The Maine Coon is one of the largest domestic cats, second only to the huge Savannah. Moreover, representatives of this breed are perfect for keeping even in small apartments.
Tassels on the ears, a muzzle with a “box” characteristic only of Maine Coons, powerful paws and impressive size give them some resemblance to a lynx. The brutal appearance sometimes gives a deceptive impression: people who are not too familiar with this beautiful breed mistakenly believe that such cats are independent and have a stern disposition. In fact, according to reviews from breeders and owners, everything is exactly the opposite - these gentle animals are completely alien to aggression, they are deeply attached to humans and, in most cases, are gentle and reverent towards children.
If you have long dreamed of having a representative of the feline family live in your home, but can’t make a choice, we suggest you think about this breed. Read all about what a Maine Coon looks like, what you should pay attention to when buying a kitten, and how to properly care for noble giants .
History of the breed
There are several legends surrounding the origin of Maine Coons, some of which are more comical than plausible.
So there are originals who confidently claim that the breed came from crossing a domestic cat with a raccoon, or even with a lynx. In their opinion, the similarity with the first ones is indicated by the presence of a long tail and stripes on the skin, and from their wild cat counterparts they allegedly inherited the famous tassels on the ears and impressive dimensions. It goes without saying that versions of interspecific crossing of different animals do not and cannot have anything to do with reality, since this is impossible from a biological point of view.
Another beautiful legend says that these cats were inhabitants of the mysterious Atlantis, and after the mythical continent sank, several individuals who managed to survive ended up in America, and some in Russia, becoming the ancestors of Siberian cats.
It is also rumored that the ancestors of Maine Coons were favorites of the notorious wife of Louis XIV, Marie Antoinette , who, knowing about the upcoming bloody massacre, planned to escape to America by ship. Alas, fate decreed otherwise, and the queen was executed, but her pets managed to cross the ocean on a ship carrying the unfortunate woman’s valuables, and quite successfully took root on the newly discovered continent.
A more plausible version is that modern Maine Coons descended from the Norwegian Forest, brought to America by the harsh Vikings long before its discovery by Columbus. These breeds do have some external similarities, but this theory has not received scientific confirmation.
In fact, most researchers and felinologists agree that the origin story of our heroes is much more prosaic. If you are distrustful of artificially bred breeds, then the Maine Coon is simply created for you, since it is the most aboriginal.
The distant ancestors of today's furry giants, so beloved around the world, are, in all likelihood, the indigenous inhabitants of the lands in the northeastern United States, namely Maine. The name of the breed consists of two words. The first part is a geographical name indicating the original habitat of the ancestors of modern Maine Coons, and the second is a derivative of “racoon”, which means “raccoon” in English. This combination was invented by a woman named Linda Choate , who is considered the ancestor and first breeder of Maine Coons to engage in their selection at a professional level. The owner of Tarbox Farm in New England turned her attention to the outstanding appearance and high intelligence of aboriginal cats. As a result of persistent breeding work, Linda managed to obtain the first representatives of the breed.
However, the favorites of the first settlers still owe most of their qualities to natural selection. The first inhabitants of these places were not particularly remarkable in size and generally resembled ordinary Europeans. However, the harsh cold climate, as well as crossing with representatives of long-haired breeds, contributed to the fact that each new generation of kittens acquired thicker and longer hair, which protected them from the cold, piercing winds and snow. To survive in extreme conditions, hunt large rodents and fight with their own kind for territory and food, animals required remarkable physical strength, endurance and outstanding mental abilities. As a result, nature rewarded the Maine Coon's great-grandfathers with a strong long body, powerful high paws, a developed chest, a massive head, a warm coat and a high level of intelligence. All these qualities made aboriginal cats the main assistants of local farmers. People quickly appreciated the excellent hunting qualities and unpretentiousness of giants.
The first Maine Coon to take part in exhibitions was a cat with the complex nickname Captain-Jenks-of-the-Sea-Cavalry. A significant event happened in 1861, and the public immediately liked the outstanding external characteristics of the spectacular cat.
However, later the attention of cat lovers switched to other furry owners of exotic appearance - Persians. Maine Coons were undeservedly forgotten, but, fortunately, enthusiasts managed to preserve and improve this unique breed, which was again remembered in its homeland after the end of World War II. In 1953, the official Maine Coon Breeders Club was created and registered, and in 1968 these amazing cats acquired their own Maine Coon Breeders and Fanciers Association. Europeans were less fortunate - they learned about the Maine raccoon cat only 20 years later.
Over the past few decades, these intelligent and noble creatures have won the love of “cat lovers” around the world, and now this breed is deservedly one of the most popular in the world.
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Difficulties in communication between cats and dogs
Different representatives of the animal world are creatures with different mentalities and views on the surrounding reality. Therefore, difficulties in communication are inevitable for them.
Reasons for enmity
Cats and dogs have almost opposite temperaments and specific behavior patterns. This is due to the fact that the animals belong to different families of predators.
Since ancient times, canines have been gregarious individuals, but representatives of the cat family, on the contrary, preferred solitude. Therefore, the dog’s obsessive displays of friendliness and curiosity will seem like an interference in personal space or a danger to the cat.
Canines also hunted cats, since the latter were smaller and, accordingly, represented relatively easy prey. This instinct persists for many millennia.
In addition, pets associate a person with a leader and are afraid of losing his attention and affection. The new member of the household is a competitor, because of which the previous inhabitant of the apartment or house receives less affection and care.
Is it possible to make pets friends?
Despite differences in habits and character, pets can become good friends. True, you will have to overcome a large number of difficulties, which only the owner can cope with.
In order for new neighbors to show love or at least respect for each other, the situation should not be left to chance in the first days of acquaintance. Only competent actions of the owner and taking into account the characteristics of the pets will help to establish good and friendly relations.
What does a real Maine Coon look like?
Perhaps everyone who has even a vague idea of felinology has heard that these are one of the largest domestic cats, but not everyone knows what a true Maine Coon looks like. We'll figure out.
So the Maine Coon is a cat that boasts above average size. The length of the body from the nose to the tip of the tail can reach 120 cm, and the height at the withers is 42 cm.
The question of how much a Maine Coon weighs often causes heated debate. On the Internet you can find reviews from owners who talk about giants weighing almost 30 kg, but in reality, of course, no one has seen such miracles.
The weight of an adult cat of normal build, not suffering from obesity, varies from 7 to 12 kg. Due to their physiological characteristics, cats are more miniature, but still significantly heavier than representatives of other breeds. The mustachioed “lady”, as a rule, weighs from 4 to 8 kg. It is not surprising that the dimensions of these animals in the photo look impressive even in comparison with an adult, not to mention a child.
The given standards are average, and among Maine Coons there are sometimes real record-breaking giants. A handsome man named Omar from Melbourne, Australia, was even included in the Guinness Book of Records for his impressive size. This hero weighs like a medium-sized dog - as much as 14 kg, and the length of his body is 120 cm. Omar's owners say that their pet was a completely ordinary kitten, but by the time he was a year old he had grown to 10 kg. Considering that Maine Coons grow up to three years old, even at such a young age it was clear that the owners got an outstanding specimen.
Stewie the cat, a champion in length, lived in the breed's homeland in Reno, Nevada. The length of his body was a little more than 130 cm. Unfortunately, he lived only eight years, but his death had nothing to do with his size - the animal suffered from cancer.
Our country also has its own giant. His name is Garfield, and he lives in Moscow. The Muscovite's weight is 13 kg and length is 117 cm.
But let's return from exceptions to norms and talk about what a typical representative of the breed looks like. Maine Coons have a long body, shaped like a rectangle, with well-developed muscles and a wide chest.
The paws are high, powerful, round. Tufts of fur may grow between the pads of the toes, a reminder of survival in the snow and harsh climate of North America.
The neck is of medium length and covered with thick hair. Especially among breeders, the presence of a rich collar, similar to a lion's mane, is appreciated, although not required. On the back and sides the coat is longer and coarser than on the belly and “pants”. It has water-repellent properties and it is not so easy to wet the thick undercoat, which creates the effect of a thermos.
The head has a somewhat elongated shape, which is also a consequence of the evolution of the breed. Thanks to the elongated snout, excellent rat catchers easily caught prey even from hard-to-reach burrows. In males it is much larger. The muzzle should be full, well defined and box-shaped. Its structure resembles that of a tiger or lion. The “strong-willed” chin gives the representatives of the breed a characteristic brutal appearance.
The eyes are wide-set, slightly slanted, very expressive. The color of the iris varies from yellow to green. Blue or multi-colored eyes are only acceptable for white coats.
Large ears with dense cartilage, wide at the base and ending in tassels are another distinctive feature of the breed.
The breeders are especially proud of their long fluffy tail, which can reach up to 36 cm and is equal to the length of the body. Its fur is flowing, thick and dense. In the wild, the tail did an excellent job of protecting against cold and wind - animals wrapped it around their body and thus warmed up faster. In domestic cats, there is no need for an additional source of heat, but this part of the body is involved in the process of coordinating movements.
The listed characteristics help to distinguish a purebred Maine Coon from a mestizo and cats of similar breeds, for example, Siberian.
Coons are distinguished by a wide variety of colors. The classic ones, on which the others are based, are black (black marble), red (for the common man - red), blue (in other words - gray) and cream. Pure color without a pattern is rare and is called “solid”.
If you see the term “tabby” in the description of a kitten, this means that the color has stripes. This coloring is also called marble for its similarity with the pattern inherent in this material. Wide spiral stripes on the sides look very elegant. If we are talking about the so-called ticked tabby, then in this case the stripes are visible only on the paws, chest and/or muzzle, and not throughout the body.
In smoky representatives, the tips of the hairs are painted black or gray, which looks very impressive, especially in movement, when the animal’s skin literally shimmers.
If you love the tortoiseshell color, characterized by a combination of multi-colored spots, then you need to keep in mind that it is characteristic only of female animals, while cats are not characterized by the presence of more than two colors. By the way, there is a belief that such colorful cats bring happiness, luck and prosperity to their owners’ homes.
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Introduction and subsequent meetings
The choice of dating method depends entirely on the age of the animals living nearby. However, there are general rules that will help make the first meeting and subsequent living together within the same apartment or house more comfortable:
There is no need to rush to introduce animals to each other. A new member of the household needs to get used to foreign smells and unfamiliar surroundings.
At the time of introduction, it is better to keep the cat in a carrier and the dog on a leash. This way they will smell each other, but will not be able to injure each other.
During the first weeks, animals should not be left in the same room unattended. If the owner needs to leave on business, the pets are seated in different rooms.
Making friends with pets that are different in behavior and character is very difficult. Only care, affection and patience will help a person cope with this task.
Who are polydacts?
In some litters, polydactic kittens are sometimes born. They differ from their classic relatives by the presence of an additional finger, which can be on both the front and hind limbs. It should be especially noted that breeders have nothing to do with this phenomenon. The appearance of the sixth toe, like the entire breed as a whole, is a consequence of natural origin. It is believed that this paw structure allowed the distant ancestors of the coons to move more easily through deep, loose snow and hunt large rodents. Connoisseurs of the breed say that up to half of all cats - the ancestors of modern Maine Coons - were polydactics.
For modern cats, of course, these functions are not relevant, but the sixth toe makes the paw visually wider and more massive, which attracts some potential owners who are specifically looking for kittens with such an unusual “defect,” especially since there is an opinion that such pets are their their appearance brings happiness to the house. This superstition has its roots in the distant past, when sailors setting off on long and dangerous voyages believed that shipwrecks avoided those ships on which six-toed cats sailed with people.
Polydactyly does not affect the well-being or health of animals, but those who dream of an exhibition career must take into account the fact that not all felinological organizations recognize the owners of this mutation and it will be impossible to obtain a champion title with such a cat.
Interesting fact! In 1935, a captain gave Ernest Hemingway an unusual six-toed Maine Coon kitten. The snow-white baby was named Snowball, and he became the favorite of the famous writer. Subsequently, several cats always lived in the house of the Nobel Prize winner in literature on the island of Key West in Florida. The tradition is still alive today. About 50 tailed descendants of Snowball live in the Ernest Hemingway House-Museum, and tourists from all over the world come to meet them. It is curious that the writer often gave his four-legged friends nicknames in honor of celebrities. This tradition exists to this day, which is why Audrey Hepburn, Sophia Loren, Charlie Chaplin and Pablo Picasso “live” on the island of Key West.
The pets are allowed to roam freely in all rooms and the garden, and three lucky ones are even allowed to sleep on Hemingway's favorite bed. There is also a cemetery for animals on the territory, where the previous inhabitants who have passed on are buried.
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Intelligence
The appearance of Maine Coons fully corresponds to their intelligence. These cats are true contemplators and are no strangers to long thoughts. They are distinguished by a high ability for logic, consistency and enviable intelligence. These cats are capable of non-standard, meaningful actions.
Maine Coon cats do not need to be separated from their kittens even at the moment of their birth. The males of this amazing breed of large cats are most actively involved in raising their offspring, like responsible fathers.
Representatives of the Maine Coon breed have an enviable memory. They remember individual words and entire commands perfectly. Maine Coons perceive the intonations with which a person communicates and react to them unmistakably. Thanks to this, you can establish real friendly contact with Maine Coons.
Maine Coon character
Despite their impressive, almost “lynx-like” size and the stern expression on their brutal faces, which give these cats a resemblance to their wild relatives, Maine Coons are one of the most benevolent creatures in the world. Aggression and vindictiveness are absolutely not inherent in these good-natured giants. A Maine Coon will never allow himself to pee in your slippers or ruin your bed. Representatives of this breed are intelligent from birth. Torn furniture and wallpaper or problems with the toilet are not about them.
The Maine Coon's character and behavior are often compared to those of a dog. These cats treat all family members equally favorably, but they will choose one person as the leader of the “pack”, whom they will follow closely, without annoying or bothering with excessive attention. Wherever you are, the cat will be nearby. It must be kept in mind that these animals do not tolerate loneliness and separation from their owners well, so leaving them alone for a long time is not a good idea.
At the same time, Maine Coons are full of self-esteem and have difficulty enduring “personal violence” when they are squeezed or grabbed against their will. The animal will endure violent manifestations of love until the last moment and, most likely, will not scratch or bite, but will certainly try to break free and leave. And most coons are not at all enthusiastic about sitting on laps (which is rather an advantage, given the considerable size of these cats), but they are always ready to comfortably sit next to their beloved owner and purr loudly.
Coons treat strangers neutrally - without fear, with a degree of curiosity, but also without ingratiation. These cats always evoke the sincere delight of others and the desire to communicate with them closer, but they will never hang around your feet and fawn on your guests, no matter how much they might want it. If a person comes to the house often, then over time the animal will get used to it and will take his visits for granted.
In various descriptions of the breed, you can often find the statement that representatives of this breed are silent, and instead of the usual cat meow, they make peculiar sounds similar to purring. Judging by the reviews of the owners, this is not always the case, and it is possible that you, like the author of this article, will come across a very talkative specimen.
Maine Coons have a relatively calm temperament and are not prone to destruction. But young animals, of course, love to frolic and run around. Future owners need to understand that due to its impressive dimensions, outdoor games often unwittingly end in destruction, so it is better to remove fragile things and flower pots in advance.
Coons are very smart, inquisitive, easily adapt to the lifestyle of their owners and get along well with children and other animals. With patience and persistence, they can be taught some commands. The main thing is to do everything in the form of a game and in such a way that it is interesting, first of all, to your pet.
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Learn to swim
Is it possible to train a Maine Coon to bathe? Yes it is possible. In order to teach your pet to be in the water and to swim, you need his favorite toy and treat.
Pour some water into the bath. We show the cat a toy and throw it into the water in front of his eyes. We take the pet in our arms, put it in the water, and start playing with the toy. Is the cat interested in the game? We treat him, praise him and continue playing.
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When the pet gets used to being in water, its amount can be gradually increased. Eventually the Maine Coon will want to swim and will begin to take the necessary actions to do so.
How to raise a truly big cat and what determines the size of a Maine Coon
Perhaps everyone who chooses a representative of this breed as a pet secretly or openly dreams that the kitten will grow into a huge cat weighing at least 10 kilograms. It’s no secret that Maine Coons are often purchased precisely because of their outstanding dimensions.
It is impossible to say for sure in advance whether the touching baby will grow into a giant, but nevertheless there are still a number of factors that can play a decisive role in the animal’s appearance. These include:
- genetics. Large parents are more likely to produce similar offspring. Therefore, before buying a kitten, or even better at the stage of planning the mating, it is advisable to get to know the baby’s mother and father. Moreover, look at both of them live, and not in photographs, from which it is difficult to judge the exterior, especially if the person is not a professional and is familiar with the breed from descriptions on the Internet;
- gender Please note that cats are always larger. Cats are distinguished by a more elegant and graceful physique;
- good breeder. You need to be extremely careful when choosing a nursery from which to adopt a new family member, since the appearance and, most importantly, the health of the future pet depends on how responsibly the owner of the parents treats his business. A competent breeder is not just an amateur who bought animals of different sexes and began to cross them to produce offspring for sale, but a professional and enthusiast of his business, conducting serious breeding work. With the right approach, you will definitely be invited to visit to meet and communicate with the animals, as well as look at the conditions of their detention;
Important! Maine Coons are late maturing cats. Kittens of this breed should not be separated from their mother early. A normal breeder will never give up a baby before 3-3.5 months. So you’ll have to wait a little, but then you’ll get an absolutely adequate, well-socialized animal trained in all the wisdom of a cat.
- proper care and feeding. And already at the stage of pregnancy of the cat. Be sure to ask the breeder what the expectant mother ate and whether she was given any medications. A conscientious breeder will not hide this information from the potential owner, since he is more interested than anyone in ensuring that the kitten ends up in good, caring hands.
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What to feed
The basis of the Maine Coon's diet should be offal and meat. Before giving them to your cat, these products must be boiled or very deep frozen. Otherwise, meat and offal may contain helminths. The Maine Coon will happily eat poultry.
There is no need to grind food for these large predators. They need to tear and chew their food. You can add variety to your Maine Coon's diet with boiled fish, seafood, cottage cheese and eggs. It is strictly forbidden to feed the Maine Coon pork, lamb, raw fish, or milk. You should not give your animal tubular bones, as their fragments can injure the insides of the cat.
Content
The Maine Coon is not an ordinary breed. Due to their physiological characteristics, they require somewhat higher maintenance costs than cats of more modest sizes.
When planning to get a little coon, many people wonder how much kittens cost. Prices for purebred animals from good nurseries start from 20 thousand rubles (if you are very lucky) and can reach 100 thousand and above - depending on the title of the parents and the objectives pursued by the buyer. Naturally, a kitten of the so-called pet class, which is destined to become just a pet, will cost several times less than a candidate for a successful exhibition career, although both of them can ultimately grow into luxurious giants with outstanding breed characteristics.
However, it is not enough just to buy a kitten from wonderful parents, even for a lot of money. The main thing is to provide him with decent care and maintenance.
Representatives of this breed feel great both in a city apartment and in a country house. Of course, the second option is ideal due to more free space and the ability to regularly breathe fresh air. If you live in your own home, your number one task is to provide a safe walk for your pet. Despite their impressive size and harsh appearance, these cats are completely unsuited to life on the street and will not be able to protect themselves in case of danger. They are not very agile, and they don’t know how to fight at all. The times when they protected North American farms from rodents are long gone, and the modern Maine Coon is a friendly companion, not a cunning and resourceful hunter. The best thing you can do for your four-legged mustachioed friend is to build a spacious enclosure, closed on all sides, with access directly from the house. Place logs and branches of various configurations and sizes inside, and your pet’s gratitude will know no bounds. Such a walking area will provide your pet with the necessary amount of fresh air and sun, and will also satisfy the need for games and movement.
If you are not the happy owner of your own house in the village, then it is quite possible to provide a coon with decent living conditions in a city apartment, but with reservations regarding the dimensions of the new home. Maine Coons have a calm and balanced character, but the kittens are not averse to frolicking, and if you take into account the fact that they remain kittens for up to three years, and their weight by the year can reach 10 kg, then it becomes clear that everything is easily breakable and represents It is better to remove artistic value away.
Also, do not forget to protect your inquisitive pet from falling - never open windows wide if there is a cat in the room! Or place special grilles (not meshes!) in the openings.
To provide the coon with sufficient physical activity, the owner needs to think about purchasing a special play complex for cats. It should be high enough, but stable, with wide, spacious areas, hammocks or houses where the animal can relax and retire. At the same time, such a complex will act as a scratching post, keeping the upholstery of your furniture safe and sound. Such devices can be bought at a pet store or made to order. Many manufacturers have special lines for giant cats. Give preference to these, although they are somewhat more expensive. But your cat is also unusual, isn’t it?
If we talk about nicknames that are suitable for Maine Coons, then such a majestic animal needs an appropriate name. Among boys, Duke, Count, Viscount, Martin, Mars, Admiral, Patrick, Sean, Askold are often found. The girls are called Duchess, Adele, Olivia, Quinn, Stella, Ursa, Martha.
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How to make friends between a cat and a dog in an apartment or house - is it possible?
Among people there are lovers of cats and dogs at the same time. And these animals, by their nature, do not get along very well with each other. But this is only at first glance: in fact, there are dogs that easily get along with mustachioed neighbors in the same apartment.
But their owners helped them take the first steps towards friendship. A lot depends on a person’s behavior, especially at the beginning of a meeting. You need to be patient and follow simple recommendations that will help make friends with animals and avoid outright conflicts.
Hygiene and health
Maine Coons, due to their natural origin, are quite unpretentious, however, their long hair with a thick undercoat requires appropriate care, otherwise tangles cannot be avoided, which cause discomfort to the animal and look untidy. To prevent their formation, brush your cat twice a week, paying special attention to the armpits, belly and panties. It is advisable to accustom the kitten to the procedure from childhood so that problems do not arise in adulthood.
You should wash your pet as soon as it gets dirty. As a rule, problems arise with this because coons love water, although there are exceptions here.
Keep an eye on your pet's eyes and ears - they should be clean and free of discharge.
These smart giants have no problems with toilet training. Kittens learn basic skills from their parents, and they come to their new home with the correct ideas about “dos” and “don’ts.” The only thing the owner has to worry about is purchasing the right tray. It should be deep and roomy. The ideal option is a toilet house. A special filter is built into its “roof” that absorbs foreign odors. There are no special requirements regarding the choice of litter - everyone chooses the option that seems more convenient and suits a particular cat.
In general, Maine Coons are characterized by fairly good health, but they have their own special diseases. In particular, cats and cats of this breed are susceptible to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. It mainly affects older animals, but the pathology also occurs at a young age. In addition, due to their large size and significant weight, representatives of the breed experience problems with the musculoskeletal system, so it is strictly forbidden to overfeed your pet and allow the development of obesity.
The average lifespan of a coon is 12–14 years, but some individuals lived up to 18.
Activity
Maine Coon cats prefer to lead an active, active lifestyle. They are very curious and playful from kitten age to old age. But in order for these large animals to frolic to their heart's content, they need a lot of free space.
Maine Coons need physical activity no less than proper nutrition. Their muscular system requires constant movement. During the game, these predators emulate the process of hunting. In order to please your beloved Maine Coon, you will need to prepare a suitable victim for him so that the cat can sneak up on it, track it, and wait. A radio-controlled toy wrapped in something soft enough to protect your cat's teeth from damage is ideal.
Maine Coons are inherently large forest hunters. Therefore, they need frequent walks in the fresh air. But when walking with you, they will behave more like dogs. These cats easily tolerate the collar and do not try to escape or climb a tree.
Errors and prohibited actions
Inexperienced owners often do not understand what to do in a given problem situation and make mistakes. The most common mistakes and prohibited actions include:
Incorrect feeding. If the bowls are nearby, then someone will definitely try to steal part of someone else's portion.
Uncontrolled first acquaintance. It is dangerous to let a cat interact freely with a dog, as this can cause a serious fight and severe injuries.
Lack of separate space. Mustachioed household members are introverts by nature. They are tired and irritated by prolonged communication, so attacks of aggression are possible. It is advisable to provide your cat with a comfortable bed on a hill.
Petting. A fight that happens once will be remembered by the pets forever. The owner's incorrect reaction (punishing only one pet or rewarding both) will provoke a repetition of the situation.
Scolding and punishment for a negative attitude towards a neighbor. Punishing one pet because it is not yet accustomed to the second pet is a pointless and harmful activity. This will only increase the level of jealousy and lead to new conflicts.
It is important to understand that animals always remain animals, so conflict situations cannot be completely avoided. Often fights between individuals of different ages will occur for educational purposes. The owner needs to recognize excessive aggression in time and prevent its repetition in the future.
Home improvement is the key to friendly coexistence
The success of pets living together depends entirely on the arrangement of their home. Neighbors in an apartment or house may have different preferences in feeding, walking, and playing. A caring owner should know and take all this into account.
Organization of feeding
Cats and dogs have slightly different attitudes towards food. The first one calmly eats as much food as he currently wants, without a doubt setting aside excess food in the bowl. The second one strives to eat not only all of his food, but also to lick his friend’s bowl.
To prevent this from happening, it is recommended to remove plates with leftover food and set them out strictly by the clock when feeding time comes. Owners have to closely monitor how their pets eat and prevent malnutrition in one and overeating in the other.
Resolution of territorial disputes
Often “military” actions between pets arise due to the division of territory and clarification of positions about who is in charge in this house after the owner. The place of contention can be the kitchen, a soft sofa, or just a rug by the bed. The animals begin to snarl and hiss at each other, sometimes it can lead to a fight.
Only control on the part of the owner will help to avoid conflicts. A person will have to demand order from the tailed household members. All attempts to occupy a neighbor's sunbed must be stopped by showing authority. The head of the house is the owner, and only he can own the territory. Thanks to attention to the problem, over time it will be possible to ensure relatively normal cohabitation of animals in the same territory.
Walks
Walking is an important part of keeping a four-legged friend. But cats either walk on their own or are constantly indoors. Because of this, the mustaches begin to suffer and feel that they are receiving less attention.
To prevent this from happening, after a walk with the dog you need to pay enough attention to the cat. You can play with him or pick him up and walk around the apartment. Then your furry friend will feel that he is loved too.
How to share your owner's attention without causing jealousy
Even pets who have become friends do not agree to share the attention of a loved one. If a tidbit is given, then two at a time. The same goes for everything else: games, food, affection, time spent together.
If you need to do something for only one pet (give a tasty vitamin, comb it, etc.), you need to do it away from the eyes of the second one. It is better to slowly close yourself in another room and carry out manipulations there.
It is advisable to spend your free hours after work communicating with your cat and dog, while involving them in a common game. Even watching TV will be accompanied by lying on the couch together. Only equal attention from a person to two pets at once can bring peace and tranquility to the house.
