to exhibit anti-social behavior towards each other for the rest of their lives.
Cats are challengers. In some situations, when a dog and cat meet, the cat will usually run away quickly or jump onto a piece of furniture or other platform. There he waits for the reaction of his “adversary”. However, this behavior of the cat causes a kind of hunting drive in the dog. The other animal “flees” and the dog instinctively wants to chase it.
In other cases, the cat will approach the dog and make its back and tail high and thick to impress the “threat”. The dog sees this as a form of aggression and will often proceed to a “counter-attack”.
In the most positive case, the dog and cat will challenge each other in a non-aggressive way. However, they can be quite strong at each other.
In the latter case, I would advise the animals to get used to each other in a room, under the supervision of the owners. Have the animals find each other. But you have to supervise that they don’t romp too much with each other. A cat will use its nails and that can cause eye damage in the dog. However, let the animals get used to each other slowly. Usually after a few days they will accept each other and leave them alone.
In all other cases you only have 1 option, you have to educate and control the dog. You will need to be able to recall or calm the dog when a cat approaches or encounters a cat, for example on the street.
Unfortunately, we can teach cats little or nothing, as we are used to with a dog. The only way to train a cat to interact with dogs is to make sure that the animal is confronted with non-aggressive dogs. Release the cat in an area with a “cat-social” dog. Supervise and give the cat the opportunity to get used to the dog’s presence.
Repeat this every day. Build up slowly. The first day 5 minutes. The second day 15 minutes. Then an hour, then two hours, etc. etc.
There is never a guarantee, but this is the only way to get the cat used to the presence of a dog. Slowly build up habituation and make sure that the dog is a calm and social animal.
If you have any further questions, I’d love to hear them.
