Can cats and dogs live in paw-fect harmony? -National Cat Day October 29th – DGWGO

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With the rise of dog ownership in recent years, Dog Trust have explored how pet owners introduce their new puppies to their cat companions, and how they behave. To mark National Cat Day on 29th October, we have shared our recent findings.
Using data from its ground-breaking Generation Pup research, a cohort study of canine health, behaviour and welfare – the charity found over a quarter of puppies (26.7%) joined a home with at least one cat.
From the study we found that owners introduced their puppies to their existing household feline friends at different speeds – only 40.2% did so gradually, and the remaining introduced them during the puppy’s first day in their new home. Mostly the pups behaved by playing, being over-excited and chasing their fellow furry housemate. Although to the puppy, these behaviours may be friendly, they might not be perceived as such to the resident cat. Puppies were more likely to show only desirable behaviour towards the cats – from the feline perspective – such as remaining calm and uninterested, if they were introduced under 12-weeks-old, gradually and/or if they lived in a household with another dog.
Understanding the relationship between our four-legged friends is an important aspect of our work in trying to reduce the number of people who give up their dogs because of behaviour issues, as well as to help ensure that both animals are content in each other’s company.
Dr Sara Owczarczak-Garstecka and Rachel Kinsman who led the study said: Cats and dogs are extremely popular pets, and although they can live amicably together, understanding their relationships is highly important because the quality of the relationships can impact both animals’ welfare and potentially the owners’ wellbeing too. Owners for both pets need to understand cat and dog interactions to bust the myth that they don’t get along with each other. They also need to be aware of their dog’s and cat’s body language and recognise signs of stress. Participants in the study have shared some charming insight on the growing relationship between their furry housemates with comments including “[At] times they play very gently or play jointly with a toy, sometimes they sleep together” and “There’s a little bit of grooming each other. And they often fall asleep next to each other.”
Dr Sara Owczarczak-Garstecka and Rachel Kinsman
Canine Behaviour Research Studies
The full research paper can be viewed by clicking on the button below.
For advice on cats and dogs living together visit our page below and to read more about Generation Pup and sign up click on the link.
Here’s how to to introduce dogs and cats so they feel comfortable and safe.
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