Puppy and Kitten Fast Asleep

About this drawing

The phrase fighting like cats and dogs does not always hold up, as a cat and dog sleeping together prove. These two do start out at a disadvantage. Dogs descend from pack animals, while cats come from solitary hunters. Still, many of them become close companions.

Much of the trouble comes down to mixed signals. A wagging tail usually means a dog is excited or friendly, but a swishing tail often means a cat is annoyed. When a dog bounds forward to play, a cat may read it as an attack. Each one has to learn what the other is really saying.

Early introductions help. Animals that meet while young, before about six months old, tend to accept each other more easily. Adults can do it as well, but it takes time. Experts suggest swapping scents first with a blanket, letting them sniff under a door, and then holding short meetings with the dog on a leash. Treats for both pets make each visit a good memory.

The cat should always have an escape route, such as a tall perch or a room that the dog cannot enter. A cat that feels it can leave is much more likely to stay. Over time, many pairs will share a couch or groom each other. Falling asleep side by side is about as much trust as an animal can show, since sleep is when it is most vulnerable.

• cat
• dog
• pet friendship
• bedroom