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Looking to add a new member to your family? It is increasingly common to find animal lovers who do not restrict themselves to being exclusively dog or cat people. Such people, like you, want to welcome both species into their lives and homes. However, as there can be significant problems between the two, a few points should be taken into consideration before trying to live with both. Carefully research the dog's prey drive, previous socialization with cats, obedience training, and the cat's previous experience with dogs before you make your decision.

Some dogs have a strong prey drive. Prey drive is the canine instinct that causes them to obsessively chase moving objects. This is what drives dogs to chase balls, Frisbees, squirrels, birds, and cars. Greyhound training in particular accesses this drive; it's what makes the hounds run after the mechanical rabbit. In dogs with a high prey drive, a cat looks like a perfect target, so testing how strong a dog's prey drive is before introducing him to a cat is important. If you already own the dog, test her on other cats first before buying one to bring home. If you trying to introduce the dog, be prepared to test several on your own cat. Always have the dog on a short leash for these tests, and observe your dog's reaction carefully. If the dog reacts cautiously or in a gentle, friendly fashion, you'll be able to introduce a new cat into your house. However, if the dog tries to chase or gets overly excited, you'll want to work with him or, if adopting a new dog, try a different one. Some dogs can be taught rituals to interact with cats inside the home given enough time, however, some have too strong a prey drive and will not be able to get along. For the physical and psychological good of the cat in question, please be honest about the dog's capabilities, whichever breed is new to your home.

Cats frequently come with previous negative conditioning regarding dogs, and
de-clawed cats cannot defend themselves from overly enthusiastic dogs. If possible, research the cat's history before introducing canine friends. Cats who experienced previous trauma from dogs may not ever be able to tolerate their company, no matter how gentle the dog. If the cat seems overly skittish or aggressive, or if the cat is de-clawed, please reconsider. Psychological stress can be deadly to our feline companions. Cats are much less trainable than dogs, and they have absolutely no motivation to change their views.

Be aware that dog breed impacts

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