Warum wir Anteile verdrängen – Psychologische Ursachen & innere Schutzmechanismen

Whether a dog is suitable for living together with other pets depends on breed and character. Animals of different species must be accustomed to each other so that no one is harmed.

Dogs and Cats

Due to the different body language, both animal species can quickly misinterpret the signals of the other. For example, while a dog's tail wagging means joy, a cat's tail whipping around indicates a conflict situation and possibly an attack. When dogs and cats grow up together, they usually learn very quickly to interpret each other's signals correctly. If the two four-legged friends meet in adulthood, they first have to learn this. In addition, the dog's strong hunting instinct, especially in hunting dogs and terriers, often stands in the way of a harmonious coexistence. However, the size of the dog does not play a role, because many cats get along better with large dogs than with small, hectic dogs.

If a dog joins an adult cat, the cat will in most cases first run away or oppose the intruder with hissing and extended claws. This can quickly lead to a bloody attack on the dog. To avoid this, encounters in the first few days should only take place in a controlled manner in the presence of the pet owner.

If the dog behaves in a friendly manner towards the cat, it should receive praise and the cat should also receive a food reward in the presence of the dog, so that a positive impression remains even with the unimpressive cats. How the getting to know each other proceeds varies from case to case and depends on the temperament of the parties involved. Two balanced, peaceful four-legged friends can get used to each other very quickly and without stress, while dominant or fearful animals go through a longer process. The owner can contribute to a successful reunion by giving equal attention to both and by reacting calmly in tense situations.

If a cat joins the resident canine, socialization is often easier than in the opposite case. To avoid bad experiences, the owner must make sure that the cat is not chased or hurt while playing. In addition, the cat should be able to escape to a safe place at any time.

As a rule, those involved tolerate each other's presence within a few weeks, and it is not uncommon for close friendships to develop between dog and cat. If they cannot get along with each other even after weeks or if one of the animals suffers from the situation, professional help should be sought. However, there are dogs as well as cats that are not compatible with representatives of the other species due to their character or bad experiences. Then it is better to give one of the animals to a good place than to subject both to permanent stress.

In any case, the feeding areas of dogs and cats should be separated to avoid food envy. In addition, both animal species need different food, so that eating each other's food can lead to health problems. If the dog shows interest in the litter tray or its contents, it must be kept away from it.

Dogs and small animals

Small animals such as rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, mice or even rats are part of the dog's prey pattern and trigger his hunting instinct through their natural flight reaction. However, living together can work if the dog does not have too strong a hunting instinct and is well trained.

A reunion is usually unproblematic if small animals already live in the household and a puppy is added. For the first contact, the dog should be on a leash and the small animals in a secure cage or enclosure. The dog is allowed to watch and sniff them through the bars. The owner must immediately stop any stormy approach or barking. If the dog behaves in a friendly and calm manner, it deserves praise and reward. As soon as the four-legged friend sees his fellow inhabitants as a matter of course, he should be allowed to get to know them outside the enclosure under supervision and on a leash.

With adult dogs, you should pay close attention to signs of hunting instinct. If it becomes apparent that the dog might regard the small animal roommate as a meal to be hunted, it should only be allowed to stay in the same room under supervision. Even with peaceful dogs, caution is advised, because a squeaking guinea pig can quickly trigger the play instinct and a playful paw blow often has tragic consequences for a small animal.

Dogs and small animals can develop the most amazing friendships, but the following always applies: safety before trust!

All information without guarantee.