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Although often considered natural enemies cats and dogs can get along. With the right introduction into your family home the two can live a comfortable and often affectionate existence. These unlikely siblings have individual needs for attention and care. You cannot expect miracles from day one, but with patience and consideration you can create a warm home for your cat and your dog.

How Your Dog May React
The most important thing to remember is that the natural instinct for a dog is to give chase. This tends to come from curiosity rather than a desire to harm. Depending on your dog's upbringing and breed they may act in different ways but their overenthusiastic attention to a newcomer can be frightening for your new cat. Dogs often approach cats with an aggressive or playful demeanor. Both instinctive approaches are boisterous and noisy. Cats, which naturally prefer calm and quiet, can be overwhelmed and uncertain of your dogs. It is important to remember that some breeds were created as natural hunters and protectors. A cat can seem threatening to these animals and it may always be dangerous to leave these animals unattended.

You Cat Needs Alone Time
Cats need a quiet opportunity to explore their new home. It's important to make this a safe experience. Provide all of your cat's needs in a single room and keep your dog away. Make sure you give your cat a safe retreat. Have a comfortable basket or box at a level you dog cannot intrude. Make sure you cat is familiar with this escape before you begin to introduce the two animals.

Give your cat the freedom to explore this one room alone. He'll want to become familiar with the strange smells of his new home and by restricting him to a single room you provide a safe, secure environment to grow accustomed to. These early days are vital for imprinting a sense of home and territory in your cat. Make sure this room is secure because in until your cat has accepted his new environment he will tend to stray.

After about four days of solitude you can slowly introduce you cat into other rooms of the house. When you do finally allow your cat to venture into the house carefully monitor both animals. It is a good idea to alternate their accommodations occasionally. Have your dog kept in the room while you allow your cat to roam the house. This allows both animals a chance to inspect each other's scents without a physical confrontation. Sharing other items that have the animal's scents of them can be a good idea as well.

These early

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