Social media has a good way of painting images far different from how they appear in real life. It’s the same way you see a cute picture of a German shepherd and a kitten snuggled together looking so adorable. It’s very cute but not what it seems.
Many homes that have both cats and dogs living together usually have a little bit of chaos here and there and it can be actually worse and more stressful if your dog wants to eat your cat.
Wait! Why do dogs want to eat cats? Different dogs have different personalities and a lot of dogs may actually be desensitized to other pets in the house like the cat. However, some dog owners try behavior modifications so that their dog can coexist peacefully with the cat.
Behavior modification method
Before you begin, you have to know your dog’s prey drive. Some dogs enjoy chasing animals as long as they are bigger than them. These animals could include hamsters, squirrels, rats, and also cats.
More so, another reason your dog may be chasing your cat frequently is that he is playing. This kind of play stresses your cat and you will need to stop it immediately.
As such, you will have to observe and understand the natural body language of your cat and dog so that you can know when your dog is playing or being aggressive towards your cat.
For instance, you can tell that your cat is frightened and intimidated if you see its ears pinned back and tail swishing.
Assess Personalities and history
Two key factors that affect the relationship between your cat and dog are:
- Personality
- History
Take into consideration these questions:
- What is the history between your dog and cat?
- Are they new to your home?
- Did you adopt them from a shelter at different times?
- Is there an age difference between the dog and the cat?
- Is one new to your home?
- Are any of the animals exhibiting territorial dominance?
Answering these questions can determine if your dog and cat can coexist in your home peacefully.
Behavior modification methods you can use
Below are some training methods you can try out so that your dog and cat can live happily together:
Manage their first introduction
While it may seem like a joke, pets get one chance at a first impression. Just like humans, pets can judge whether or not they like another animal from the first time meeting them.
When you bring home a new pet, ensure that you plan the first meet and greet carefully. Take for instance, if you just got a kitten and you already have a puppy at home, you can keep the dog in a crate or in another room and allow your kitten to adjust to its new environment first.
Once your cat gets comfortable with its surroundings as well as the other humans (if any) in the house, you can now introduce the cat to your dog.
Wait for a few days and then let your kitten and puppy sniff Aeschylus other through the door. You can also exchange their favorite tips and blankets so they can get familiar with each other’s scents.
The Formal Introduction
This is a very important step which you carry out with care. If your dog has been carefully trained, then you can leave your pup in the crate in a room and leave the cat out in that same room.
While standing near your dog, give both the cat and the dog delicious treats and observe how they both behave around each other. Look out for mild curiosity, tension, or if they simply ignore each other.
Another option would be to let them meet each other with a baby gate to deprecate both of them. If your dog can keep over the gate, you may need a much bigger one.
To avoid terrifying the cat, you can keep the dog on a leash and give them treats continuously. This can give your cat time to run off if it is scared. On the other hand, your dog will associate meeting your cat with receiving delicious treats.
Provide a Safe Space
You can provide a safe spot for your cat to hide away and relieve itself of any form of stress in and in the absence of your dog. This can be in the form of a special kitty shelf or the top of a bureau.
By preparing a few high spaces in your home, your cat can easily leap into a shelf and watch your dog from the top. This makes them feel in charge of their own safety and with this, they may begin to accommodate the dog over time.
Train Basic Commands
Basic commands such as “sit”, “stay” and “leave it” are important things your dog must learn. Once your dog has learned these instructions very well, test them by reinforcing these commands when they are distracted. That way, you can remain confident that your dog will always follow the commands.
High-Value Treats
If you make a habit of giving your dog nice treats and praising your dog whenever it is around your cat, your dog will believe that it should continue to stick around your cat to get more yummy rewards.
High-value treats don’t come easy for dogs and they only come when they have done something exceptionally good. With small bites of cheese, ham, hot dogs, and chicken, you can keep your dog’s attention.
As long as your dog responds to the basic commands and the treats, endeavor to give your dog a nice treat once your cat is close to him. Not only will it learn to form a good relationship with your cat, but it also will not think of exhibiting any aggressive behavior towards your cat.
FAQs
Do dogs see cats as prey?
Most dogs view cats as prey. This behavior is referred to as predatory aggression. Basically, some dogs with a very strong prey drive place cats and other smaller animals in the same category and hunt them down.
Why do dogs want to eat cats?
Most dogs view cats as more of a toy and love chasing them. However, dogs rarely eat cats unless they’re starving.
Why is my dog so obsessed with the cat?
If your dog has a strong prey drive, she might become very focused on the cat.