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DTPR JULY THROUGH AUGUST 2025 / PET CARE
Photography by: Eric Isselée
Why Dogs and Cats Clash
Before we can teach harmony, it helps to understand why
these species often struggle to get along.
Dogs are generally pack animals; many see new creatures
as potential playmates—or threats—depending on their
temperament and socialization. Cats, on the other hand,
are territorial and easily stressed by change. Their fight-or-
flight instinct kicks in quickly, especially when faced with an
exuberant dog.
According to a 2020 study published in the journal PLOS
ONE, cats and dogs that grow up together from a young age
are more likely to tolerate or even enjoy each other’s company.
But even adult pets can adapt if introduced thoughtfully and
trained with patience.
Start with the Right Match
The process of building interspecies friendship often begins
before you even bring a new pet home.
Experts at the Humane Society recommend considering
both animals’ personalities:
•
Choose a calm, cat-friendly dog rather than a high-prey-
drive breed if you already have a cat.
•
Confident or dog-experienced cats generally adapt better
to canine roommates than shy or skittish cats.
Age also matters. Puppies and kittens raised together often
become playmates, but a mature cat may struggle with a
boisterous young dog. Likewise, a senior dog might prefer a
calm adult cat rather than a kitten climbing curtains at 2 a.m.
Art of the Introduction
First impressions are critical. The
American Society for the Prevention of
Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) recommends
starting slowly and safely:
Keep pets separate at first. Confine
your new arrival to a single room. Let
each pet adjust to the other’s scent by
swapping bedding or toys.
Controlled meetings. Use a sturdy
leash for your dog and keep the cat free
to move—or retreat. Let them see each
other from a distance, offering treats
and calm praise to reinforce positive
feelings.
Short and sweet. Limit their initial
encounters to just a few minutes. End
on a positive note, even if that means
separating them before tension escalates.
Over days or weeks—depending on
the pets’ reactions—gradually increase
the length & proximity of these sessions.