Relationships between pets. Is there friendship between cats and dogs?

Cat and dog: enemies or friends?

It is generally accepted that these animals are always on the verge of war among themselves. Cats live with a person in his house, and dogs live in the yard. As soon as they cross paths, a brawl breaks out. The fluffy beauty tries to hide in a secluded place, and the dog chases her. However, this is not always the case; friendship between cats and dogs still exists.

A person must remember that in nature these animals are hunters. The difference is that dogs chase everyone and are ready to rush even at a healthy elephant, but cats are more sophisticated and intelligent in nature - they will hunt down smaller prey that they really can handle. Cats are not afraid of dogs; they run away from them so as not to get involved. If a fluffy beauty or a fluffy handsome man has a desire, then they will grab the offender’s nose without regret.

Why does my cat meow at my dog?

Cats do not communicate with dogs by meowing. In fact, it's more likely that your cat is meowing at you. If your cat only does this when you are in the same room, then she is trying to tell you something. If your cat doesn't look at you when she meows, she may be trying to pay attention to the dog while she's calling you over. The cat senses that the dog is either intrigued or scared.

Likewise, your cat may not meow at all. Sometimes cats yap and it can sound like a very long meow. Growling usually means the cat is upset, so it's not a good sign. If a cat meows at a dog, it may be scared.

Cats don't meow at dogs because dogs communicate primarily through body language. However, people rarely pick up on body language cues. Cats understand that the best way to communicate with us is through vocalizations.

In the presence of a cat, dogs instinctively give certain signals, such as wagging their tail and raising their ears. Cats pick up on these signals and understand that communicating with dogs using body language is more convenient than meowing. There are times when a cat meows to communicate with a dog, but this is rare.

Can these animals live in the same house with humans?

Many people think that they will not live in the same room and that the friendship between cats and dogs will not work out. But it is not so. It all depends on the person. If he makes every effort, then everything will end well. There is no inherent enmity between them.

Nature has created it in such a way that these animals should not intersect with each other at all. They behave differently in the world around them, obtain food and rest differently. They express their feelings individually, which is why misunderstandings arise.

Cats love to walk by themselves. They are touchy and selfish. Even when living with a person in his house, they behave arrogantly, watching everything from above or from a distance. Dogs love a close relationship with their owner. They climb, wag their tail, bark, that is, they do everything to be noticed, praised and talked to.

By attacking the cat and knocking it over, they try to get to know each other. Dogs sniff it and bite it, thereby disturbing the cat’s space to the maximum. The cat runs away, and the dog, accordingly, follows it, as its hunting instinct manifests itself. A person who wants to have these animals at the same time is faced with the task of making efforts to ensure that the friendship of cats and dogs takes place in his home.

Postman cats

It is known that cats are good at remembering the way to home. In the 19th century in Belgium, cats were used as postmen. The letters were placed in bags that were hung around the pets' necks. The animals were supposed to deliver mail from the city to their home village.

37 cats were selected for work. The fastest of them returned home after 5 hours. The rest of the animals took about a day to deliver the letters. This experiment was soon stopped, but it once again demonstrates the high cat intelligence.

Tips for reconciling pets

In any case, you should adhere to the following rules:

1. At first, do not leave the animals alone and watch them.
2. Avoid situations in which the dog chases the cat. The animal perceives any escape from itself as hunting. In this case, you will have to forget about the friendship of cats and dogs.
3. In the first days, do not allow the animals to communicate frequently. Cats love to settle down alone. They will sniff everything and look for secluded corners in your home.
4. When you meet them, persuade the dog - do not let it react too violently to its new acquaintance. The cat must find a safe place for itself, from where it will watch the stranger until it gets used to it.
5. Distribute your warmth and affection equally to animals so that jealousy does not arise.
6. If you already have an adult cat and want to get a dog, then it is better to bring a young puppy into your home before the age of three months. Keep the cat away from the puppy for a while, he needs to get used to it, and she will watch her new acquaintance from afar. When he realizes that the cat is not dangerous, and she sees that the puppy is helpless, then, most likely, she will even take him under her wing and lick him like her own kitten.
7. Food should be given to animals at the same time, in the same room, but in different places. The cat will definitely try the dog's treat. She is curious by nature and will be interested in what if it tastes better there. At first, do not let her eat other people's food, but later they may eat from the same dishes.

Which cat should I get if I already have a dog, and vice versa?

Which cat to have in an apartment with a dog: 5 breeds

These purrs will make excellent company for your wet-nosed friend.

• Maine Coon

They are also called “ideal cats for dog lovers.” Not only does the Maine Coon get along well with dogs, he also behaves like a dog: he can fetch toys, imposingly walk with his owner on a leash, and learn commands. And the dimensions of these cats are quite large - just the size of an average dog. And the wet-nosed ones, in turn, recognize the mustachioed giant as one of their own and do not even try to compete with him.

• Siberian

Another big guy among the felines who gets along well with pets. And with dogs - first of all. The Siberian cat will not fight for the right to occupy a leading position; she would rather prefer peace and friendship.

It is worth noting that Siberians will only become bosom friends with their relatives and dogs. This breed cannot be kept in the same house with rodents, rabbits and birds. Or you will have to completely isolate the “hunter” from the “victims” so that they do not catch each other’s eyes.

• Abyssinian

The playfulness of the Abyssinian beauty allows her to become a wonderful friend for an equally active dog. At the same time, this is a balanced and even intelligent barbel, from whom you won’t have to expect any unpleasant surprises.

As in the case of the Maine Coon, Abyssinian cats also exhibit some canine habits: they will willingly fetch thrown objects and learn interesting commands. And there are legends about the devotion and loyalty of the Abyssinians.

• Ragdoll

This soft-bodied, good-natured cat is rightfully considered one of the calmest cat breeds. A Ragdoll will never show aggression or let out its claws. And if a child or a playful dog pesters him, the ragdoll will remain unperturbed. Most likely, this breed does not have conflicts with dogs precisely for this reason: ragdolls are too kind and to some extent lazy, and therefore do not try to teach their annoying neighbor a lesson. It's easier to wait out the onslaught.

• Burma

From childhood, Burmese grow up affectionate, intelligent and with good manners. They have developed empathy, so they will greet even a stranger with curiosity and without any fear. The sociality of the Burmese allows her to become part of any company, even the largest one. And we are talking not only about the company of people, but also animals. The affectionate beauty will find a common language with everyone.

Also, jealousy and a sense of rivalry are completely unknown in Burma. Therefore, a dog that has been caressed by its owner will not get hit in the face by a Burma with a clawed paw.

Don't forget that every pet is an individual. Any cat, even a purebred purr, can become an excellent companion for a dog.

What kind of dog to have in an apartment with a cat: 5 breeds

If you don’t know what kind of dog to get in an apartment with a cat, then pay attention to the breeds listed below. They will not engage in fierce battles with their mustachioed comrades - rather, on the contrary, they will sincerely love them.

• Boxer

This is just a boxer in appearance - a formidable and harsh beast, but inside he is a real sweetheart who wouldn’t hurt a fly. If a boxer is raised correctly, he will not touch not only a cat, but also a bird and a mouse. And these dogs love to play. Therefore, for an energetic cat, a boxer will be a wonderful playmate.

• Newfoundland

Newfies are considered one of the most suitable dogs that can be safely kept in the same home as a cat. The size of the cosmatic is, of course, gigantic, but he knows how to control himself. So you don’t have to be afraid that the big guy, in a fit of play, will send your cat flying with one wave of his paw. But this does not mean that four-legged friends can be left unattended, especially if the purr is still very small. Newfies, unfortunately, do not always see where they are sitting.

• King Charles Spaniel

All English dogs have royal manners, and the King is no exception. An intelligent dog gets along well with other pets and does not try to dominate or zealously attract the attention of its owner. It will be great if the king is accompanied by an equally peaceful and well-mannered cat. They will have a great time, warming each other in warm hugs.

• Retriever

Both the Labrador Retriever and the Golden Retriever are incredibly charming and friendly dogs. They adore people, even strangers, and are ready to lick everyone from head to toe. Their boundless love also extends to cats, which, by the way, is not always pleasant for cats. If an equally loving and sociable cat lives under the same roof with a retriever, then quarrels will certainly be avoided. Ideally, the ponytails will mutually adore each other.

• Chihuahua

A tiny dog ​​understands perfectly well that it is 2 or even 3 times smaller than a cat. Therefore, it simply makes no sense for her to claim a dominant position in the house. Cats do not see Chihuahuas as rivals, so most often they treat them indifferently or condescendingly.

But be careful - an aggressive and pugnacious cat can offend your baby. Therefore, a balanced and quiet cat is suitable as an ideal neighbor for a Chihuahua.

Most conflicts between cats and dogs occur not because they are “from different planets,” but because they have different temperaments. Dogs are usually cheerful, active and obsessive, while cats are independent, willful, and love solitude. If you choose breeds of cat and dog that are similar in character, they will probably not be at odds. But the owner needs to do something else for peace and order in the house. We'll talk about this further.

How to behave as an owner so that the cat and dog get along

The friendship of pets most often depends on the actions of the owner. If he behaves correctly, then even completely different four-legged animals can get along.

Follow these rules:

1. Be sure to train your dog, it must obey you unquestioningly. A dog is much easier to control than a cat, especially since most often it is the dog that can cause harm to its mustachioed roommate. You must stop the watchdog's actions in time and do it on command.
2. Affection and attention should always be divided equally for your charges. Often a puppy or kitten is brought into the house when there is already another adult pet in the house. Don’t forget about the “old man”, pay him more attention, otherwise he will be offended by the new family member and begin to be jealous.
3. Do not give toys from one pet to another, as this will provoke resentment.
4. If your pets start to fight, intervene immediately, but do not yell at them or hit them. Separate calmly but confidently.
5. Do not feed four-legged animals nearby. This is a lot of stress for each of them, because the presence of another animal nearby while eating awakens a sense of competition. It is better to give food in different rooms. At least for the first time.
6. Be sure to praise and give treats to your pets when they treat each other well: they lick each other, lie peacefully together, play kindly. This way you will reinforce positive behavior and the four-legged animals will have no reason to quarrel.
7. If a cat is annoyed by an overly active dog, then “wear out” the dog on a walk: let him spend all his energy so as not to bother the cat later. Take care of the purr’s peace of mind: give her a secluded place where she can rest alone from all of you, for example, on a closet or the highest shelf of a cat play set.
8. Keep both pets' nails trimmed regularly, even if they don't fight. This can happen at any moment.
9. Never encourage physical pressure or hunting of one four-legged animal on another, no matter how funny it may look. Puppies often play with cats' tails and try to bite them a little. Stop this behavior immediately, because the puppy will grow up, but the habits will remain.

A tailed family is not only happiness, but also a great responsibility. If you take into account the breed characteristics of your charges and adhere to the rules, then the cat and dog in your home will become best friends.

The article was written with the support of the Valta Academy of Pet Business.

Expert:
Vashchenko Lyudmila
is a veterinarian, a happy owner of Maine Coons, Sphynx and German Spitz.

How to understand that friendship has taken place?

If the animals already eat and sleep together, then the friendship between the cat and the dog has taken place. But do not forget that if your furry beauty falls in love with a new friend, then she will still treat all other dogs differently. If you see that the dog greets a new girlfriend or friend with a wagging tail, then he is in a positive position for further communication. Cats will come up with their own rules in relationships, and dogs will obey them.

A little time will pass and the cat will understand that sleeping next to a dog is warm and cozy. She will lie down next to her new friend, and all you have to do is give the same amount of love to both pets. If there is no jealousy, then there will be friendship between people, cats and dogs!

Why do dogs bark at cats?

Unlike cats, dogs communicate through both vocalizations and body language. Dogs have been with us since the time of hunter-gatherers, when they helped warn us of danger. This trait of barking to get our attention is a consequence of domestication. This is proven by the fact that wild wolves do not bark.

However, cats have not been properly domesticated, so their meows do not translate into communication between cats. Adult cats do not meow at each other. Therefore, your dog will most likely bark at your cat. This may be due to reasons such as:

• provoke the game
• threat
• warn about something
• expression of joy

Additionally, a puppy is more likely to communicate with a cat through barking than an adult dog. Dogs adapt better to cats' behavior. Once your dog learns that using body language is more effective when communicating with your cat, he may not bark as often.

The fate of a foundling

The period during which animals are most easily socialized is between 2 and 7 weeks of age for kittens, and between 3 and 8 weeks for puppies. In 1969, Michael Fox, now a renowned veterinarian, ethologist and writer, and then a postdoc at Washington University in St. Louis, became interested in what would happen if puppies and kittens began to communicate at this age. He provided them with such communication that it could not have been better: he took four Chihuahua puppies from their mothers and placed them one at a time in litters of cats, each containing 4-6 kittens ( Behaviour

, 1969, V. 35 (3–4)). The scientist did not choose the Chihuahua breed by chance - it is the smallest dog in the world, an adult weighs no more than three kilograms, and in this experiment the animals must be proportionate. There were no problems at the new location. A few hours later, the foundling puppies were already suckling their foster mother, and then, together with the kittens, they gradually switched to solid cat food (Fig. 1). The Chihuahuas lived with the cats until they were 16 weeks of age, after which they were returned to a dog environment with their peers. The kittens they grew up with were 5–7 days younger.

Rice.
1. The dog "Mowgli" in the cat family. Chihuahua puppy, twenty-six days old, suckles from its foster mother

Life among cats had such an impact on the development of the puppies that they were not ready for dog life: they did not play with their peers, did not bark at their reflection in the mirror, and did not show vigorous research activity inherent in puppies of this age. Only after two weeks did they get used to it and feel like dogs. But they were always friendly towards cats; when they met, they wagged their tails and invited them to play. Chihuahuas, deprived of a beneficial cat society in childhood, do not welcome cats, they chase them, bite them roughly, and force them to play.

For kittens, early exposure to one puppy changed their attitude toward all dogs. Cats raised with Chihuahuas indifferently perceive their approach and do not try to involve them in play, but graciously agree to the invitation to play. Kittens that have no experience of friendly relations with dogs are often afraid of them, never try to communicate with them and do not respond to invitations to play.

What should you avoid?

• It is advisable not to take an excitable dog into a house where a timid and fearful cat lives. In this case, the cat is guaranteed chronic stress and subsequent problems - both behavioral and health. And a “fun” life awaits you.
• You should not take a kitten to an older dog. Dogs become quite irritable in old age, as they often feel bad and are not ready for the advances of a young naughty person. Take pity on your faithful friend and protect him from such trials.
• It is not the best option to take a cat into a house where there is a dog with a strong hunting instinct. Such a neighborhood could end in tragedy.
• You should not bring into the house where a dog lives (or is planned) a cat that already has bad experience with dogs.

What is animal marking and registration?

Labeling an animal is assigning it a unique alphanumeric number, which is entered into the database of the Federal State Information System in the field of veterinary medicine.

“Marking is the application of visual or mixed (a combination of visual and electronic) means of marking to the body of an animal, affixing to the body of an animal, or introducing into the body of an animal and is the responsibility of animal owners,” the bill states.

Registering an animal is entering into the FSIS register information about its markings (its number), information about external characteristics, the purpose and method of keeping the animal and information about the owner.

Also Fr.

Who chooses the method of marking an animal, what type is it and how much does it cost?

The owner can choose how to mark the animal independently. Veterinary rules provide for the following types of labeling (the cost is indicated according to calculations of the Ministry of Agriculture):

• plastic tag (unit price - 14-20 rubles, cost of installation service - 50-70 rubles);
• subcutaneous microchip (price - 90-140 rubles, installation - 50-100 rubles);
• electronic bolus - capsule (price - 50-200 rubles, administration - 100-150 rubles);
• tattooing and branding - branding (price - 200-500 rubles; application - price not specified);
• ring (price - 5-10 rubles, ringing - 20-50 rubles);
• collar (price - 150-250 rubles).

The likelihood of artificial techniques

Even the work of geneticists in this area has not brought positive results.
Scientists often “play around” with genetics, making yet another attempt to deceive nature and mate different types of mammals. When trying to fertilize an egg artificially with the help of a sperm, there is a possibility of obtaining a viable individual, which is called a chimera. Its survival rate is low, but there is still a chance. For example, chimeras were obtained by crossing a sheep and a goat; out of 20 heads, only two survived, the rest of the embryos died in the womb. The important thing is that these were closely related species of animals, and cats and dogs are much further apart at the genetic level. However, there are also inexplicable exceptions when a cat gives birth to a puppy. This phenomenon is referred to as a mutation or gene error.

Crossed species bred artificially cannot reproduce further even when copulating with the original individuals, since they are considered sterile.

What is the essence of the Animal Labeling Bill?

The bill introduces technical amendments to replace the term “identification” with the term “labeling”. It is also noted that in order to ensure veterinary safety in the country, all information about animals, including domestic ones, will be contained in a single database of the Federal State Information System in the Field of Veterinary Medicine (FSIS).

“Animals are subject to individual or group marking and registration in order to prevent the spread of contagious animal diseases, as well as to identify the sources and routes of spread of pathogens of contagious animal diseases,” the bill says.

As follows from the explanatory note, animal labeling is needed primarily for traceability of livestock products. And also for quickly identifying the source of an outbreak of diseases, which are often common in animals and people.

When do they want to start mandatory animal labeling? More details

Currently, the bill contains a list of 14 types of farm animals. According to statistics, this is more than 600 thousand individuals. Among them:

• cattle;
• pigs;
• sheep and goats;
• horses;
• donkeys;
• mules and hinnies;
• camels;
• reindeer;
• Domestic bird;
• rabbits;
• fur animals;
• bees;
• fish;
• other aquatic animals.

Friendship between a huge Newfoundland and a kitten

There have always been dogs in my house, big shaggy Newfoundlands. And so, when my newfie Noira was preparing to become a mother for the second time, they brought us a long-awaited kitten of the Siberian breed, which we named Zaster. Noira gave birth to 2 puppies and after a couple of days I noticed that not two, but three furry balls were actively sucking milk. There was a kitten lying in the middle between the puppies. We kept our son, Noir, and Zaster and Tsentik grew up together. Their antics could be watched endlessly. And now, many years later, we remember this wonderful time when we could see the true friendship of dogs and cats.