Cats and dogs can be the best of friends and spend very little of their time fighting. It may not fit the stereotype very well, but you don’t have to fear that your pets will fight constantly. Here are a few reasons why your pets can get along.

1. They Can Have Similar Temperaments

If you get two easygoing pets, then they will likely relax together. They won’t feel the need to constantly argue or chase after one another. The breed of animals you get play a big role in this. Dogs like boxers, Dobermans, Chihuahuas and German Shepherds tend to have rough and tough dispositions. They bark often and at every little provocation, so expecting them to get along with most cats is simply out of the question. If you choose a nice family dog, however, like a Labrador, dachshund, collie or husky, you will have a great companion for your cat. Read up on the temperament of any breed of cat or dog you are looking to get before you introduce it into a home that already has a pet of another kind. That way, you can help ease them into the environment and ensure that your pets will get along. 

2.  They Grow up Together

Pets that are part of your family at a young age will be better able to adjust to changes in their environment. If you get the dog and cat together, when they are both young, they can learn to get along. They may not get along right away, but they will learn to live with one another and be friends after some time. The key to getting just about any kind of dog or cat to be friendly toward one another is to introduce them to one another at a young age. They are less likely to perceive one another as a threat at that stage. 

3. You Keep the Dog Entertained

A lot of fighting between cats and dogs start when the dog tries to play with the cat. Cats are naturally independent and not prone to play with other animals. Your dog wanting to play can seem threatening to your cat, so if you take the time to play with your dog, take it for walks and wear it out, it will be less likely to cause problems with the cat. 

About the author: Ron Wolff is a content editor at pupjunkies.com – a site for happy, healthy, and adventurous dogs who are fuelled by nature.