Do Tell: Fast Friends or Fighting Like Cats and Dogs?

September 12, 2008

It wouldn't be a kitty idiom for nothing, right? Although we know plenty of pets that fight like cats and dogs, a recent study at Tel Aviv University found that two-thirds of the 200 polled pet parents to both reported a positive relationship between the species!
Turns out age is much more than a number – If your pets are introduced when less than six months for kittens and a year for dogs, they could easily become fast friends according to a statement from Joseph Terkel of the school's department of zoology:

This is the first time anyone has done scientific research on pets living in the same home. It's especially relevant to the one-third of Americans who own a pet and are thinking about adopting a second one of the opposite species.

Do you think cats and dogs can be BFF or at least squabble-free roomies?

Source

Do Tell Opinion

11 Comments

Megbucks3 4 years 36 weeks

I'm not sure if I would claim that my dog and cat along "great". In the beginning when I brought Charlie home as a puppy, the cat would chase him. The cat, Nugent, is 5-6 years old and was fine around my parent's dog that would occasionally come stay with us. The cat has also been great around all dogs. So when I brought home Charlie, he chased Charlie. These days the dog loves to chase the cat and the cat will roll on his back and smack the dog on the nose. Sometimes I worry that the play gets too rough but I've also witnessed the cat go to the dogs cage and poke at him and he's gone up to the dogs tail and bitten it and then run away. I think it's a love hate relationship between the two of them. I'm hoping when Charlie survives puppy hood, the family will be more harmonious. :)

Kitty Geek 4 years 36 weeks

My cat (Meeka) and dog (Zoey) get along great. Zoey was 7 yrs old when Meeka came here as a kitten. Meeka went right up to Zoey with no problem (and she's a big doggy...an American Mastiff). It's like she had no idea she was a dog. She accepting her right away. I had a problem getting Meeka to drink from a bowl at first, and she tried to suckle off of the dog (I felt SO bad ugh). Zoey didn't mind at all either.

wren 4 years 36 weeks

Usually they get along well, but sometimes the cat takes swipes at my dog :(

lawchick 4 years 36 weeks

our old dog, middle-aged cat, and kitten all get along ok. the cats and the dog will probably never be "friends," but I'm glad I don't have to worry about the cats getting hurt when left alone with the (cranky, 85-lb) dog. (it took a few months for the three of them to adjust to each other. it was by far hardest on the older cat.)

Stupidasscat 4 years 36 weeks

It took awhile (close to a year) for our older grouchy cat to realize our dog whas there to stay and only a couple of months for our younger cat. But now we have a new puppy and the older cat (maybe wiser) has taken to her faster (little more than a week) where he will walk by her and not freak out but our younger cat still freaks out. I say just give it time and your other pets plenty of love and all will become loving brothers and sisters in due time.

plus_2_kid 4 years 36 weeks

ps it was the older cat who never adjusted to our dog - my parents love the dog just fine!!!

plus_2_kid 4 years 36 weeks

We just introduced a 4 month old kitten to a 3 year old boxer. We had to leave an older cat with my parents who never adjusted to our boxer when we got her a few years ago. I've had 2 trainers come in and read a few books and we've made great progress but still have a way to go. Moxie (cat) is only 4 pounds and Timber (dog) is 65 pounds. I've had to teach the dog: 1) not to obsess. She was essentially hyperventilating the entire time from the excitement/fear/stress of the new cat 2) how to play GENTLY with the kitten. One "playful swat" could break the cat's back. It's been an utterly exhausting, 24/7 endeavour but I'm amazed at the distance they've come in just 2 weeks. Timber has adjusted to the cat IN the house - in the yard Timber reverts to chase/attack mode so we're still working on that. Lucky for us the kitten is fearless, and/or has a memory span of 2 minutes. Thus her name: Moxie. She'll rule the dog in a few years.

Rally RE 4 years 36 weeks

my two dogs and cat are buddies but it's cler who is the boss - the cat. of course there are occasional games of 'chase kitty' but more often than not kitty is in charge.

bchicgrl 4 years 36 weeks

I think this may be true but with my moms case its a little different and actually quite surprising, she has my dog (whos 6/7)with her since i couldn't her with me to CA from PA. She got a 2/3 yr old cat about a yr ago and my dog has never been around cats because our other dogs hated them. Now her and the cat are best of friends its crazy.

Bksuga 4 years 36 weeks

My doggie and kitty are cool, panther(kitty) will let malano(doggie) when he to excited but other wise they can be so cute together see... http://teamsugar.com/gallery/view/1872012?page=0,3,0&show=large

Lovely_1 4 years 36 weeks

Well my kitty was a year old when we brought our puppy home, BUT thye adore each other! They run around and play games and sometimes, yes, Kitten can be mean and hurts her...but Rosie will learn!

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