Raising Kitten & Puppy Pets Together

Millions of households across the country own pets. According to a 2016 survey, 68% of all households in the US had at least one pet. Millions of households own more than one pet. Chances that cats and dogs live in the same house are high.

Many people think cats and dogs are natural enemies and cannot live together peacefully. This notion, however, is wrong. It is all about how to train your pets and handle difficult situations.

If you want to know how to raise a kitten and a puppy together then you will not be disappointed. Here are some simple ways you can raise a kitten and a puppy together without any worries:

1. Sooner Train Pet  Cats Dogs the Better

If you wish to train your pets, it is always better to start when they are young. The sooner you start training them the better the results will be. Younger pets learn tricks much more quickly as their personality and habits are still in the developmental stage.

If you want to have a cat and dog as pets, try to adopt them as young as you can. Doing this will give them more time to become familiar with each other. Growing up together will also help your puppy and kitten get along more and create a stronger bond between them.

Starting young will likely make your pets feel more like siblings. They are more likely to be cooperative and compete less for your attention. It will also give them more time to adjust to one another.

According to the We Love Doodles website, socialization should start at 7 to 14 weeks for kittens and at 16 weeks for puppies. This means you can start young, especially with kittens.

2. Start Slow Getting Dog and Cat Together

Even if you adopt your kitten and puppy quite young, don’t expect that they won’t act out. Be prepared to handle conflicts, especially during the first few days with them. Be sure to introduce your kitten and puppy to one another.

Expecting them to become friends instantly is unrealistic and this has nothing to do with cats and dogs. Pets can be extremely possessive. You must communicate to both that they need to get along with each other.

One way that experts recommend you should go about this is by first offering each of the pets the other’s belongings. You can give your kitten or puppy the other pet’s blanket or toy. They will smell the personal belonging and become familiar with the scent first. This way the first face-to-face meeting will not be as surprising.

3. Be Vigilant All the Time

Even if you think your kitten and puppy are on good terms, you should remain alert. Pets can be unpredictable. Do not automatically assume if things are going well that nothing bad can happen.

Moods can change, especially as your pet grows up. Maybe a trigger will set either your kitten or puppy to become aggressive against the other pet. So, remain on your toes.

Pay attention to your kitten and puppy’s expressions. Get to know their likes and dislikes so you can ensure one does not feel left out.

4. Don’t Expect Dog and Cat Pets to Get Along

Do not expect that your pets will behave well or be nice to each other. Be ready to discipline and teach them to get along.

It will not be easy, but you need to enforce rules so that neither of the pets oversteps boundaries. You must teach your pets to co-exist and at least be civil to each other. If one of them acts out, be sure to punish them. Nevertheless, remember to appreciate every progress they make no matter how small.

5. Give Pet Dog and Cat Personal Space

Pets like to have their personal space. No matter how friendly your kitten or puppy may be, they enjoy alone time as well.

Let them have their own space. It can be a small corner of the house. You can have their bed or favorite blanket placed for relaxation there along with their toys of choice.

It is great that your pets know how to share. However, they should have a space that only belongs to themselves. This way your pets can relax away from each other and not get on each other’s nerves throughout the day.

6. Let Your Pet Know You Love Them        

Love your pets in front of each other. Cuddle your kitten in front of your puppy and vice versa. This way you are communicating what each of them means to you. Your kitten and puppy will know that you love them both.

However, be careful not to make your pets jealous while you’re loving one of them, as it can easily start a conflict between them. 

7. Bond over Mealtimes

If your kitten and puppy are not getting along at first, try to get them to co-exist during mealtimes. Pets are usually calmer during mealtimes. They will be too busy eating to become aggressive towards one another.

Pets, just like us, derive pleasure from eating. The satisfaction of having their tummies filled up will create a positive association with being near one another.

Alternatively, if your kitten or your puppy acts out during meals you can always take the food away shortly to discipline them. The act of having their meal taken away will act as a deterrent against bad behavior.

8. Do Your Research

The final piece of advice for anyone wishing to get a kitten and a puppy is to do some research. Some breeds of cats and dogs are more suited for living with other pets.

Dogs that are great hunters will not make great pets around cats. Instead, go for Beagles, Retrievers, or Poodles.

Similarly, cat breeds such as the Bengal, the Ragdoll, the Scottish Fold, and the Birman do well around dogs. Make sure none of your pets feels uncomfortable around the other.

Conclusion:

Now that you have gained plenty of knowledge on how to raise a kitten and puppy together, it is time to start the work. Good luck with raising your pets!