Everyone is familiar with the rivalry of cats and dogs. There was even a movie made about it! Living in a house with cats and dogs and getting to coexist peacefully may seem impossible. There’s even a “trend” now where certain people fit either or of the two.

But if you’re Switzerland, loving and acceptable to both, there is a way to have your dog and cat live happily with each other! We’ve laid out some tips and tricks to help you get your dog and cat acquainted with each other and become best friends forever.

Opposites attract

Before you blend these two different companions, you should note their differences in order to judge how you’re going to blend them. 

Of course, animals don’t always fit into their stereotypes of being “lazy,” “adventurous,” or “energetic,” but sometimes they do. Typically, dogs are more playful and energetic while cats are independent and curious. 

Polar opposites, right? However, this isn’t the case for every cat or dog, it all depends on their personality! You may pick a cat that acts like the typical dog and vice versa, or you may end up with two “chill” animals. It all depends. 

But if you already have a dog or a cat and they fit these stereotypes, understanding these will help you gauge how your pets will best coexist happily. 

If your dog or cat exhibits aggressive behavior, as in, they are too possessive to interact with any new addition, you may not be able to add a companion to your fur-bunch. Safety is a top concern of all animals, including yourself. 

Blending the companions

If you are introducing a cat to a dog or vice versa, there are several tips to help you best accomplish this. 

The first is to start slow in the introduction process. You don’t want to overwhelm or scar your pet, because they are going to be scared when meeting someone new for the first time. 

So if you already have a dog or a cat, the best way to do this slowly is by bringing the addition into a room your current pet is in for a few minutes. Slowly build their interaction with one another and increase the amount of time you have them in the same room as each other. 

Have their toys in the room with them for them to play with, and keep an eye on how they interact with one another. If there is aggression or hostility, then separate them immediately. While this may be expected at first, it is not how it should always be. If your pets spend more time with each other, they may come to civil grounds. 

One of the second tips to keep in mind when blending cats and dogs is to consider which type, or breeds, you are combining. 

Some dogs are especially more welcoming than others. For example, dogs with hunting senses or dogs like German Shepherds and Boxers may not be the best to blend because they are more known for their aggression and protective senses. 

But dogs such as Golden Retrievers and some Labs that have kind spirits will take to cats better. 

Training is also a big portion of successful blending for dogs and cats to coexist happily, so think of this as a training process. You are training your animals to get along, kind of like children. 

In order for their behavior to be civil, they need to learn how to be civil. When it comes to dogs, we all know how they can be out of hand and uncontrollable without proper training. Their excitement can surely get the best of them, so before you introduce them to a stand-offish cat, your dog should be trained in concealing their excitement so they do not scare the cat. 

Train them how to be calm when they are going out of the house or see certain objects move. If your dog comes to learn these commands, then they should take kindly to your cat. 

Cats, on the other hand, need their space. They are very territorial and independent creatures, so in order for them to feel safe, they need to know they have a place to go. 

Establish an area that is strictly your cat’s so they know what is theirs for their comfort and safety. 

The final result

A perfect blend of opposites is definitely achievable if you present the opportunity correctly. It’s important that you keep in mind the tricks we have laid out for you for your fur-children to live happily, and to not expect quick results. 

Blending together two distinctly different animals like cats and dogs requires patience for them to develop the lifelong bond of being siblings under the same roof.