Excited about the idea of raising a puppy and kitten together in the same home? While you'll definitely have years worth of love and cuddles, this is also a significant responsibility. Our Queens vets share advice on what to consider when choosing your four-legged friends.
Are two pets better than one?
Most of us can agree that one puppy or kitten is adorable. So, bringing two of them home must make for even cuter and sweeter moments, right? While this can certainly ring true, raising a puppy and kitten in the same home isn't always as simple as you might think.
Though puppies and kittens can quickly bond and provide companionship when raised together, the three of you may still experience some initial challenges. Additionally, there's a sad risk that an adult dog may view a cat as prey.
In this post, our vets will explain how to avoid this by preparing your puppy and kitten for success and a long, happy life together from the day you welcome them home.
What are the best dog breeds to raise with a cat?
There are several practices you can implement when introducing. your two young pets to each other, but one way you can help foster a good relationship between your puppy and kitten is to think about the breed and temperament of the puppy before you start to search for one.
This is because your puppy's breed and temperament will impact the success of the relationship between the two, more than the kitten's temperament.
All dogs have a natural hunting instinct that's often reflected in their play, whether they are chasing a ball or tugging a rope. Some puppies find it fun to play with dog toys that have squeakers because the squeaking sounds resemble those of injured or dying prey,
The hunting instinct will vary among different breeds. If your puppy is of a breed that's known to have a strong prey drive, you may notice behavioral issues from the beginning. Even if your dog and cat initially get along well, a dog's strong instinct to hunt can become more apparent as he grows, causing it to chase the cat as if it were prey.
Breeds including cattle dogs, huskies, beagles, Shiba Inus, malamutes, terriers, and dobermans have notrously high prey drives. If your puppy is one of or mixed with any of these breeds, you'll likely need to closely monitor their prey drive when raising them with your kitten.
How do I raise a puppy and kitten together?
In addition to being cautious about the breed of dog you choose, there are many strategies you can employ to introduce your two pets to one another, if you intend to raise a puppy and kitten together. These tips can help you set them up for success, reduce the risk of the two competing for your attention, and ensure they feel secure enough to enjoy each other's companionship.
Introduce Them Slowly
While introducing your puppy and kitten early in their lives is a great start to helping them get used to one another, how you introduce them is important too!
When introducing your kitten and puppy to one another, make sure they can see one another, but each has their personal space too. Setting them up in connected rooms with a baby gate between them can be an excellent start.
Expect lively interactions when introducing your pets. If your kitten hisses and spits at the dog, it's just setting boundaries with the unfamiliar, potentially intimidating, animal. These first meetings aim to encourage positive responses or even indifference. If your puppy and kitten are relaxed and engage in their activities near each other, they will likely get along safely and comfortably. Once your pets are comfortable with each other, your puppy and kitten will be sleeping together peacefully and playing in no time.
Dedicate Time To Training Your Pup
Working on your puppy's obedience is always important, but it is even more important than usual when being raised with a kitten!
It is important to ensure your dog understands commands such as Sit, Stay, Stop, and Leave. However, if your puppy becomes too physical with your kitten, becomes overly excited in their presence, or begins to stalk or chase them, these commands can be critical in snapping your puppy out of it and teaching them what is and isn't acceptable when it comes to your cat.
Managing Your Pet's Time Together
Another thing to consider when raising a puppy and kitten is how closely you must manage and monitor their time together. You'll be able to tell as you watch their relationship develop, but depending on your puppy and kitten's personalities, you might want to try any of the following:
- Set up safe areas of your home for each pet to be alone if they would like. This can include teaching each of your pets to stay out of the other's space, getting your puppy a crate, or setting aside the upstairs or basement for one pet or the other.
- Avoid having your dog and cat in the house alone together. You can crate your dog when you need to leave the house for a long or close off part of your home with one of them in it to avoid confrontations.
- Avoid having your puppy and kitten eat at the same time or in the same place. Some dogs are very protective of their food and may get confrontational with your kitten, even if the kitty was only sniffing the interesting food their sibling is eating.
Veterinary Care for Puppies & Kittens in Queens
Soon after you bring your puppy and kitten home for the first time, they'll need to visit a veterinarian to have their first physical exam and vaccinations. During this initial visit, your vet will check both of your young four-legged friends for any health issues or parasitic infections, and implement a vaccine schedule based on each pet's specific needs.
Our vets are here to guide you and offer any advice you'll need as your puppy and kitten develop. Please do not hesitate to call our animal or book a consultation if you have questions about your pets' health and development, when they should be spayed or neutered, or other topics.
Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition, please make an appointment with your vet.