🐈 Cats are all about territory and the resources within that territory are super important to them. Resources include food, water, toileting area, scratching outlets, beds and perching areas, toys and even people (and some cats have more).
🐕 If access to these become difficult - e.g. if a puppy comes sniffing around when they want to use them - it can harm their relationship with the dog. The cat is forced to be around the dog as they want the food - not ideal!
🐈 This can also harm their mental and physical well-being as their normal activities (e.g. eating) become stressful. Behaviour problems will not be far behind. Many cats boycott the litter tray with a dog is nearby and pee in safer places such as up on the bed or in the sink.
🐕 Keep permanent separate areas for your cats and dogs, with communal areas in between where possible. Baby gates and cats flaps on internal doors are great for this, and high places can be used at a push, as long as they are easy to get to.
🐈 Ensuring the basic needs of both your cat and dog’s are suitably met will give you a good foundation to work on building their relationship.
#catsanddogs #catbehaviourist
