General Care and Nursing

Dogs and cats need not be enemies, although they are often made so by thoughtless owners who shout “Sic’im” to the dog every time he sees a cat. Don’t ever be guilty of doing this !
When introduced carefully, and especially when puppy and kitten grow up together, they become firm friends. True, some dogs chase after cats at eh slightest opportunity. The cat flees, the dog legs if after him. That is precisely why he does it, because movement excites the age-old desire to pursue. The cat in the home, however, will affect a dog differently, it is an animal to be sniffed, investigated, and finally accepted with affection.

When bringing a cat into a home where there is a dog. It’s good idea to keep them in separate rooms for a few days. In that way, the dog can smell the presence of a cat. Then when they are brought together they are more prepared for the introduction.

A kitten and a puppy of fairly equal age apparently do not recognize each other as cat and dog but merely as playmates. When a kitten is brought into a grown dog’s family circle, or a puppy is added to an adult cat’s household, the resident pet and the newcomer immediately become competitors for attention and affection. If you get a cat when your dog is already grown, choose a kitten, cuddle him securely in your arms, and let the dog see and smell him. Pay lavish attention to the dog, as jealousy can be a problem. If the new arrival gets all the attention, the dog will feel threatened and may refuse to eat or become destructive. Separate the two after the first meeting. For the next week, allow the pair to get closer with each encounter, until they become friends.